Microsoft Windows CE 3.O is designed for smaller devices that have limited memory and processing power, such as retail terminals, mobile handsets, industrial automation devices and GPS receivers. Microsoft’s Windows embedded technologies are capitalizing on the demand for these devices that are now requiring developers to incorporate more connectivity to networks and the Internet, and compatibility with other systems. Platform Builder 3 delivers the tools developers need to build Windows CE-based embedded systems:

• Integrated development environment (IDE) to configure, build and debug highly modular designs.
• eMbedded Visual Tools 3.0, which offers versions of familiar desktop tools Visual Basic and Visual C++, optimized for embedded software development.
• Detailed selection of Windows CE system capabilities to include in a device’s platform. This allows developers to produce leaner code that is better tailored to the precise functions of the embedded system.

• Improved real-time support: This allows the system to prioritize and act upon hundreds of tasks quickly.
• DCOM for Windows CE: Developers can integrate Windows CE-based devices into distributed computing networks.
• A dial-up boot-loader: This allows software updates to be administered remotely.
• A new HTTP server for sending Web-based data: The server enhances Internet support.
• Rich Internet Explorer 4.0
• DirectX and Windows Media

Microsoft also announced reduced pricing of its development tools and a free upgrade to Platform Builder 3.0 for customers using Platform Builder 2.12.