Today at Embedded World 2008, Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework version 2.5. This latest release provides developers and device-makers with support for Web Services on Devices and a native Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack, bringing powerful new options for network discovery and connectivity to smaller resource-constrained devices. Introduced a year ago at Embedded World 2007, the .NET Micro Framework now has over 40 companies leveraging the .NET Micro Framework porting kit license to build custom hardware designs.

“The .NET Micro Framework extends Microsoft’s embedded offerings to an even smaller world of connected devices,” said Colin Miller, product unit manager of the .NET Micro Framework at Microsoft. “With version 2.5, we’ve made significant updates to the platform in response to partner feedback. Our partners continue to validate the platform. The .NET Micro Framework is already being used in a variety of current hardware offerings in the home and industrial automation markets, the automotive industry, in PC peripherals, and in a wide variety of innovative consumer devices.”