Microsoft charts road map for Windows Embedded systems

Kevin Dallas, general manager of the Windows Embedded Business at Microsoft said it’s all about preconfigured toolkits providing device-makers with “in-demand, market-specific features that allow them to build and ship next-generation smart, connected, service-orientated devices in an accelerated fashion”. It’s also all about energising Microsoft’s partner ecosystem by enabling new business scenarios, and will “help lay the foundation for partners to successfully fulfil our vision of a new generation of smart, connected, service-oriented devices,” he said. The first product release under the new name is to be Windows Embedded Standard, the next generation of Windows XP Embedded, and will be launched simultaneously at TechEd North America and through a global webcast event on June 3. Meanwhile, all currently available Windows Embedded products will be marketed under their current names until their next scheduled product release and will remain available for purchase in line with the standard Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy, according to the company. The Windows Embedded Ready product line for key device categories will include the next generation of Windows Embedded for Point of Service and Windows Embedded POSReady.