Microsoft outs Windows Embedded Handheld platform, Motorola ES400 is the first to get it
By Chris Ziegler 
posted June 17th 2010 7:35PM
posted June 17th 2010 7:35PM
To that end, Motorola has announced the ES400 as Windows Embedded Handheld's inaugural device, a rugged smartphone with a 600MHz Qualcomm MSM7627 core, resistive VGA touchscreen, fingerprint scanner, and a trick 3.5G radio that can be user-switched between GSM and CDMA. Naturally, you're not going to see this on carrier shelves, but the ES400 is being pushed as a solid option for field sales and service, healthcare, and retail use -- so if you're working in any of those fields, you might have a harder time shaking off the last remnants of WinMo than you ever imagined. Follow the break for Microsoft's press release.
Update: Sprint just pinged us to remind everyone that you will be able to buy the ES400 through its Business Direct and Business Solutions Partners sales channels, so carriers are offering it -- it's just not really a consumer-facing sort of thing.
Microsoft Outlines Commitment to the Future of Enterprise Handheld Devices
Microsoft unveils new brand and road map, and extends support for the enterprise handheld devices market.
Redmond, Wash. - June 17, 2010 - No one would argue the way we work has changed. From retail, medical, manufacturing and a host of other industries, being tied to a fixed office location simply isn't an option for a growing portion of the work force, and Microsoft is tackling this trend head-on. "Our Windows Embedded Business is focused on extending Windows and the benefits of cloud computing to the world of specialized devices," said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO.
Let's face it: Real-time access to information isn't just about increasing productivity. It's how business is conducted every day around the world.
Steve Ballmer outlines Microsoft's commitment to the future of enterprise handheld devices and the Motorola ES400.
Historically, Microsoft has offered two software platforms to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) deliver the next generation of enterprise handheld devices: Windows Embedded CE (the Windows Embedded Compact 7 community technology preview was announced June 1 and is available for download) and Windows Mobile.
Today, during Motorola's launch event for its ES400 enterprise digital assistant (EDA) in New York, Ballmer announced that Microsoft is making several key investments in the enterprise handheld device market, including the new Windows Embedded Handheld brand. "These releases will provide proven management and security functionality, while giving customers confidence that investments in handheld enterprise devices and line-of-business applications will be protected over time by an extended support life cycle," Ballmer said.
Windows Embedded Handheld is a new software platform designed to meet key line-of-business (LOB) scenarios and boost productivity of the mobile enterprise work force by enabling users to capture, access and act on business critical information where and when they need it. The first release under the brand is scheduled to come this calendar year and build on the Windows Mobile 6.5 platform with trusted management and security features, as well as enhanced protection for existing enterprise investments in LOB applications on devices.
The ES400, Motorola's smallest and pocketable EDA, offers the comprehensive voice and data capabilities required to enable workers to not only receive information, but to take action immediately.
The ES400, Motorola's smallest and pocketable EDA, offers the comprehensive voice and data capabilities required to enable workers to not only receive information, but to take action immediately.
Click for larger version.
For users, this means OEMs can take enterprise handheld devices - like the ones you see store employees using when you're out shopping - and create something extraordinary. These devices can vary greatly in functionality, but imagine the potential to enhance key LOB applications with the rich, immersive user experiences of touch or gesture response, plus enhanced connectivity to Windows-based PCs, servers and enterprise services.
In addition, Ballmer announced that Windows Embedded will continue to support developer tools used in building applications and experiences on today's devices, including Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and Windows Forms. This will help provide confidence that the existing investments will be protected over time as Microsoft releases new software platforms, as the operating system support life cycle will be extended to more closely align with the typical life cycle of devices in the enterprise.
Likewise for enterprise customers of our OEMs, investments in existing enterprise LOB applications will also be protected. An updated Windows Embedded Handheld platform based on Windows 7 technologies (Windows Embedded Compact 7) will be released in the second half of calendar year 2011, offering enhanced features and functionality to meet the needs of networked enterprise devices. The platform will also enable new key scenarios through support for rich user interfaces and natural input. A clear migration path will be available for these applications with Microsoft tools and technologies to a new application platform based on Microsoft Silverlight and Microsoft XNA, as well as Visual Studio 2010, with the Windows Embedded Handheld release in 2011.
The future for enterprise handheld devices is endless. A current white paper from analyst firm VDC Research estimates there were 2.3 million device shipments in 2009 and anticipates this number to exceed 4.3 million by 2014. The Windows Embedded CE and Windows Mobile platforms accounted for 87 percent of these 2009 shipments, according to VDC Research, and the relationships with its partner ecosystem continue to strengthen.
There are two distinct product groups focused on mobility at Microsoft: one for the enterprise handheld devices industry (WEB), and one committed to the mobile phone needs of customers for all types of end users (MCB).
There are two distinct product groups focused on mobility at Microsoft: one for the enterprise handheld devices industry (WEB), and one committed to the mobile phone needs of customers for all types of end users (MCB).
Click for larger version.
Motorola's ES400, just announced today, is a great example of what can be achieved when companies like Motorola and Microsoft collaborate to meet the needs of this space.
The ES400 integrates voice and advanced data capabilities, which bring out the full potential of mobile professionals by empowering them with the information and interaction they need to transform operations, increase enterprise profitability and complete their jobs virtually anywhere, anytime.
The next year is going to be a very exciting time for Windows Embedded as it continues to bring innovation to the enterprise handheld device space. Be sure to keep an eye on the Windows Embedded Newsroom for updates in the days, weeks and months ahead.
ugly.
@A Brown Kid
For WinMo 6.5, I actually think the opposite. Surprised they're still going to support it too. Only Microsoft though, they definitely have the money to throw at it.
@Plazmic Flame
It's the equivalent to Google supporting 1.5 and 1.6 even though 2.0 and 2.1 came out.
@bravokiloromeo
Not really. Android 2.2 does everything 1.6 does and more. Windows embedded mobile offers different things to windows phone 7.
@bravokiloromeo
Nope. It's for business users - needs to be functional, deal with corporate email, not have swish animations or accelerometers like windows mobile 7 will have.
@Plazmic Flame
They forgot to mention that this will be updated to windows embedded handheld 7.
@A Brown Kid
When did Engadget become so illiterate?
This place is turning into Digg...where everyone just reads the headline and maybe looks at the picture.
@Armchaircritic
I'm referring to Windows supporting 6.5 in addition to 7.
@jrm125
+1, I agree. This forum is slowly turning into digg. This phone serves a certain demographic. To be honest, I like it. Not every phone needs to be 'sexy'. Sadly I have contributed to the slow demise in the intellectual content of this website. Let us bring back the golden days.
@Mike Vick
This isn't a forum. A forum is a place where you can speak freely without fear of getting owned into oblivion by fanboys and trolls.
@jrm125
I can read, thank you very much.
As for my comment, I just posted what I thought. Yes, I do realize this is meant for a certain demographic, and meant to be a rugged phone, but I also do agree with my original comment-- this is an ugly phone.
Normally my comment would be irrelevant, but somehow I was first, and that is the reason behind your criticism.
Good day, sir.
@jrm125 He just wanted to be "first" is all.
@jrm125
After reading the article, I must say it's ugly
@Plazmic Flame
Just like it feels good to be up ranked, it feels horrible to be down ranked.
WHAT HAVE I DONE?
I'm sorry, engadget.
@A Brown Kid
U-G-L-Y, it doesn't have an alibi. SOOOOOO gross. Rank you very much.
This would be a great device to throw in the air and shoot at.
Laughable...So early 2000...Give up Microsoft
@REP
You can think only as far as your knowledge goes. You have no idea about the priorities of people this OS will be targeting at. Microsoft is essentially catering to 2 different markets - none cannibalizing the other. Where's the downside?
Ewwwwwwwww.
Man, this makes WinMo sexy again. Can I have this on my Tilt2?
Wow, just look at these comments.
It's like not one person actually read the article, and what this device will actually be used for. Freaking idiots.
@Prevacator
y so srs?
@Prevacator, yep. I've coded for these devices before, they are definitely 100% not for consumers. Strictly business.
@Prevacator I read the article and I still find it ugly. I want the UI they made on the Eee Tablet, that is sexy
@Prevacator
Yeah I read it, its for corporate types who want to take a step backwards. Innovation is clearly DEAD at Microsoft. Thats what happens when your company gets too bloated and you got too many VPs standing around with their thumb up their butts counting money. My advice is to dump your shares while you still can.
@REP
What the hell are you talking about? Do you even read what you write? How is this taking a step backwards? They're still introducing a new more consumer friendly smartphone OS, and the older WinMo which still has its fair share of users in the corporate sector is being used for corporate devices such as this.
@REP
You're dumb.
@Prevacator
But why are they updating WinMo 6.5.3? Why not just make a more business-feature-having Windows Mobile 7? It's not like consumers automatically turn into soulless, beautiful-interface-hating automatons when they drive to work.
@REP
Its not backwards, its just a different market. I don't think twitter, facebook and clock widgets are really needed in warehouses.
@zangetsu2 Lol? Don't take it personal that all of your pretty transitions and giant clocks are missing here. This is a bare-bones, do-what-you-need-to-and-go UI. That's all that's needed.
even though in retrospect, that's a pretty large digital clock. xD
@zangetsu2
Gee, I don't know, maybe because the infrastructure is already there to support 6.5.3. The applications between 6.5.x are not compatible with Windows phone 7, and there's also no restricted app market for Windows Phone 7, so any corporate specific applications can't be restricted yet for who is allowed to download and install it.
6.5.x still has its uses in the business world for all sorts of portable electronics, not just phones. Windows Phone 7 is still in its first development phase. They're planning on adding what's missing for the corporate world in later releases and updates, but why would Microsoft ever just abandon the corporate world entirely until the current Windows Phone 7 is capable of giving them what they want? When has Microsoft EVER preemptively abandoned an OS? They're known best for legacy support. They wouldn't ditch an OS that still has its uses for many corporations.
@Prevacator
I'm with you man...
IT LOOKS LIKE A TANK OF A PHONE.
IT"S A WORKING MANS PHONE
@tobsmonster2
tweet: warehouse being robbed...g2g
@Prevacator
I just don't get how people are so clueless. Obviously people who don't work for a big company.
All I can say is that I work for a Fortune 50 company. You won't see Nokias or iPhones offered to employees. It's BB and WinMo. That's it. And those phones are locked down. You don't install anything on them unless it's business related. The phones are used to view documents and email. Everything else is an after-thought.
For businesses this type of control is necessary.
I also love the criticism that this is "ugly". Since when is having a grid of 16 icons a work of art? Stock Android - is that nice looking? WinMo isn't the prettiest girl in the class (unless you are running the Energy ROM) but it's not nearly as bad as people make it out to be.
@N900
C'mon. No matter where you wander in the topic, one thing stands, it's still f*king ugly.
@Prevacator
I don't care if it's designed for unicorns to navigate to the ends of rainbows. IT IS UGLY. Period. This is not an invalid comment.
Are Microsoft deliberately going out of their way to support as many different platforms as possible?
@FNi
Maybe it's the Operating System version of the Long Tail.
A switch between GSM and CDMA? The iPhone does both at once. Maybe it's a GSM/UMTS and CDMA2000 switch?
@longcat
iPhone supports CDMA2000? That is news to me.
@kapanak CDMA is nothing but a radio channel access method, utilized by UMTS and CDMA2000. The latter two being the encompassing radio technology standards.
@longcat I believe you mean that the iPhone does GSM and WCDMA, though it doesn't do both at once -- it does one or the other. UMTS is WCDMA, so a switch between GSM/UMTS and CDMA2000 would actually a switch between GSM, WCDMA, and CDMA2000, presuming that by "GSM" you mean the 2G TDMA standard that is commonly referred to as GSM.
@longcat By the way, I know I took the semantics troll's bait. Couldn't help myself.
@Chris Ziegler That's partially correct. The iPhone for example is UMTS/WCDMA and GSM. UMTS specifies the complete network system of which WCDMA is only the air interface of. Therefore WCDMA is sufficient for UMTS air interface, as is TD-CDMA, but not necessary.
@longcat
STFU everyone knows what he meant.
is this the new Palm Pilot?
Where is Microsoft going with this?
Android & iOS FTW!!!
@RDM
I shall disagree with you. Maemo/MeeGo is and was lightyears ahead of both Apple's and Google's offerings...
@kapanak
oh please, nokia was LEFT BEHIND years ago. (in the smart phone market, that is.)