In an effort to increase the number of devices that use Windows CE and to stave off a growing threat from Linux in small devices, Microsoft has created a low-cost version of Windows CE NET 4.2. Priced at US$3 or less, Windows CE .NET 4.2 Core (the other versions are Professional and Professional Plus) lacks some of the applications included in pricier versions of CE, but could be used in a wide variety of consumer and networked devices.

The price of the Professional and Professional Plus versions is not public and it varies by the OS and other software components used. However, a CE license is estimated to cost between US$7 and US$70.

Core for Mass-Market Devices

CE Core is aimed at business-oriented devices, such as gateways, entry-level voice-over-IP (VoIP) phones, and industrial automation equipment, and some consumer electronic devices, such as CD players, digital cameras, and networked DVD players.

Although it is less than half the price of other versions, Core is a substantial subset of the Professional and Professional Plus versions of Windows CE .NET 4.2. It includes all of the C libraries and runtimes, Microsoft Message Queuing (MSMQ), a full set of XML capabilities, and clients and servers for Web services that use the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), among other things.

Core would not be suitable for devices intended to function as personal digital assistants (PDAs), because it lacks many end-user applications, but it could be used for more specialized handheld devices. For example, it does not include a browser, applications (such as the Pocket editions of Word, Excel, and Outlook), or file viewers for those and other applications (which are only in the Professional Plus version), but it does include SQL Server 2000 Windows CE Edition, all Windows CE fonts (including Asian fonts), Direct3D, DirectDraw, DirectShow, a terminal emulator, and even Solitaire.

Windows Media Player is missing, but CE Core could still be used in a portable audio or video player, thanks to its support for the full set of Windows Media technologies and codecs as well as codecs for MPEG, QuickTime, and DVD video.

CE Core also supports several wireless protocols (including 802.11), Microsoft's speech and telephony APIs, VoIP, most Bluetooth capabilities, printing, Smart Cards, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and handwriting recognition in some languages.

Pricing Strategy Shows Linux Concern

The new pricing signals a concern that Windows CE, though popular in some categories, such as network terminals, is not competitive in price-sensitive markets, such as mass-market consumer items like telephones and electronics. In any device with a retail price lower than US$100, for example, even the cheapest CE Professional license would probably be one of the most expensive components in the device. Microsoft hopes the low price of CE Core will prompt more developers to give it a look-and perhaps eventually move up to the Professional Edition to get a Web browser or other end-user applications.

Microsoft is particularly concerned that Linux might continue to gain ground as an OS for small devices. Linux was recently selected by Motorola as the base OS for the company's future cell phones, for example. Although Microsoft says CE has an advantage with lower-priced development tools, vendors like Motorola that are aiming for larger production runs are likely to find that the difference in per-device licensing costs between Linux and Windows CE quickly erased the difference in development tool costs. CE's new pricing reduces this Linux advantage.

Availability and Resources

A new Windows CE evaluation kit (for no charge except shipping and handling fees), as well as a free downloadable Emulation Edition, which allows developers to build and distribute applications with no licensing cost for noncommercial purposes and evaluation, can be obtained from www.microsoft.com/windows/Embedded/ce.NET/evaluation/trial/evalkit.asp.

More information about licensing CE .NET 4.2 (CE .NET is sold through a special distribution channel) is at www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce.net/howtobuy/sku.asp.

A document listing the differences between the Core, Professional, and Professional Plus versions can be found at www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/docs/ce.net/WindowsCE4.2_Runtime_Comparison.doc.