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.
@sighclops
Worldwide marketshare begs to differ.
@sighclops
What, because Meego/ Maemo was there years ago?
Well, some companies move forward, some try to squiz the last bit out of rotten fruit.
@bathellfire
can you please define the act of "squizing"?
@iroq d mullet never type this word in Google and hit "I'm Feeling Lucky"....you won't feel..so lucky.
@Processing
OH LORD YOU WEREN'T JOKING.
It's actually not too bad for a ruggedized version of the fleet phone. Keyboard looks decent, and the changes to the homescreen look logical.
@astrocramp It's a shame companies won't upgrade until their current phones start breaking down; their all already rugged so guess when that is....
If it is a phone that lets you choose whatever carrier you want (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T or T-Mobile) from one device and possibly be able to switch back and forth at will, it is definitely unique. Like GOBI does for data, this does for voice. If device manufacturers made devices like these in the USA there would be true carrier independence and true mobility.
DOA
This isn't for mass consumer markets. It's for retail and field services. Ah well...
Oh look...it's MS continuing to throw darts at all directions hoping to survive in the Mobile world! Kin...free..cause no one wants it....This nightmare is going to be a flop too...and MS is thinking right now...Froyo and IOS4...can we just scrap WM7 and work on WM9 so we can be on par?
@MSwillDie wow, i would have never expected such a comment from MswillDie....
@MSwillDie
So continuing development, but changing the name to WM9 will do it for you?
So much stupidity in one thread I hardly know where to begin. As a technology centric website one would hope the average visitor would be smarter than a 2nd grader, but alas this appears to be too much to ask for.
@Walker
You must be new. Apple readers dominate this site.
@bjsguess
um. they don't. see gizmodo.
thin bezel icons with soft dropshadows? white on yellow/orange?
uhmmm great ui!
FUGLY.................
I really want to look inside the heads of the guys that are coming up with the names for these platforms. At least with $40 billion in cash they can afford to throw darts until something sticks, and until they can't.
Many are ignoring the other part of Windows CE where businesses use it in their Barcode Scanners and Industrial PDAs. Windows CE 6 has a few more years left in it yet... and their upgrade path would require a heap of backwards compatibility with all the custom business Apps built for warehouses and trucking companies etc....
this article's stone proof that people just look at the pictures and immediately comment.
Most everyone is missing the point. Anyone ever use a Trimble GPS unit? Other construction/surveying/gps handheld devices? All use windows mobile. I was wondering what would replace WinMo6 as Microsoft moves forward... now we know.
@PhilR8
Never drop a Trimble off the roof of your car. 4500$ scare :P
Good god people. This obviously isnt meant to look good. It's not meant for consumers, as has been said SEVERAL TIMES. Why do businesses need flashy graphics and animations? They want their people to get their work done easily and quickly. They'll still have all their apps with this too, unlike if they moved to WP7.
Stop complaining about the interface and bashing an OS you wont ever use.
So is this going to use WinCE 7 kernel or still the same old lame ass CE6?
@DoctarPeppar Well, seeing as how businesses all have their apps built on that "old lame ass" CE6 kernel, I'd assume it would be that.
This actually makes a lot of sense; a lot of people were actually pretty upset when they found out WP7 wasn't based on WM6.x.
You guys do realize that isn't Windows Embedded Handheld pictured there. I don't know what Engadget was told, but all the other news sites said the device was upgradeable to WEH, not shipping with it.
Also, that is Moto's UI pictured above.
It's like a poor (as in unfortunate) man's Symbian.
hahahahhah WTF!>!>!?!
@Wesscoast
There's the idiot. I was wondering when the Apple jester himself would show up to make his trolling presence known.
Geezus, so much angst towards something that isnt named after a ginormous number or a a fruit! I gotta say, Nokia and Microsoft have some pretty nice quality products both hardware and software that are just so under appreciated. I've never had these troubles with their phones/devices ever. Yeah, maybe they don't have the flashiness and cool flip transitions, but they get the job done. The whole cool thing about Apple and Google was they were the anti-big corporations, but the tables have switched, and now they're the big ones in this market, and Microsoft and Nokia are the underdogs so to speak (market wise they're still pretty huge contenders if not in some occasions the one to beat). All this fanboyism plagues what is important to us gadget geeks, and that's what this hardware can do for our geeky lives we lead. I think this is some solid hardware with tried and true software that works just as well (if not better in some instances), I'm glad not a bajillion people are falling in line for it, and there's lots of haters. :)
Bottom half of the phone is identical to a blackberry. Anyone else agree?
looking at this phone from the past, at least we cant say we didnt know when they go bankrupt later.
I wonder why they aren't considering the individual phone buyers, for whom "Windows Phone's flashy stylings and locked-down underpinnings won't have the same draw."
But giving users choice and capability without requiring they ask permission are out of style with Microsoft (and Apple) I guess.
If I get a Win phone, it will be it will be a WinEH. Assuming they've succeeded at making it more phone and less pocket pc.
I might actually put up with this if the keyboard is good. I T-Mo is fine in the city, but CDMA would be better for run I go home to the woods.
Glad we now have actual proof of the 7 vs "Classic".
i suppose there's gonna be a WinMo7 ? WEHP7?
Yes, three mobile OSs now from MS, WM7, Kin, and whatever this is. Market segmentation doesn't work when none of your options are the most popular...
@ribo Sorry but this is not a phone OS, so its not competing with the likes of iPhone or Android.
This is a pure business OS for hand held devices, Business mobility, completely a seperate market.
@redtalon Looks like a phone OS to me; being on a phone and all... The non-business people aren't the target market, but now MS has to support yet another platform even longer. When has MS done anything more interesting than release a service pack?
this is a man's phone right here.Seriously,it looks like it wont take shit from anybody.
want.
I work for a company that does a lot of work for mobile devices.
WP7 is only going to be available on a few devices (comparatively).
This operating system is designed for the couriers/hand held users of this world, who need a device to scan, take signatures and use GPRS to deliver it etc etc (plus many other jobs)
Pure Business, not to show to your mates in the pub.
OK ... I get the layout.. and the look.. and who its targeted at.. But comon.. You have to realize that business users are CONSUMERS too!.. just because its business, doesnt mean it has to look really cumbersome to use..?
am i wrong to say that?