REDMOND, Wash. - April 6, 1998 - Underscoring the rapidly increasing business importance of information devices and an emerging interest in embedded systems solutions, more than 2,000 developers converged today in San Jose, Calif., for the third annual Windows® CE Developers Conference from Microsoft Corp. This year's attendance is nearly triple the number of developers who attended the 1997 conference and represents the largest system software developer conference solely focused on information appliances. These developers are part of the more than 200,000 developers for the Windows operating system who will attend Microsoft conferences during 1998.

During the three-day event, attendees are not only scheduled to hear from Microsoft executives about the technology and strategies behind Microsoft® Windows CE, but also to see more than 75 exhibitors with hardware and software solutions they are already shipping. The developers will take home tools, technologies and hardware to build systems and applications powered by Windows CE 2.0.

"Microsoft is committed to enabling developers wanting to take advantage of the opportunities created by these growing areas," said Harel Kodesh, general manager, consumer appliance group at Microsoft. "That means choices in programming languages, support for multiple processors and a range of OEMs. We are delivering on that commitment at this year's conference by giving all attendees tools they can immediately put to use in developing software for our PC Companion family members, the Auto PC, Handheld PC and Palm PC, as well as access to new technologies for Windows CE."

A comprehensive sampler CD with all conference proceedings and technical details is scheduled to be given to each developer attendee and will include the following:

• ActiveX® Data Objects (ADO) software development kit (SDK). This preview release of ADO for Windows CE will enable developers to access Windows CE databases through an industry-standard application programming interface (API), provided by ADO. It also adds new features to Windows CE-based databases, such as SQL support for complex queries, new data types, and enhanced synchronization with desktop databases, including Microsoft Access and Microsoft SQL Server™.
• Auto PC and Palm PC SDKs. These preview releases will provide developers with the tools to quickly develop applications for these new PC Companion products, including code samples and emulations of the Auto PC faceplate and Palm PC form factor for desktop development.
• Sample applications. In a testament to the rapid development capability of Windows CE tools, more than 25 applications for the Palm PC platform will be included, even before hardware units are available in stores, as well as 59 applications for the Handheld PC.

Each day during the conference, a special trade fair will showcase more than 75 hardware and software vendors with their newest versions of Windows CE-based products. Developers will have ample opportunity to get hands-on experience with the latest third-party tools, applications and hardware add-ons that take advantage of Windows CE. A series of informal panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions with the Windows CE development team are also planned.

More than 40 technical sessions covering embedded systems design, Auto PC, Handheld PC and Palm PC are to be included in the conference. Keynote presentations include an opening speech from Kodesh and a speech from Paul Maritz, Microsoft's group vice president, platforms and applications, on day two. General sessions will include an inside look at Windows CE, an applications development overview and a review of the various software tools available for the platform.

Windows CE was designed to provide connectivity and interoperability support to power the new generation of interconnected computing devices. Since the modular, scalable Windows CE platform is based on the Win32® API, developers can use their programming knowledge to build embedded systems and applications. The Win32 process model creates the first widely available platform to foster a thriving third-party industry, with products ranging from advanced development and analysis tools to network protocols, software libraries and utilities. To date, more than 30 hardware companies have either shipped or announced plans to ship products powered by Windows CE, and more than 250 applications for Windows CE are commercially available.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft, Windows, ActiveX and Win32 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.