BSQUARE Introduces World's First User Interface Builder For Use with Windows CE In an Embedded System

Business Wire, August 3, 1998

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 1998--

BSQUARE(R) CE EmbeddedDesktop provides timesaving desktop design

tools for the Windows CE 2.1 operating system

BSQUARE Corporation announced today a shell utility for use in building Windows(R) CE-based embedded devices which require user interfaces.

The BSQUARE CE EmbeddedDesktop delivers a fully configurable desktop design module for managing the user interface and launching applications. This tool will allow developers to fully customize the user interface on embedded devices.

"The use of the Windows CE operating system is exploding in a number of embedded system markets," explained Joe Notarangelo, vice president and general manager of BSQUARE's Embedded Systems Group. "Many kinds of new devices, including Internet appliances, industrial man-machine interface devices, smart consumer devices, kiosks, and more, require a user interface. The BSQUARE CE EmbeddedDesktop complements the components of the Microsoft Windows CE Embedded Toolkit for Visual C 5.0, enabling designers to build their user interfaces and applications much more quickly, and enjoy the benefits of faster time-to-market."

"Embedded systems developers focus on time-to-market as a critical element in their overall design," said Tony Barbagallo, group product manager in the consumer platforms division at Microsoft. "BSQUARE CE EmbeddedDesktop gives developers a set of tools that will enable them to quickly and efficiently build custom user interfaces and bring a rich set of embedded solutions based on Windows CE to market."

Internet appliances will comprise a large portion of the market in which a user interface is required on an embedded device. International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that the Internet appliance market segment will approach 42 million annual units by the year 2002. This is a compounded average growth rate of more than 96%. Forrester Research estimates the Internet-enabled device revenues to reach $16 billion before the year 2002.

About BSQUARE CE EmbeddedDesktop

BSQUARE CE EmbeddedDesktop provides a full-featured default desktop which can be configured and customized by the designer using the Embedded Desktop Language (EDL), a simple text-based language requiring just minutes to learn. With the CE EmbeddedDesktop, embedded systems designers can:

-- Easily configure and customize a desktop

-- Enjoy low memory requirements: <230K for the fully-featured

desktop

-- Use multiple components for maximum flexibility in design

-- Provide a unique look and feel based on the embedded

designer's requirements

-- Use with Microsoft's Windows CE 2.1 operating system running

on any Windows CE supported processor

-- Use the Embedded Desktop Language Compiler (EDLC)

-- Choose from a large number of configurable desktop options

-- Modify desktop configuration for appearance, ease of use, work

flow patterns, and security issues

-- Control the startup sequence

-- Protect each command with a password

-- Use cascading submenus

-- Define hotkeys

-- Specify background colors and bitmaps

-- Select among included icons or create their own

-- Browse and manage the file system with the BSQUARE FileStore

program, or even reconfigure to an entirely different

interface.

The BSQUARE CE EmbeddedDesktop is available for a $9,995.00 site license. Run-time royalties will be negotiated with individual customers based on unit volume. The product is available for license today with production availability in September.

About BSQUARE

As a Microsoft-sanctioned Windows CE Systems Integrator and distributor, BSQUARE's Embedded Systems Group offers a single source solution for embedded systems designers looking to incorporate Windows CE into their target devices. BSQUARE delivers all the necessary components for a successful implementation of Windows CE: licenses for Windows CE, CE Xpress Adaptation Kits, BSQUARE CE EmbeddedDesktop, Embedded Toolkits for Visual C 5.0, adaptation engineering services, and technical support.

BSQUARE, located in Bellevue, Washington, specializes in Windows CE and offers consulting services, embedded system products and services, and software applications for portable PC companions. BSQUARE offers more experience with Windows CE than any other systems integrator, and leverages this knowledge and years of direct experience to deliver cutting-edge technology and speed the customer's time-to-market. BSQUARE was founded in 1994 and is the market leader in providing complete Windows CE-based solutions.

More Information

For further information on the new BSQUARE CE EmbeddedDesktop or other products and services by BSQUARE, please visit the Web site at www.bsquare.com or call 1-888-820-4500.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For a technical overview of the newly released product and screen shots, please contact Michelle Manson at 425/519-5900 or visit the Web site at http://www.bsquare.com/integration/index.htm.> BSQUARE and CE Xpress are either registered trademarks or trademarks of BSQUARE Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other product and company names herein may be