Microsoft unveils Windows CE Driver Databases

Microsoft has announced two new online databases that list Windows CE drivers and BSPs (board support packages). The "regularly updated" databases are easily searchable by product category, manufacturer, processor family, and other relevant parameters, according to the company.

Microsoft describes the online driver database as "an extensive list of device drivers supported on Windows Embedded CE from Microsoft, Windows Embedded Partners, and third-party manufacturers." According to the company, the drivers listed are divided into three types:

• PQD -- These "product quality developed" drivers were developed and distributed by Microsoft, and are incorporated into Microsoft's IDE (integrated development environment)
  
  
• Microsoft-validated -- These are third-party drivers that were submitted to Microsoft via its Windows Embedded CE validation program, and passed standard quality performance tests
  
  
• Non-validated-- These are third-party drivers that were not submitted to Microsoft for validation, but which are posted on the list "to generate product awareness"

Pull-down menus, as shown on the screenshot below, allow searching the driver database by validation status, Windows CE version, product category, and manufacturer. A "description" field describes each driver, and links to supplemental manufacturer information, if available.



Meanwhile, Microsoft's BSP (board support package) database provides "an extensive list of BSPs supported on Windows Embedded CE," according to the company. Pull-down menus allow searching the BSP database by Windows CE version, CPU name, processor family (such as MIPS, Xscale, or x86), and certification status, says Microsoft.

In addition, check boxes allow users of the database to narrow down their search by one or more target device categories. Device categories in the database are listed in the following order:

• GPS
  
• Medical systems
  
• VoIP
  
• Thin client
  
• Kiosk
  
• Printer
  
• Gaming
  
• Handheld terminal
  
• Datacom
  
• Digital media player
  
• Digital TV
  
• Projector
  
• DVD player
  
• Test and measurement
  
• STB (set-top box)
  
• POS terminal
  
• Digital camera
  
• Digital video player/recorder
  
• Industrial and building automation
  
• Other

The browser-based list of results, used by both the drivers and BSP databases, can be sorted any way a user wishes, simply by clicking on any column heading. Another useful feature is the ability to subscribe to an RSS feed that provides notification of new drivers or BSPs, according to Microsoft.

Driver database link

The future of Windows Embedded ?

What about the future, the future of Windows Embedded drawn?  I have a lot of people are curious. But when the announcement OEM technical seminars twice yearly for those who just confusing, and I tried to express a picture of a beautiful chapter. This information is last week's Directions on Microsoft, announced in a magazine about a reference.

So far, and Windows Embedded OS platform is a lot of cases, the new name was used a lot of confusion caused to customers both in a series of Windows Embedded cleanup.

First, Windows CE is named Windows Embedded Compact will change. The new version is the end of 2009 or 2010 bomjjeumeuro expectations. Currently codenamed Windows Embedded "7" in progress. Meanwhile, Windows CE-based personal navigation device embedded with the new platform, Windows Embedded NavReady 2009, designed in 2008 has been announced officially in June.

Second, Microsoft's Smartphone platform, called and the next generation of Windows Mobile "7" is scheduled to announce the years of 2009.  In the meantime, this version of the Windows CE 1.0 kernel when it was used to smash through integration into the kernel bulryeojin addition to the kernel and Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 will enable users to more easily and conveniently to improve and expand UX. Yet because the veil ssatyeojyeo OEM / ODM sa upcoming autumn comes, you can not tell you besides Preview SDK is a lot of news to tell you when the announcement is expected to pass.

Thirdly, I introduced the Auto 3.0 is acquainted, Ford, such as automobile manufacturing company that will be used much more. In particular, the Korean Hyundai and Kia Motors are expected to come from the planned baipnida.  Also, Windows Embedded Compact (CE 6.0) based on the version.

MS released Ebook of Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Fundamentals

MS has released a free ebook of windows embedded ce6 fundamentals book.
All u need a hotmail account to download this.

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Fundamentals Authors: Stanislav Pavlov and Pavel Belevsky Published: 07/30/2008 ISBN: 9780735626256 Publisher: Microsoft Press

Contents at a Glance
1 Introduction
2 Operating System and Application Development Tools
3 Operating System Architecture
4 Build System
5 Board Support Package (BSP)
6 Driver Architecture
7 Starting the Operating System
8 Building Devices
9 Application Development
10 Testing Operating System Images
Glossary


link to download