Microsoft Announces Windows Embedded Handheld Platform

At Motorola’s June 17 launch event for its ES400 enterprise digital assistant (EDA) in New York, Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer announced that the software company 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 management and security features, as well as enhanced protection for existing enterprise investments.

According to Microsoft, Motorola’s ES400 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 aim bring out the full potential of mobile professionals by empowering them with information and interaction they need to transform operations, increase enterprise profitability and complete their jobs virtually anywhere, anytime.”