Microsoft moves ahead to Windows CE 2.1

Microsoft will unveil Windows CE 2.1 next week at the Windows CE developersconference in San Jose. Windows CE 2.1 adds support for new processors, ISAEthernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and network printing. Current WindowsCE devices will not be upgradeable to 2.1 initially, although that maychange eventually.

"Win CE 2.1 is not a major upgrade for the Handheld PC, PalmPC or AutoPC.There are, however, new capabilities for an embedded developer," said DougDedo, group product manager for Windows CE.

Windows CE 2.1 is geared toward Windows-based terminal networks and a newclass of sub-notebooks code-named "Jupiter".

New processor support includes support for the ARM 720T, Hitachi SH4, Digital StrongARM SA-1100, IBM PowerPC 403GC, and NEC's VR4111 and VR4300.Microsoft is also offering support for FAT32 formatting on hard drives, making Jupiter sub-notebooks more like Windows 95 systems.