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28 years ago, the history of Windows CE began. Let's remember the past
On November 16, 1996, the Windows CE 1.0 operating system was born. It was fast, resource-efficient, adaptive — and became one of the drivers of the rapid development of the PDA and communicator market. Today, on the birthday of the OS, let's remember how and why it was developed. If you encountered this particular version at the time, share in the comments how it seemed to you — convenient and practical or the opposite?
Who and why created this OS
This whole story began in the 90s, with another project. In mid-1994, Microsoft began work on the WinPad software platform. The corporation wanted to create an operating system for personal digital assistants (PDA — Personal Digital Assistant) accessible to everyone. But during the development process, Microsoft realized that the high costs of producing handheld devices and the uncertainty of demand for them at that time made the project economically unviable.
The developments of WinPad were not in vain and became the basis for Windows CE. Microsoft released this OS about a year after the previous project was closed — November 16, 1996. The company managed to create a universal platform that can work on a wide range of low-power devices with limited computing resources.
By the time CE appeared, portable mobile gadgets had gained popularity. Examples include models such as the HP OmniGo 100, Casio Z-7000, Sharp Zaurus ZR-5800, and others. But there were few stable and efficient software platforms for them. And here CE 1.0 came on the scene — its appearance was spectacular and effective.
Operating system capabilities and popularization of handhelds
Compact, energy-efficient, and cross-platform, the OS became a single universal solution for a long time. Here are its capabilities:
Multitasking — support for running multiple applications simultaneously, allowing users to switch between tasks without having to close one program to start another.
Basic communication support — Windows CE 1.0 supported information exchange through serial ports as well as modem connection. The latter feature was very important for business users as it allowed access to email and data synchronization on the go.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) — simple and user-friendly design based on minimalist design. The interface included standard Windows elements such as windows, buttons, and menus.
File system — the ability to create, copy, move, and delete files and folders.
Quick response — Windows CE 1.0 allowed for quick task processing, which was critical for devices requiring instant response to user actions.
Touch input — one of the key features for portable devices: support for input using a stylus and, in some cases, fingers.
Set of built-in programs, including a calculator, a simple text editor, and an organizer.
Low resource requirements — Windows CE 1.0 could run on low-power devices with small amounts of RAM, which was necessary for embedded systems.
Cross-platform compatibility — the OS could be adapted to different processors and architectures. This made it a flexible solution for various hardware manufacturers.
Compactness and modularity — the OS consisted of software modules, so companies could add or remove features depending on the device model and its target audience.
Minimum system requirements to run Windows CE 1.0:
processor: support for multiple architectures, including MIPS, SuperH, x86, and ARM;
RAM: at least 4 MB of RAM — this was enough to perform basic tasks and work with pre-installed applications;
ROM: at least 2 MB of memory for installing the OS and system files;
screen: display resolution from 320 × 240 pixels (standard QVGA), touch input support for working with portable devices;
storage: flash memory or built-in ROM for storing the OS and applications;
communication ports: serial port for connecting to external devices and data exchange — for example, via modem.
Known devices from the 90s with Windows CE 1.0 on board
Casio Cassiopeia — one of the first series of PDAs based on Windows CE, designed for business users.
Hewlett-Packard Jornada — pocket PCs popular among students and professionals.
Compaq Aero — competitor to Cassiopeia from Compaq.
Philips Velo — a device aimed at the mobile technology market, supporting the main functions of a PDA.
NEC MobilePro — business-oriented devices aimed at the corporate segment.
Successors and legacy of Windows CE 1.0
Windows CE 1.0 laid the foundation for the release of new versions of this operating system. Among the most successful and popular "successors" are Windows CE 2.0, Windows CE 3.0, and Windows CE .NET.
Windows CE 2.0 — an improved version. It supported color displays, more communication standards, and was generally faster.
Windows CE 3.0 — used in some early versions of Pocket PC and received support for many features associated with modern mobile devices. For example, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were added, as well as multimedia support — this made mobile devices also entertainment centers.
Windows CE .NET — the first version focused on IoT. It was installed on terminals, medical equipment, industrial controllers, and even early smartphone models.
The last official version of Windows CE was Windows Embedded Compact 2013, which Microsoft no longer supports. Despite the end of the support cycle, CE is still used in some specific devices: cash registers, smart panels, medical equipment. Replacing such systems with newer ones often does not make sense — in this case, the entire infrastructure would have to be redesigned, which is expensive and time-consuming.
Windows CE 1.0 not only enabled handhelds to enter the mass market, but also became the precursor to Windows Mobile. It also initiated the mass deployment of IoT solutions in industry, medicine, and retail.
Modern Windows IoT and Embedded Compact trace their roots to the basic concept of Windows CE: reliability, compactness, low resource consumption, and cross-platform compatibility. Happy birthday, Windows CE!
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