If you've been reading our blog or newsgroup, you probably already knew that version 3.0 of the .NET Micro Framework is well along in development. You also may have already read descriptions of some of the new features in 3.0. But if you wanted to get your hands on an early version of the SDK so you could start to use the new stuff, you were out of luck...until now.

Download the Beta
To encourage participation in our beta program, we are offering all participants a chance to win a cool new RicaVision VAVE100 universal remote control (shown below) worth almost $350! The beta program is open to everybody – so spread the word among your friends and colleagues today. Go to our site to see full details of the offer and to sign-up.
• Go to http://connect.microsoft.com/netmf
• Login to Connect using a Live ID account
• Answer a short survey to help us better understand our users
• Download the SDK, browse the newsgroups, provide feedback


New Features in Version 3.0
With this newsletter we're announcing the open beta program for the .NET Micro Framework v3.0 SDK. Version 3.0 adds a lot of the cool stuff you've asked for, including:

• Interop and native code linking
• Touch screen and inking/gesturing support
• USB device
• SSL (secure sockets) for the TCP/IP stack
• Visual Studio 2008 support
• DPWS (Devices Profile for Web Services), including new codegen tools
• 4bpp font support
• Enhanced and more compatible serial/UART model
• File system*
• 802.11 Wi-Fi infrastructure*
• Support for more cores and processor architectures*
• Publicly available Porting Kit for purchase* (separate product not included with the SDK)
(Features noted with * will not be available in the first public beta)

The version 3.0 SDK and Porting Kit are each expected to ship later this calendar year.

Hardware Support for the Beta
Device Solutions has announced support for their Tahoe development kit during the v3.0 beta and GHI Electronics has announced support for their USBizi and Embedded MultiMaster development kits with the v3.0 beta.