Microsoft Positions Windows CE for VoIP Phones

Microsoft announced new VoIP features for the upcoming release of Windows CE 5.0. Microsoft also announced a growing list of vendors that are delivering a wide variety of VoIP-based client devices and services -- such as desktop and wireless phones, IP set-top boxes, residential gateways and thin clients -- running the Windows CE operating system. Windows CE 5.0 is Microsoft's real-time embedded operating system designed for 32-bit smart, connected and small-footprint devices such as consumer electronics devices, gateways, industrial controllers, mobile handheld devices, IP set-top boxes, VoIP phones and thin clients.



Additional VoIP features coming in Windows CE 5.0 will enable increased productivity for customers via multiparty audio conferencing, Exchange Server integration with contact search and calendar functionality, and unified messaging. New features also include automatic provisioning and user identification, which would help IT departments simplify deployment and administration of IP phones and VoIP devices.



New device and equipment manufacturer partners developing IP phones and VoIP devices using Windows CE include Atrium C&I Co. Ltd., Bast Inc., Intermec Technologies Corp., Inter-Tel Integrated Systems Inc., LG Electronics, Mikasa Shoji Co. Ltd., NEC Infrontia Corp., Netsys Corp., Reddline Systems Inc., RV Technology Ltd., Uptech Ltd., Wooksung Electronics Inc. and ZTE Corp. System integrators including BSQUARE Corp., HCL Technologies Ltd., Datacraft Asia Ltd., Net2Com Ltd., TABLETmedia Inc. and Zinwell Corp. are using the Windows platform to provide deployment and integration support for enterprises and service operators around the world.



These new industry partners join previously announced manufacturers BCM Computers Co. Ltd., Casio Computer Company Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Samsung Electronics Company Ltd., Symbol Technologies Inc. and Tatung Co., which are delivering innovative IP phones and VoIP-enabled devices running Windows CE. http://www.microsoft.com