Introduction to Windows CE for Wireless Development Terence Goggin President, Information Appliance Associates Chris De Herrera Webmaster, CEWindows.NET, Windows CE MVP

What is Windows CE?  An embedded operating system for PC Companions (also for embedded systems)  Offers instant-on functionality, pre-emptive multitasking, and real time processing capabilities  Supports a subset of the Win32 API, allowing for faster development since you can port existing code  Supports a variety of peripherals and data storage devices  Supports a variety of wireless technologies so you can choose what is best for your application

What is a PC Companion?  The Pocket PC and Handheld PC 2000 are the current generation of PC Companions  Prior generations include the Palm-size PCs (P/PC 2.0, 2.1), the Handheld PC 2.0 (H/PC), and the Handheld PC Professional Edition (H/PC 2.11).

Pocket PC Features  Similar size to fit in the palm of your hand  No keyboard - supports handwriting recognition, both printing and cursive  Supports audio and video multimedia applications  Supports multiple wireless technologies and solutions  Includes a good subset of applications: Pocket Excel, Pocket Word, Pocket Internet Explorer, Reader, Pocket Money, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks  Uses Windows CE 3.0 as the core operating system  Designed for consumer and corporate use

Handheld PC 2000 Features  Smaller and lighter than a notebook PC  Includes ½ VGA display or larger, and a keyboard  Supports up to two peripheral slots  Supports multiple wireless technologies  Includes a good set of applications: Pocket Access, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks  Uses Windows CE 3.0 as the core operating system  Designed for corporate use

Wireless Support  Two major types of wireless –Campus based wireless Wireless around the office –Wide-area based wireless Wireless around the city or country

Campus Based Wireless Local Area Wireless for Corporate Environments  Windows CE supports b based systems, including 11Mb/s (WiFi standard)  Proxim OpenAir is also supported  Example solutions include the Symbol PPT-2740 with built-in support. Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC with PC Card adapter and LAN card. Also, PC Cards can be used in the Handheld PC 2000 and the Handheld PC, Professional Edition.

Nationwide Wireless  Cellular –CDMA – Code Division Multiple Access, common in the United States, 14.4k, higher speeds in other countries ie: 64k in South Korea –GSM – Global System for Mobile Communications, 9.6k (some 14.4k)  CDPD – Cellular Digital Packet Data, 19.2k  Paging Networks – Mobitex & Ardis, 9.6k, high latency  Other Networks – Ricochet, 128k limited availability

Future Wireless Directions Windows CE is ready for the future!  Bluetooth – Socket Communications has already demonstrated a Bluetooth CompactFlash card  3G – Windows CE is well suited for high speed wireless networks: –Full web browser (H/PC 2000 has Internet Explorer 4.0 in rom) –Fast CPUs (over 200MHz) –Lots of RAM (16MB+)

Communications Architecture  Supports Winsock API – functionality is similar to the desktop  Native TCP/IP application support – allows the developer to open a port and use it as needed  Supports RAS 1.2 for dial-out only – allows you to connect to other computers using PPP (Point to Point Protocol) via program control

Summary  Developing wireless solutions with Windows CE is straightforward  Windows CE supports TCP/IP to communicate with other devices  Systems are either: –Connected full time – NDIS –Require RAS to dial up – PPP or SLIP  Once connected, the same application functionality applies  You must still plan for the reduced bandwidth that wireless offers

Introduction to Windows CE for Mobile Application Development Terence Goggin President, Information Appliance Associates Chris De Herrera Windows CE MVP