Microsoft and AT&T Wireless plan to announce on Wednesday new wireless services to business customers. The deal apparently calls for both companies to develop software and services for e-mail, calendars, data and other business applications.
Microsoft has cut deals with at most major US cellular carriers including VoiceStream, Sprint and Verizon. Microsoft has two major product lines, Pocket PC Phone Edition (for telephony on a PDA) and Smartphone (a Windows-powered cell phone). Microsoft wants a Windows phones in every hand.
Today Microsoft updated Windows CE .NET with new features such as IPv6; Speech API 5.0; better support for viewing Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Acrobat and Windows Media; performance improvements to Web browsing, and remote display protocol (RDP) technologies.
Windows CE .NET, the successor to CE 3.0, introduced 802.11 Zero Configuration, 802.1x and Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP).
Among the anticipated Windows CE .NET devices is Motorola EVr-8401 Enhanced TV Viewer. It wirelessly connects to any cable modem or modem-equipped digital set-top terminal. Interactive programming, Internet, e-mail, chat, and instant messaging applications are accessible through a remote IR keyboard, touch-screen keyboard, or on-screen handwriting recognition. Bsquare is developing a variety of CE devices. There are many routes to the connected home but Wi-Fi appliances will likely be central to video distribution around the house.
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