Windows CE .NET 4.2 Goes Gold

At the Embedded Systems Conference in San Francisco this week, Microsoft announced that Windows CE .NET version 4.2 has been released to manufacturing. Over 60 companies such as Toshiba and Samsung took part in development of the embedded operating system, code-named McKendric.

Windows CE .NET 4.2 boasts increased security and kernel enhancements including a new compression engine and flexible cache flushing. McKendric adds support for Internet Protocol Firewall and IPsec, as well as providing a full graphical interface for telephony.

"This release includes new features including the recently announced feature enhancements and capabilities for VoIP, set-top box and Premium Source licensing," a company spokesperson told BetaNews.

The 4.2 release also ships with Internet Explorer 6 for Windows CE and Windows Media 9 Series for playback of digital media.

Microsoft says it is "sharing a list of early development partners working with the company to create the next generation of hardware devices and embedded software applications that realize faster performance, are more tightly integrated with other Windows technologies, and achieve greater compatibility across Windows CE-based devices."

Windows CE .NET 4.2 evaluation kits are being handed out at the Embedded Systems Conference, and may be ordered online for $2.95 USD. An emulation edition of McKendric, which runs on a PC without needing additional hardware, is available for download via FileForum.