Who is going to win the race?

In the wake of the embedded world and CeBIT Microsoft announced details of the next version of Microsoft Auto last week.

According to Microsoft, the new automotive infotainment software platform, will support x86 processors like Intel's Atom Z5xx in addition to ARM and SH processors. This "most comprehensive release ever" will also offer a standard interface for broadcast radio tuners as well as CD playback and ripping support and is to be available during this spring.

But, this was not the only announcement made last week: An open source alliance, codename GENIVI, was also announced with the aim to build an open source In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) reference platform and planning to have its first fully tested reference model available this summer. This platform will also support Intel's Atom Z5xx and will be running Wind River Linux.

So now, we have seen what is "under the hood" let's have a look at the "wheels":

For Microsoft we have Fiat's Blue & Me running in Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Fiat brands as well as Ford's Sync and Ford Work Solutions already on the road and OEM's such as Hyundai and Kia who have also announced plans to offer Microsoft technology. And the soft- and hardware partners are EB, Continental, Magnetti Marelli, Nuance, MPC Data, K2L and more.

GENIVI has just been founded so there is nothing on the road at the moment, but with big OEM's like the BMW Group, General Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroën this is surely only going to be a matter of time. Other members of the alliance are Visteon, Wind River, Delphi, Intel and Magneti Marelli.

So the bets are on! Who do you think will win the race?
As for me, I will do the same as I did some years ago and put my money on Microsoft.

So long and thanks for all the fish!
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Windows CE QFEs for month of February 2009 arrived

Hi Folks,

the latest Windows CE updates have been recently released and are available for download. Some critical issues (especially the fix in kernel at Windows CE 6.0) have been resolved so get them now! More information for each update is provided in the Readme document available after the individual update(s) has been installed.

Windows CE 5.0 Platform Builder Monthly Update (February 2009)
Download Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=6be9dd64-2e06-4fc4-8a2d-4a9121c112f2

Download this set of updates for Windows CE 5.0 Platform Builder released during the period of February 1 - February 28, 2009. These updates are fixes for Windows CE operating system problems you run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform.

Fixes made in this update:
Component: COMM
090216_KB967347 - There is a race between the async notification thread timing out and exiting, and a new async notification getting queued. Under certain circumstances the new async notification may get ignored.

Component: Drivers
090212_KB967335 - Memory size returned by SD bus driver is less than actual size.

Component: Security
090224_KB963672 - This update addresses the issue with Schannel authentication.

Component: WININET
090216_KB967751 - In cache, if index.dat is corrupt or there are no cached files in a cache folder, the old cache folder may not be deleted.

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update (February 2009)
Download Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=8ff9994f-9562-4b01-ac7e-8de9f5bd8336

Download this set of updates for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 released during the period of February 1 - February 28, 2009. These updates are fixes for Windows Embedded CE operating system problems you run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform.

Fixes made in this update:
Component: Credential Manager
090226_KB967334 - This update addresses the issue with the memory being freed up multiple times after a warm boot.

Component: DirectX
090226_KB960707 - This change would allow a display driver to override the built-in table with one of its own.

Component: Drivers
090216_KB967106 - This update addresses some issues with MSFlash driver.

Component: Internet Explorer
090226_KB968092 - This update addresses an issue with incorrect handling of XML tags.

Component: OSTools
090209_KB963076 - When running makeimg tool on Windows Vista, cenlscmp.exe may stop working.

Component: Kernel
090212_KB961933 - Calling LoadLibrary for an executable may result in successful return code even though load fails.

Component: RDP
090211_KB963681 - Serial Redirection in RDP session may not work properly.

Component: Security
090224_KB963674 - This update addresses the issue with Schannel authentication.

Component: URLMON
090212_KB961074 - Internet Explorer may not recognize certain registered file extensions even after the plug-ins have been installed.

Keep your OS up to date!
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Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 Training in Erlangen - Reminder

EB - Windows Embedded Gold and Training Partner - is offering a Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 Training course from March 24th - March 25th at Erlangen / Germany.

Whether you would just like to get a basic overview of Windows Embedded CE or if you prefer a "dive in the deep end", this course will provide you with a valuable insight on building an image, developing drivers and writing applications. Moreover it will give you the possibility to learn best practices by "chatting" with the experts.

To register simply go to the EB registration site here and if you refer to this blog you will also be entitled to a free copy of a Windows CE 6 book, which you can pick up after the training.

So long and thanks for all the fish!
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Impressions from the Embedded World (II)

For those of you who didn't manage to visit the embedded world this year, here are a few visual impressions missing from my last post.


Oh, but wait a minute. Something's wrong! If you can spot something that just can't be right let us know. The first person to spot the mistake will receive a small Windows Embedded care packet.

So long and thanks for all the fish!
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Impressions from the Embedded World

As you know the embedded world took place in Nuremberg last week, and for those of you who were there you will of noticed a few things.

First - I have to say this as all the negative headlines and pessimism around the global finance crisis is really annoying - it was amazing how many people were there. The display area grew by over 5% and the halls were full and bustling during the three days. So if anybody is wondering why CeBit was doing so hard this year, you don't have to look far. I reckon CeBit lost to the smaller but more technical focused Embedded World.
By the way, I'm not the only one who had this impression: click here

So what else was going on?

The Microsoft Auto Business Unit was at the Embedded World for the first time with some of thier Partners showing variuos solutions for the Microsoft Auto Platform (Remember, I blogged about this) and during the three days they also talked about the future of Microsoft Auto in the forums - Gregs Presentation about the Road Ahead was worth listening to and also an extra blog, so stay tuned.

The Windows Embedded Team and their Partners (12 in all) had lots to do - I have never seen the booth so busy - and even I got caught in discussions - must have been the Windows Embedded Gold Partner shirt ;-).
If you asked the right questions, there was some information you could get out of the Microsoft guys concerning Windows Embedded Compact (the next version of Windows Embedded CE) aka CE 7 aka Chelan. I think an interesting bit of information is around the time schedule, as this has been moved to the first quarter of next year - hopefully to add additional features.
Oh, yes: I hear Doug Follet has had a promotion - so Congratulations Doug, next time I'll buy you a beer - and if you haven't been promoted, I'll buy you one as well :-)

If you were looking for .NET MicroFramework you might have got the impression that the hype has died down a bit - but not so - you just had to look a bit more carefully. Pavel blogged about a small community get-together during the Embedded World.

All in all it was a great event and if you haven't already done so, Remember the Date:
March 2nd - 4th, 2010 in Nuremberg!

Oh, yes before I forget: Manoj, remember I'll be taking you out to Mount Lavinia next year - and Olivier you had better come as well ;-).

So long and thanks for all the fish!
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EB authorized as Microsoft Auto Training Partner

EB is one of the first companies authorized to offer training courses for the Microsoft Auto software platform.

"EB qualified itself as a training partner for Microsoft Auto as a software and operating system expert in the automotive sector and on the basis of its long experience as Windows Embedded Gold Partner and a provider of customized training courses."

The guys from EB have already been doing Trainings for OEMs and Tier1s as well as lots of work around the Microsoft Auto 3.0 platform and it's predecessor in projects such as Fiat's Blue&Me or Ford's SYNC platform.

The Trainings will be a mixture of a technical deep-dive into the Windows Embedded operating system and the specialities of the Microsoft Auto platform as well as contain hands-on practical sessions, using the Microsoft Auto 3.0 Development Kit.

Other Microsoft Auto Training Partners are: MPC Data and BSquare.

So long and thanks for all the fish!
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Meet us @ the Embedded world 2009 in Nuremberg

Hi Folks,

Meet Holger and me (no it has nothing to do with “Roger & Me”) @ the Embedded World from March 3rd to March 5th in Nuremberg. You can ask us at the “Microsoft Ask the Expert” discussions which will be held each day from 1pm to 3pm at the “Microsoft Embedded Espresso Lounge”:

Tuesday: Using Windows Embedded to Build Industrial Solutions from Sensors To Servers

Wednesday: How to build custom devices with Windows Embedded Standard

Thursday: Building Real Time Systems with Windows Embedded CE

Of course we will also be around for other discussions and questions.

I am really looking forward to seeing you all and having some very interesting discussions!

Have fun!
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