While attending this week’s Embedded System’s Conference, American software company Microsoft Corp. has taken the opportunity to unveil further details regarding its SPARK Your Imagination community-focused program.
Microsoft further details its SPARK initiative. Credit: AudreyJM529/Flickr.
Previously known as just SPARK when it was first announced back in November of 2007, the initiative is the result of a joint agreement between Redmond-based Microsoft and select hardware vendors to provide non-professional developers with complete software and hardware access in “a simple and affordable engagement model.”
Specifically, Microsoft outlines that SPARK Your Initiative is set to bring the benefits of embedded development on Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 and Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition to both the enthusiast developer and academic community members.
While offerings held within the initiative have an estimated value of $1,300 USD they will be made available around the world at prices ranging from $250 USD to $350 USD.
“Devices running embedded operating systems have seen explosive growth in the past few years, and the announcement today demonstrates our commitment to the future of the embedded community,” said Kevin Dallas, general manager of Windows Embedded Business at Microsoft. “Our continued investment supports future innovation and new idea generation that will ultimately contribute to our vision of smart, connected, service-oriented devices.”
Current hardware vendors signed up to provide for the program include AdvanTech Co. Ltd., ICOP Digital Inc., Keith & Koep GmbH, VIA Technologies Inc., and Special Computing. Offers related to SPARK Your Imagination will be made available to program participants directly from the above vendors.
Hobbyist and academic participants will receive complete versions of Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 and Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition along with select boards at optimised price points. All offerings are provided for strictly non-commericial use.
Additionally, Microsoft will also provide free Board Support Package (BSP) certification (a Windows Embedded CE operating system compatibility guarantee), which will apply to both non-commercial and commercial use. According to the software giant, up to two test passes per BSP will be processed at no cost.
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