BSQUARE Expands OEM Licensing Offerings with Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Business Wire, Feb 16, 2005

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Smart Device Developers Now Have a Single Source for Licensing Microsoft Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP Professional, and Legacy Windows OS Software

BSQUARE (Nasdaq:BSQR), a leading provider of smart device solutions, today announced that Microsoft Corp. has authorized it to distribute Windows XP Professional operating system software with embedded license restrictions. BSQUARE now offers customers a choice of Microsoft Windows operating systems for single-purpose devices, enabling them to choose the OS that best satisfies their device requirements.

As the componentized version of Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Embedded is ideal for small footprint dedicated devices in markets like Retail Point of Service and Office Automation that need to be secured from end-user modification. Some devices do not have these requirements and currently run on older versions of Windows operating systems such as Windows 98. Makers of these devices can benefit from migrating to Windows XP Professional if their application is Win 32-based. These applications will run seamlessly on Windows XP Professional without alteration. Adapting the same application to Windows XP Embedded requires the developer to know the needed components to ensure a seamless migration. For OEMs who are able to take advantage of migrating to Windows XP Professional, benefits can include reduced time to market and ease of deployment.

"We are very pleased to offer our customers Windows XP Professional with embedded restrictions for the first time ever," said Geoff Goetz, Business Development Manager, BSQUARE. "This gives us the opportunity to engage with new embedded customers, while also offering one-stop shopping for our current customer base. Guided by our licensing experts, who can offer advice on evaluating operating systems and understanding licensing terms and conditions, device OEMs will be able to choose the Windows OS that best fits their needs."

"As a Gold-level Windows Embedded Partner, BSQUARE is equipped to help OEMs navigate the licensing process and assist customers in making the right choices for their systems," said Jane Gilson, director, Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft. "Developers creating a range of smart, connected devices can streamline their operations by purchasing the Windows software licenses they need from a single distributor."

About BSQUARE

BSQUARE is a leading global provider of software, engineering services and consulting for the smart device market. Since 1994, BSQUARE has provided world-class device makers with the building blocks necessary to design, develop, and test innovative products quickly and cost effectively. A sample of BSQUARE customers includes Motorola, Hewlett-Packard, Texas Instruments, NEC, Sierra Wireless, HTC, Microsoft and others. BSQUARE is one of Microsoft's largest value-added partners worldwide for Windows Embedded software, a Gold-level Systems Integrator of the year and a leading Windows Mobile solutions provider for Smartphone and Pocket PC. BSQUARE is a Texas Instruments-licensed Independent OMAP(TM) (Open Multimedia Application Platform) Technology Center. The company's SDIO Now! technology has been adopted by top-tier smart device makers around the world. For more information, visit BSQUARE at www.bsquare.com or call 888-820-4500.

BSQUARE is a registered trademark of BSQUARE Corporation. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.