Windows CE has a big future

Next week, Microsoft will host its Windows CE developer's conference whereit will outline directions it is taking with Windows CE 2.0. Additionally,Microsoft will demonstrate a wallet-sized computer and an onboard automobile device that run CE. The wallet-sized system--code-named "Gryphon"--will make its public debut at Spring Comdex next month in Atlanta. The automobile device--code-named "Apollo"--has a speech-baseduser interface. Both devices use version 2.0 of Windows CE, which is duelater this year.

Casio, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, NEC and Philips all manufactureWindows CE 1.x-based devices and these same companies are expected to announce CE 2.0 devices--including Apollo and Gryphon devices--within thenext two months. Current users of Windows CE devices will be happy to hearthat they can upgrade to 2.0 although it's primary goal is to open the OSto other form factors. Windows CE 2.0 will support 24-bit color, DirectX,ActiveX, and COM. It will ship with Internet Explorer 4.0, and new versionsof its bundled personal information software and personal office applications as well.

Windows CE will support Visual Basic and Java software development inaddition to the Visual C++ 4.2/5.0-based development already available.Conference attendees will receive an advance version of the ActiveX control development kit for Windows CE 2.0.

Microsoft expects to have Windows CE 2.0 running on WebTV by the end of1997. Additionally, Windows CE will be used as the operating system inthe Windows Terminal machines