Windows CE

Windows CE

(operating system)/C E/ A version of the Microsoft Windowsoperating system that is being used in a variety ofembedded products, from handheld PCs to specialisedindustrial controllers and consumer electronic devices.Programming for Windows CE is similar to programming for otherWin32 platforms.

Windows CE was developed to be a customisable operating systemfor embedded applications. Its kernel borrows much fromother Microsoft 32-bit operating systems, while eliminating(or replacing) those operating system features that are notneeded for typical Windows CE-based applications. Forexample, as on Windows NT, all applications running onWindows CE run in a fully preemptive multitaskingenvironment, in fully protected memory spaces.

The Win32 (API) for Windows CE is smaller than the Win32 APIfor the other 32-bit Windows operating systems. It includesapproximately half the interface methods of the Windows NTversion of the API. But the Win32 API for Windows CE alsoincludes features found in no other Microsoft operatingsystem. The notification API, for example, makes it possibleto handle user or application notification events (such astimer events) at the operating-system level, rather than in arunning application. The touch screen API and the built-insupport for the Windows CE database are not found in otherWindows operating systems. The touch screen API makes it easyto manage screen calibration and user interactions fortouch-sensitive displays, while the database API providesaccess to a data storage facility.

http://channels.microsoft.com/windowsce/developer/default.htm.

http://channels.microsoft.com/windowsce/developer/technical/default.htm.

Windows CE

(Windows Consumer Electronics) Microsoft's version of Windows for handheld devices and embedded systems that use x86, ARM, MIPS and SuperH CPUs. Introduced in 1996, Windows CE was renamed "Windows Embedded CE" as of Version 6.0 in 2006 and then renamed "Windows Embedded Compact" in 2008. Nevertheless, most people refer to "Windows CE" or "WinCE."

Windows CE uses the same Win32 programming interface (API) as regular Windows, but can run in less than 1MB of memory. It supports most of the Windows technologies such as .NET Compact Framework, MFC, COM, ActiveX and DirectX. In addition, numerous components are available to developers in source code so that they can be modified for specific platforms. See Windows XP Embedded.

MS Smartphones Were WinCE Until WinPhone 8
Microsoft's first Windows Mobile platform and its second Windows Phone platform, prior to Windows Phone 8, were also based on Windows CE. See Windows Mobile and Windows Phone.

Windows CE on the Clio
The Clio was an innovative Windows CE computer. Released in 1999, it was used as a tablet or a laptop with its built-in keyboard. Developed by Vadem, Ltd., it was later acquired by The Pinax Group. (Image courtesy of The Pinax Group.)

A Windows CE GPS
This Magellan navigation unit runs under Windows CE, offering many of the features of in-dash models, including text-to-speech playback of street names.