微軟發布Windows Embedded Handheld移動平台

在今年2月15日微軟發布新一代的面向普通消費者的行動裝置平台Windows Phone 7之後，大家都在猜測微軟的 LOB方案將會何去何從。今日，微軟宣告了其新的面向企業使用者的移動平台 Windows Embedded Handheld 平台的誕生。

什麼是Windows Embedded Handheld？

其實Windows Embedded Handheld平台並不是一個全新的平台，它是微軟基於針對企業移動市場的一套解決方案。因為隨著Windows Phone 7的到來，以前的基於Windows Mobile 6.x作業系統的裝置面臨著一些抉擇。對於普通消費者來說，毫無疑問Windows Phone 7將是其最佳選擇。但是對於基於Windows Mobile 6.x作業系統的那些企業解決方案來說，Windows Phone 7太過於面向消費者已經不是很適合。那麼需要移動解決方案的企業市場將怎麼辦？Windows Embedded Handheld就是微軟現在所推出的這樣一套解決方案。

所謂Windows Embedded Handheld，它並不是基於某個特定的作業系統。而是根據客戶的需要基於Windows Embedded CE或者Windows Mobile作業系統的這樣一套移動解決方案。對於目前來說，可以選擇Windows Embedded CE 6或者是Windows Mobile 6.x作業系統。

根據企業的應用的不同特點，可以選擇二者之一。對於這兩個不同的平台，他們的區別如下：

	Windows Embedded 6	Windows Mobile	其他
應用平台和可移植性	• Custom SDK or shared API architecture • Limited portability of applications	• Consistent API • Windows Marketplace • Portability across devices	Windows Embedded CE componentized image allows for each device to expose a completely different set of components/ technologies and therefore APIs to an ISV. Windows Mobile consistent API supports rich third-party software development. Enterprises enjoy portability of applications across various Windows Mobile devices.
安全	• No Active Directory or remote wipe	• Active Directory • Remote wipe	Both software platforms offer device and removable media encryption for industry-leading security. For additional data security, Windows Mobile also offers remote wipe and AD support.
裝置管理	• SNMP • Device management client	• System Center Mobile Device Manager integration	Windows Embedded CE SNMP agent support consists of a master agent and one or more extension agents. Windows Mobile includes advanced device management capabilities including Active Directory and Group Policy.
電話支援	• CellCore but no dialer	• Dialer and CellCore interface	Windows Embedded CE comes with CellCore and the device vendor would need to build a custom dialer or phone interface. Windows Mobile has a very rich and easy-to-use interface for all phone-related tasks.
自訂UI	• Full	• Partial • Familiar and consistent user experience	Windows Embedded CE offers full customization flexibility to the image and the latest technologies such as Silverlight for Windows Embedded, the revolutionary UI framework for creating innovative devices with rich user experiences. Windows Mobile has partial customization flexibility as defined in the Microsoft logo test kit (LTK), but the interface provides a familiar experience to users—icons, file structures, etc.
記憶體架構	• Up to 32,768 processes running at one time	• Up to 32 concurrent processes running	Windows Embedded CE allows up to 32,768 processes running concurrently and each process gets a 2 GB virtual address space to run. Windows Mobile can run up to 32 processes and each process runs in a 32 MB virtual address space.
顯示需求	• Display hardware flexibility • Headless support	• Specific resolution and glass sizes support • No headless support	Windows Embedded CE has several recommended display configurations; however, solution providers can still write a fully functional display driver for displays outside of these recommendations. Windows Embedded CE devices can even be made headless (e.g., RFID readers on factory floor conveyor belts). Windows Mobile UI and performance are tailored toward certain display and glass sizes. Some of the display resolutions supported range from 176 х 220 to 800 x 480 (WVGA). For complete listing, please refer to the OPK.
MS Office支援	• Limited – Office viewers only	• Yes	Windows Embedded CE offers Office viewers. Windows Mobile 6.5 offers Office Mobile allowing for viewing, editing, and forwarding.

如何選擇適合自己企業的Windows Embedded Handheld解決方案？

我們看到Windows Embedded CE和Windows Mobile這兩種不同的作業系統截然不同，那麼企業應該如何選擇適合自己的平台呢？

當企業有如下需求的時候，最好選擇Windows Mobile作業系統：

1。 需要在多種不同的裝置上保障應用程式的相容性。

2。 裝置需要一些進階的安全保障，例如通過SCCM來進行管理。

3。 有一些電話的串連需求。

當企業有如下需求的時候，建議採用Windows Embedded CE作業系統：

1。 高度自訂的裝置

2。 該裝置專註於某種特定的任務

Windows Embedded Handheld的Roadmap

在今年，Windows Embedded Handheld還是會以Windows Mobile 6.5的系統為主（例如MOTO今天剛剛推出的ES400）。當然如果您願意，還可以使用基於Windows Embedded CE 6的平台。但是到了明年下半年，市面上將會以基於Windows Embedded Compact 7為主的裝置佔據主導地位。而那時候，基於 Silverlight的UI展現技術的Windows Embedded Compact 7將會給Windows Embedded Handheld市場帶來嶄新的活力。

延伸閱讀：

1。 Windows Phone 7 Series 概述、亮點以及。。。。。。

2。 Windows Embedded Compact 7 正式對外公布

3。 Windows Embedded Handheld