Pocket PC 2003's Support for XScale Confirmed!

Found this message from microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.compactframework news group. Message is from 'Erick Turkarslan [MS]'.

...
XScale (PXA250) is a newer processor from Intel which support ARM
architecture and application code compatible with Strong ARM. However it
also support newer instruction sets not support by Strong ARM. You can run
Strong ARM code on XScale but XScale specific code does not run on Strong
ARM.

Windows CE 3.0 (Pocket PC 2000/2002) does not have an XScale specific
implementation. That's XScale specific features are not available with
Pocket PC 2000/2002.
Windows CE 4.2 (Pocket PC 2003) supports XScale architecture.

NET CF already has a XScale implementation which is available with Pocket
PC 2003.
...

[MiniM3]

THAT IS DAMN GOOD NEWS!

When is 4.2 due out? I guess MS decided to go ahead with an Xscale optimised OS after all.

man, I can't wait to warez the upgrade :P

[hkoyuncu]

this IS good news indeed! can't wait till it's released.

[Forge]

egsellent smithers...

that is awesome news! I was telling my lovely wife the other day:

This is the first time that I have the top of the line processor in a computing device AND the @#%$ operating sytem can't take advantage of it!

ARGH!


Finally a glimmer of hope! :)

[michaelmotorcycle]

Sure would be nice to know what all this means. The best I can figure is that I've got a screamin' demon and don't know it....

[jpross]

Hesse

Did they give you any idea when this upgrade would be out? I think we are all anxious to get it ASAP.

[ThinkerTDM]

Is it going to be free or are we going to have to pay for the "upgrade"?

[JakeRich]

Patience, patience! All that quote says is that the next incantation from MS will allegedly support X-Scale. It also doesn't say that the next version will use the advanced features of X-Scale, just that it will "support" it. MS has made public statements in the past that indicate that they are sticking with ARM V.4, so it would be surprising to see them move to the XScale ARM V.5.

And, even so, once an upgrade is ready from MS, then Dell has to do whatever it takes to customize it to the Axim and release a ROM upgrade.

So, let's not get frantic or very optimistic about this. There isn't really anything new in that statement.

[red-i]

also remember, the current x-scale does have some design flaws (memory controlller and such) which is partly why it's not performing as it should, so while the next version of CE will provide support for it, it wont' fix the issues that the processor itself has. I'm sure it'll still be a definate improvement though :)

[youthemandan]

I hope my 32 mb of ROM is enough to hold this OS

[NMkiD]

cool news, how easy is it to upgrade the OS on the axim you think?

[plazman30]

Does the AXIM have a flashable ROM? Even if it does, Dell still has to make an upgrade. They could very well opt to only offer PockerPC 2003 on new hardware, though I really hope that is not the case.

[Swordsman74]

Maybe I'm naiive about this, but I can almost guarantee that Dell will offer an Axim-specific version of PPC2003 once it is released. Here's why:

With the exception of their very inaccurate forecast of Axim supply/demand , they are smart folks and highly efficient. If they planned on keeping us with PPC2002, they would have saved a ton of $$ by giving everyone only 32mb ROM, instead of giving extra to the 400mhz. Just that fact alone makes me think they've planned on releasing an upgrade all along...

Any thoughts to the contrary?

[Forge]

Agreed. There is definitely method to the madness when it comes to the extra ROM.