Windows Phone 7 reportedly running Windows CE 7

By George Ponder
last updated

The reports of Windows CE being dead are apparently highly exaggerated. Or so say's Olivier Bloch, Microsoft Embedded technical evangelist.

Bloch not only reports on his blog site (opens in new tab) that Microsoft will offer CE support for at least ten more years but also that Windows Phone 7 is based on Windows Embedded Compact 7 core (something many have already suspected). Beyond that, Bloch doesn't get into too much detail but promises, "Lots of good things are coming. Stay tuned."

It is anticipated that the Windows CE 7 will provide support for such features as dual core support, WiFi locating systems, and Bluetooth 2.1.  With this news, one has to wonder how closely related Windows Phone 7 will actually be to Windows Mobile.  It also may be an indication on what the future of Windows Mobile might be.

[via wmpoweruser]

George Ponder
George Ponder

George is the Reviews Editor at Windows Central, concentrating on Windows 10 PC and Mobile apps. He's been a supporter of the platform since the days of Windows CE and uses his current Windows 10 Mobile phone daily to keep up with life and enjoy a game during down time.

8 Comments
  • I'm a bit concerned that WinCE7 brings many new types of DRM into the OS. The OS itself is dongled to the handset. It also comes with various content DRM regimes.
  • Why? I remember all the DRM cries from Vista, and Win7 has the same DRM in it that Vista has, and i've used both OS's and it's never been a issue. If MS wants to stream content to you (video or music) through some pay service, you NEED to support some sort of DRM on your OS. That's just how it goes, but that never stopped me on Vista/7 from doing everything I did on XP etc. The whole DRM fear is blown out of proportion for no real reason imo.
  • Mary Jo Foley wrote about this today. Her latest update states that Microsoft says Windows Phone 7 is not based on 7.0, but rather 6.0 http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=6110&utm_source=feedburner&utm_mediu...
  • I'm wonder why Microsoft decided that Windows Phone will not be compatible with Windows Mobile.
  • Because they don't want all the ugly and pisspoor looking Windows Mobile apps on Windows Phone 7. It's simple to understand. They want new apps that fit better with the Metro UI and look great
  • In case anyone might think the Microsoft Research project codenamed Menlo could end up derailing Microsoft's current practice of using Windows CE/Windows Embedded Compact as the core of Microsoft's mobile OS in the near term, think again.
  • It always helps to build things using good technology, but if what you build is faulty, then the benefit is lost. If Windows Phone 7 suffers from the same lack of quality control and end-user testing as Engadget seems to point out in their review of the Kin One and Kin Two, then we have a lot to be worried about.
  • One of the most anticipated features is the ability for it to seamlessly use it with your ZuneHD just like iTunes. Other feasible rumors is it using TouchFlo and Sense and some dash of silverlight 3.0. For sure the MWC event will be exhilirating.