Microsoft’s Mobile and Embedded Devices (MED) Group has partnered with WindowsForDevices.com to co-promote a developer contest using new technologies in Microsoft’s Windows CE software.
The challenge of the contest is to create an application with some kind of real-world application using one of two newly released Shared Source components — the Windows CE WebCam driver and/or the Windows CE DVR engine.
The application has to be created with the 120-day free evaluation versions of Windows CE and its development tools.
The potential software could include security sensors, games, robot control, or face recognition.
The grand prize is an XBox 360 console, a 34-inch HDTV, games, accessories and some bragging rights, said Nick Sagez, product manager for Windows Embedded at Microsoft .
“I think people are going to have fun with the contest seeing what they can do, and people who provide modifications and contribute to the project will see some benefit of being involved in the community, as well,” he said.
“So there’s lots to be gained and have some fun in the process.”
Microsoft first released Windows CE under a Shared Source license in 2001, the first and only operating system to receive such an open treatment.
Shared Source is a bit more restrictive than most open source licenses, since developers can make changes and distribute the code for commercial purposes.
Windows CE 3.0 was the first to be released under Shared Source. Microsoft is now up to version 5.0 and has made a large portion of the operating system readily available, including the kernel libraries, file system, device manager and storage manager.
“It’s helped our customers,” said Sagez. “They are happy to be able to use that source code to build better devices and build them faster, and that’s where we get our success.”
Projects must be submitted before midnight PST on July 28, 2006. Winners will be announced on WindowsForDevices.com after Aug. 15, 2006.