Microsoft strengthens NT for embedding

Microsoft has announced a version of Windows NT for embedded applications, write Dominique Deckmyn and Caroline Gabriel.

Windows NT Embedded 4.0 will be a full version of NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 with additional features for embedded applications, according to Vince Mendillo, Microsoft?s lead product manager.

The product will be used in devices such as network and telecoms equipment, point-of-sales systems and office equipment such as fax machines and photocopiers.

It will work in systems without a keyboard, mouse, screen, or a disk drive. The devices will be managed remotely.

The announcement follows plans to bring the handheld operating system Windows CE into the embedded arena.

However, while CE will be aimed at small devices and low-end applications, NT Embedded will be geared towards more demanding applications based on standard PC hardware.

A minimal version will run in just over 10Mb of Ram, said Mendillo, but adding services to the kernel will increase the required memory to about 20Mb.

An early alpha version of NT Embedded was released to selected suppliers in September. A more widespread beta release is scheduled for the first quarter of 1999, with commercial availability planned later that year. No prices have been fixed.

Mendillo said feedback from suppliers suggested that the Client Access License model used for other NT versions would not work well in the embedded arena.

While NT Embedded is based on NT 4.0, there will be a follow-up product based on NT 5.0, which has been renamed Windows 2000.

l Meanwhile, Microsoft plans to make CE the focus of a business venture with wireless equipment maker Qualcomm. The creation of a new company is seen as a counterstrike to the Symbian wireless voice/data consortium.

Like Symbian, the venture will look at ways to integrate cellphone and handheld computer technology to offer mobile voice/data services.

Symbian is working to integrate mobile telephones from Nokia, Ericsson and Motorola ? its founders ? with palmtop computers from Psion.

While Symbian bases its efforts on Psion?s Epoc operating system, Microsoft and Qualcomm will focus on Windows CE, the cut-down version of Windows.

Analysts say that early projects will include making data in Microsoft Office accessible from mobile phones, and developing a ?smart phone? incorporating CE and a new micro-browser.

? Report by VNU Newswire.