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I know I will be sticking with AMD....

Umm... AMD is part of Trusted Computing Group.

I'm sure the "15X" numbers were generated by averaging the peak FLOPs, bandwidths, etc. for the Xbox vs. the Xbox 360, but most of the boost comes from the CPU, which is "80X!!" more powerful than the original (115.2 GFLOP vs 1.5 GFLOP).

The other numbers are much more pedestrian: ~twice as high clock speed on the GPU, though a lot wider, 8 times the RAM - most of the rest of the bandwidth, poly pushing, is about 4-5 times the original.

The Xbox 360 is not 1 TFLOP - the processor is just 115.2 GFLOP, and the rest of the marketroid 1 TFLOP number is from the GPU.

The important numbers, in my mind, are 22.4 GB/s - bandwidth to main memory - which is 3.5X the Xbox's bandwidth, but now it's shared between 6 threads and a GPU rather than 1 thread and a GPU. You can't get 15X performance - can't - with only 3.5X the bandwidth (and equivalent latency).

As for Rare's demos: that's almost exactly the same thing Nintendo did with the GameCube versus the N64 (and almost the same number of characters...). I wouldn't use "number of onscreen characters" as a linear performance metric.

This next-gen leap is about equivalent to each of the previous ones.

I'm pretty sure Xbox 360 could handle 15x as many textured, lit and shaded polies as the Xbox 1.

Last I heard, Xbox 360's peak polygon fill rate is 500M/s, not 6G/s, compared to the Xbox's 116.5M/s. So, uh, no, it can't. It can dump a lot more textures on those polygons - about four times more - but in terms of raw polygons, no, it can't.

So what's *your* definition of more powerful?

It's not my definition of "more" powerful. It's my definition of 15X more powerful. I never said it wasn't more powerful - it's just not "15X" more powerful. That's just silly. It can't run at 15X higher resolution, for instance. It can't have textures with 15X the detail of the original.

Tell me why linux is more secure than WinCE? These are embedded OSs. What are you gonna exploit on winCE or embedded linux? Also how is it more flexible? WindowsCE comes with source so you can strip out stuff you don't need and customize it. As for cost, it is less than $3 a device.

I hereby nominate this image as the gayest image to ever associated with linux.

Actually, If they're anything like the original Robosapien, these are immensely hackable -- Mark Tilden (the creator) actually designed them with this in mind. Check out here and here to see what sorts of things people have done.

Going by this article, HP's de100c Digital Entertainment Center from a few years ago was linux based, and was the predacessor to the HP z545 Digital Entertainment Center now running MCE2005. http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS7034640509 .html/ HP didn't find linux to be a viable option as a MCE device? Hrmmmm ... interesting.

You were the one suggesting Apple should give away all their source

And that if they did that they would somehow be on a level playing field with MS, who give away none (nada, zip, 0%) of their operating system in source code form, or for free.

I'm not an HP exec, but here oges
Here's the new machine specs.
And this is the Linux equivalent, circa 2001.
Now which one would you take?
It's just a nice x86 machine in a dvd-player form-factor, with manufacturer-supplied drivers for all the components.
I've been using Linux for years, but what value is linux going to add for a machine like this? the MTBF,cust satisfaction is all a load of bull.

In 2001 the Xybernaut POMA/Hitachi WIA came with Wince 3.0 and a 800x600 head worn display.

There was no screen nor keyboard, but there was an optical thumb mouse. Fortunately, it had USB, so you could attach a keyboard. However, there was no audio in which meant there was no speech recognition. Moreover, it was running an hitachi SH-4 CPU which meant there was hardly any software. Especially drivers for devices.

The display also fit poorly. Xybernaut has since stopped selling them.

We'll see what happens this time especially since the new display is much cheaper and doesn't come with a system.

http://www.hitachi.us/Apps/hitachicom/content.jsp? page=PressReleases/details/Hitachi,%20Shimadzu,%20 Colorado%20Microdisplay,%20and%20Xybernaut%20Coope rate%20for%20WIA.html&path=jsp/hitachi/aboutus/Pre ss-Media/

http://www.xybernaut.com/company/public/outside%20 articles/electronic080601.htm

http://www.windowsfordevices.com/articles/AT927776 5970.html

After seeing this picture I can already guess how every conversation will go:
1: What games does it play?
2: it doesn't, just video and mp3s
1: how much was it?
2: $500
1: wow you got ripped off!


Think I'll wait until they have a portable game system that does everything this thing does AND play games (PSP, anyone?)

Windows CE - After many years and many many Palm still dominates PDA's, not to mention Linux in the embedded market!

Or not

They forgot to include :
My MPAA lawsuits
My RIAA lawsuits
My upcoming jail terms
DirectPay (TM) money transfer

It's about time somebody came up with a Personal Lawsuit Origanizer.

Before everyone gets in an uproar over the word 'Microsoft', remember that this device simply follows the standard Microsoft created.

It's based on an ARM processor, so should this device ever take off, the ARM Linux port could easily be customized to take advantage of all the features.

This could also be used as a MP3/video player for your living room stereo and TV, connected to the server via the built in ethernet.

Also, if you look carefully at this larger view, notice the device could make a really cool portable gaming device. Imagine running MAME on this...

Of course, if Linux were loaded on the device we would not need to worry about silly things such as DRM (included in the Microsoft specification.)

Great, two completely wrong posts get modded "4 - Insightful". Figures.

CE can do hard and soft real-time. Don't take my word for it - take Dedicated Systems Experts' word for it (remember, we're talking 3.0/4.x/5.0 here, not 2.0 - huge difference), or OMAC (via WindowsForDevices).

You are nobody, both sources are respected, cross-vendor, cross-platform experts.

You had better have a good firewall in your garage for those times when your car says to you we're home, would you like me to go online and fetch your calendar updates?

It's one thing for an unfirewalled windoze 98 box to be hacked and compromised by a remote attacker. It's quite another to have your vehicle compromised unbeknownst to you--

I don't think I want my car "crashing" its OS while I'm at the wheel, unrelated to any driving choices/mistakes I may have made. I can see it now--

"Honest Officer! I think my car must have caught the Download.Ject virus this morning!" I didn't drive into that bridge abutment on my own! Honest!!" The officer replies--

"Sir, didn't you listen to the latest Microsoft warning? You should never use your steering wheel / joystick to surf to 'unsafe' websites with IE! Now I have to write you a Stupid-Ticket."

But seriously...

How concerned are other developers about MS style code being let loose in a critical system like an automobile? I mean, running a PDA or a desktop printer is one thing. When they crash, people aren't so likely to DIE! A malfunctioning four ton Ford Excursion, on the other hand, is something I'd really rather not encounter.

Could the jukebox in this picture possibly be the one on this site?

The Dreamcast was (and still is) one of the greatest 3D game system ever made. Its failure comes from the lack of good advertisment and the possibility to copy games very easily. It has absolutely no connection with this piece of crap that won't fill any so called needs.

I got a chance to talk to one of my bank's IT people about this a few months ago, and basically, they don't know what's causing the crashes because analyzing the log files would just be too much trouble. So their SOP is to have some guy with a key come out, literally pull the plug on the machine and wait till it reboots.

He also told me that they were slowly migrating over to a "custom XP version", whatever that's supposed to mean. I probably should have told him that Windows machines can be prone to virus infections (cough cought).

Apparently the selling point of every new portable gaming system is its ability to play some version of Tomb Raider. Otherwise looks like they've already built most of the toys I'd build myself if I had time to do so....

It looks to me like Motorola's i.MX Reference Design PDA is running Linux and the Qtopia embedded windowing system from TrollTech. The device is about halfway down the page.

Or, the (crappy) picture can be found here.

Quotes that stuck out for me;

1. Under the new scheme, Windows CE .NET will be licensed according to three runtime alternatives -- "Windows CE .NET 4.2 Core," which includes a basic subset of CE .NET components and will be available at an estimated retail price (ERP) of $3; a "Windows CE. NET 4.2 Professional" version priced at $15 (ERP), which includes the balance of CE .NET other than image, PDF, and Office file viewers; and a "Windows CE. NET 4.2 Professional Plus" version, which adds the viewers.

Note that there is no comment on what "Professional Plus" licence costs are. These licences cover;

1. Windows CE .NET 4.2 Core -- includes baseline CE .NET operating system components, including the kernel, filesystem, networking and communications stacks, and multimedia functions, plus the application development platform. Microsoft said it is targeting this new low-end package at developers and manufacturers of "low-cost devices such as gateways, entry-level VoIP phones, industrial automation equipment, and consumer electronic devices such as CD players, digital cameras, and networked DVD players."
2. Windows CE. NET 4.2 Professional -- additional system components are now structured into a high-end bundle called the Windows CE. NET 4.2 Professional license. According to Microsoft, the additional programs and functions included in this package include Windows Messenger, WordPad, the Remote Desktop Protocol, and Internet Explorer 6. The company said this software bundle is aimed toward devices requiring "the richest user interface, multimedia and browsing capabilities, including set-top boxes, advanced VoIP devices, mobile handhelds and digital media players."
3. Windows CE. NET 4.2 Professional -- this version is nearly identical to the second one, but adds CE .NET viewers for images, PDFs, and Office-compatible documents (including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are available as extra-cost components.

Note that the last part of the sentence is "viewers ... are available as extra-cost components" meaning per-item costs.

Now, you don't have to settle for just your ATM being infected by the next Blaster worm.

You can now enjoy the comfort of experiencing MS Blaster on your new Artista 200E Sewing System! Imagine the luxury of devising creation after creation with only 60 seconds to make it! Only Microsoft could possibly think of this... :D

Sewing System

...the Poma wearable PC still looks dorky!

Has anyone used the Poma Wearable PC ??

Description: The Personal Optical Mobile Assistant (POMA) Wearable PC is a small wearable PC in a headset form factor for browsing the Internet. There is no boot time and gives the wearer the ability to privately view websites and access information...

I would like to see a review of this and any similar device posted on /.

Such a beast exists, although it runs WinCE. My main machine has an 800x480 screen, though only 5" in size. Touch typable keyboard, etc too. sigmarion III. Fits in my pocket though, unlike a clamshell with a 7" screen. $500, which is very cheap compared to the handful of contenders.

Buuut, there is a similar beast with a bigger screen and very similar stats. The Zupera Smartbook. Has a slower CPU though- 206 MHz StrongARM. (XGA = 800x480)

Now all someone has to do is port Linux, NetBSD, whatver. Shouldn't be that bad, though I don't know what support chips it uses, which really is where the work comes in with these PDAs.

I do have a question though: They say "WorldVibrations says the WVRS can operate fully automated and unattended, precisely scheduling programs, music, and announcements 24 hours a day, seven days a week.". So do they consider dead air from reboots and BSOD to be part of the programming?

For far less than the price of a real desktop, you can get a Windows Thin Client that will work and play well with your NT servers.

For a lab, you may even be able to get volume pricing.

Well Microsoft is doing well in the embedded space.
According to this report, developing with Microsoft embedded products is 43% faster, and 68% cheaper.

Ok, I think I've figured it out- all of your antagonism stems from an initial misunderstanding of what I said at first, and have been misinterpreting my every word after that.

Given that you're unable to see the most obvious benefits of Linux over Windows CE for the embedded hardware developer, I'd say I still question the 'reasoning' behind your actual movites for contributing to this thread.

I understand the benefit sof Linux over Windows CE in plenty of situations. Re-read my posts if you must. You seem to have skipped the parts where I say good things about embedded Linux. Linux is great. Linux is swell. I LOVE LINUX! I run Linux in a number of places. However, that doesn't change the fact that what you can do with Linux, you can do with CE.

Anywho, here is some food for thought- I saw it over on NewMobileComputing. Although, since it is an article stating that total cost of development for WinCE on embedded systems can be cheaper than the same Linux solution, I imagine it is just a lie concocted by the Evil Horned One, Billy G himself, right?

Not saying I trust the study, but interesting none the less... But EVIL! Don't bother reading that link- Linux is your best option anywhere!

Man, it'd sure be nice to get a chunk of that really small Linux out in the field. On my Zaurus, Linux+Qtopia takes up a whopping 18 MB of RAM on boot (WinCE takes up 2-3 MB). It'd be nice if Linux wasn't so memory hungry on that particular embedded system. :)

You woudln't happen to work for Microsoft's Advertising department, would you? If not...try just listing the link instead of the entire freak'in page content.

Jun. 23, 2003

Today was a big day for Microsoft's mobile devices software strategy. The company: (1) rolled out Pocket PC 2003 (and renamed it -- more on that later); (2) unveiled a new "Windows Mobile" branding strategy; and (3) launched a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers to provide easier access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi wireless "hot spots" by Windows-powered PDAs throughout the US.

The following three WindowsForDevices.com news items detail today's three announcements by Microsoft's mobile group . . .

* Microsoft unveils Pocket PC 2003 (but with a new name) -- according to Microsoft, the 2003 version of its Pocket PC software provides enhancements in the areas of increased ease of wireless network access, improved digital media experience, and support for developers building Microsoft .NET services and applications for Pocket PC devices. Story

* Microsoft announces new brand: "Windows Mobile" -- the new brand is intended to "extend the familiarity of the Windows brand, while reflecting the uniqueness of software for mobile devices," Microsoft said. Story

* Microsoft launches Wi-Fi "hot spot" collaboration, 30-day free service -- Microsoft announced a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers -- T-Mobile HotSpot, Boingo Wireless and Wayport. The arrangement is intended to make it easier for its US customers to locate, access, and use Wi-Fi wireless services with their mobile devices, through access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi "hot spot" locations in the US. Story

Additionally, a detailed list of key enhancements and new features in Pocket PC 2003 appears here.

Jun. 23, 2003

Today was a big day for Microsoft's mobile devices software strategy. The company: (1) rolled out Pocket PC 2003 (and renamed it -- more on that later); (2) unveiled a new "Windows Mobile" branding strategy; and (3) launched a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers to provide easier access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi wireless "hot spots" by Windows-powered PDAs throughout the US.

The following three WindowsForDevices.com news items detail today's three announcements by Microsoft's mobile group . . .

* Microsoft unveils Pocket PC 2003 (but with a new name) -- according to Microsoft, the 2003 version of its Pocket PC software provides enhancements in the areas of increased ease of wireless network access, improved digital media experience, and support for developers building Microsoft .NET services and applications for Pocket PC devices. Story

* Microsoft announces new brand: "Windows Mobile" -- the new brand is intended to "extend the familiarity of the Windows brand, while reflecting the uniqueness of software for mobile devices," Microsoft said. Story

* Microsoft launches Wi-Fi "hot spot" collaboration, 30-day free service -- Microsoft announced a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers -- T-Mobile HotSpot, Boingo Wireless and Wayport. The arrangement is intended to make it easier for its US customers to locate, access, and use Wi-Fi wireless services with their mobile devices, through access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi "hot spot" locations in the US. Story

Additionally, a detailed list of key enhancements and new features in Pocket PC 2003 appears here.

Jun. 23, 2003

Today was a big day for Microsoft's mobile devices software strategy. The company: (1) rolled out Pocket PC 2003 (and renamed it -- more on that later); (2) unveiled a new "Windows Mobile" branding strategy; and (3) launched a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers to provide easier access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi wireless "hot spots" by Windows-powered PDAs throughout the US.

The following three WindowsForDevices.com news items detail today's three announcements by Microsoft's mobile group . . .

* Microsoft unveils Pocket PC 2003 (but with a new name) -- according to Microsoft, the 2003 version of its Pocket PC software provides enhancements in the areas of increased ease of wireless network access, improved digital media experience, and support for developers building Microsoft .NET services and applications for Pocket PC devices. Story

* Microsoft announces new brand: "Windows Mobile" -- the new brand is intended to "extend the familiarity of the Windows brand, while reflecting the uniqueness of software for mobile devices," Microsoft said. Story

* Microsoft launches Wi-Fi "hot spot" collaboration, 30-day free service -- Microsoft announced a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers -- T-Mobile HotSpot, Boingo Wireless and Wayport. The arrangement is intended to make it easier for its US customers to locate, access, and use Wi-Fi wireless services with their mobile devices, through access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi "hot spot" locations in the US. Story

Additionally, a detailed list of key enhancements and new features in Pocket PC 2003 appears here.

Jun. 23, 2003

Today was a big day for Microsoft's mobile devices software strategy. The company: (1) rolled out Pocket PC 2003 (and renamed it -- more on that later); (2) unveiled a new "Windows Mobile" branding strategy; and (3) launched a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers to provide easier access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi wireless "hot spots" by Windows-powered PDAs throughout the US.

The following three WindowsForDevices.com news items detail today's three announcements by Microsoft's mobile group . . .

* Microsoft unveils Pocket PC 2003 (but with a new name) -- according to Microsoft, the 2003 version of its Pocket PC software provides enhancements in the areas of increased ease of wireless network access, improved digital media experience, and support for developers building Microsoft .NET services and applications for Pocket PC devices. Story

* Microsoft announces new brand: "Windows Mobile" -- the new brand is intended to "extend the familiarity of the Windows brand, while reflecting the uniqueness of software for mobile devices," Microsoft said. Story

* Microsoft launches Wi-Fi "hot spot" collaboration, 30-day free service -- Microsoft announced a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers -- T-Mobile HotSpot, Boingo Wireless and Wayport. The arrangement is intended to make it easier for its US customers to locate, access, and use Wi-Fi wireless services with their mobile devices, through access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi "hot spot" locations in the US. Story

Additionally, a detailed list of key enhancements and new features in Pocket PC 2003 appears here.

• Microsoft unveils Pocket PC 2003 (but with a new name) -- according to Microsoft, the 2003 version of its Pocket PC software provides enhancements in the areas of increased ease of wireless network access, improved digital media experience for high quality stills of Rob Malda with various homosexual men, and support for developers building Microsoft .NET services and applications for Pocket PC devices. Story
  
  
• Microsoft announces new brand: "Windows Mobile" -- the new brand is intended to "extend the familiarity of the Windows brand, while reflecting the uniqueness of software for mobile devices," Microsoft said. Story
  
  
• Microsoft launches Wi-Fi "hot spot" collaboration, 30-day free service -- Microsoft announced a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers -- T-Mobile HotSpot, Boingo Wireless and Wayport. The arrangement is intended to make it easier for its US customers to locate, access, and use Wi-Fi wireless services with their mobile devices, through access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi "hot spot" locations in the US. Story

• -- . Story -->

• Microsoft unveils Pocket PC 2003 (but with a new name) -- according to Microsoft, the 2003 version of its Pocket PC software provides enhancements in the areas of increased ease of wireless network access, improved digital media experience for high quality stills of Rob Malda with various homosexual men, and support for developers building Microsoft .NET services and applications for Pocket PC devices. Story
  
  
• Microsoft announces new brand: "Windows Mobile" -- the new brand is intended to "extend the familiarity of the Windows brand, while reflecting the uniqueness of software for mobile devices," Microsoft said. Story
  
  
• Microsoft launches Wi-Fi "hot spot" collaboration, 30-day free service -- Microsoft announced a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers -- T-Mobile HotSpot, Boingo Wireless and Wayport. The arrangement is intended to make it easier for its US customers to locate, access, and use Wi-Fi wireless services with their mobile devices, through access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi "hot spot" locations in the US. Story

• -- . Story -->

• Microsoft unveils Pocket PC 2003 (but with a new name) -- according to Microsoft, the 2003 version of its Pocket PC software provides enhancements in the areas of increased ease of wireless network access, improved digital media experience for high quality stills of Rob Malda with various homosexual men, and support for developers building Microsoft .NET services and applications for Pocket PC devices. Story
  
  
• Microsoft announces new brand: "Windows Mobile" -- the new brand is intended to "extend the familiarity of the Windows brand, while reflecting the uniqueness of software for mobile devices," Microsoft said. Story
  
  
• Microsoft launches Wi-Fi "hot spot" collaboration, 30-day free service -- Microsoft announced a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers -- T-Mobile HotSpot, Boingo Wireless and Wayport. The arrangement is intended to make it easier for its US customers to locate, access, and use Wi-Fi wireless services with their mobile devices, through access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi "hot spot" locations in the US. Story

• -- . Story -->

• Microsoft unveils Pocket PC 2003 (but with a new name) -- according to Microsoft, the 2003 version of its Pocket PC software provides enhancements in the areas of increased ease of wireless network access, improved digital media experience for high quality stills of Rob Malda with various homosexual men, and support for developers building Microsoft .NET services and applications for Pocket PC devices. Story
  
  
• Microsoft announces new brand: "Windows Mobile" -- the new brand is intended to "extend the familiarity of the Windows brand, while reflecting the uniqueness of software for mobile devices," Microsoft said. Story
  
  
• Microsoft launches Wi-Fi "hot spot" collaboration, 30-day free service -- Microsoft announced a collaboration with three leading high-speed wireless service providers -- T-Mobile HotSpot, Boingo Wireless and Wayport. The arrangement is intended to make it easier for its US customers to locate, access, and use Wi-Fi wireless services with their mobile devices, through access to more than 3,500 Wi-Fi "hot spot" locations in the US. Story

• -- . Story -->

LinuxDevices.com has published a detailed SPECIAL REPORT on the Embedded Systems Conference which includes a summary of Linux oriented announcements, plus a story on the best-of-show awards, and also the PC/104 design contest winners, announced this morning. Its sister site, WindowsForDevices.com, has published a similar special report, but more oriented toward embedded Windows perspective -- that one includes a table of the awesome set of gadgets and devices on display in the Microsoft pavilion.

... is that MS has realised that, without opening up in this way, WinCE doesn't have a hope in hell of making it onto phones.

Case in point: Sendo, who were the main UK manufacturer of WinCE-based phones, eventually gave up and switched to Symbian. One of the reasons behind the move was the release version of Stinger (WinCE for phones) getting later and later and playing havoc with their schedules.

It's worth noting, though, that there's still a lot of ugliness left over with the Sendo case, with suits and counter-suits going back and forth. Andrew Orlowski's piece in The Register contains many fascinating bits, but most interesting (and most applicable here) is that the main thing Sendo couldn't handle was their own code going back to MS to be incorporated into the OS, thus losing any competitive edge.

The new WinCE license demands such code returns. It shows they've learned their lessons about lawsuits, but maybe not about what their OEM customers actually want.

[Updated 10:10 pm PDT] -- Microsoft Corp. "dropped the other shoe" today, as it were, announcing the first source code sharing program for its Windows CE embedded operating system (OS) that allows developers and manufacturers to actually redistribute modified OS code in real products. Previously, the commercial use of Windows CE source code was essentially restricted to technical support purposes only, in that developers could use the code to solve problems and understand how to work within the capabilities of the OS, but were not permitted to employ modified Windows CE code to fix bugs, add functions, or tune the OS to tight resource constraints. Under the terms of a new "premium" shared source license, Microsoft will now allow silicon vendors and systems integrators "full access" to Windows CE source code, including rights to redistribute modified code within commercial products. This capability is generally considered critical among developers of embedded systems and devices, either to tune the systems to their unique requirements, or to differentiate their products. In Microsoft's own words: "Shared Source Premium code empowers licensees to optimize and differentiate software and hardware for Windows CE."

Additionally, "CEP also includes a customer feedback program, which enables customer collaboration and community contribution to ongoing improvements to Windows CE products," Microsoft said.

"This is the first time that Microsoft has allowed derivative works to be produced from one of our operating system platform products," noted Craig Mundie, Microsoft senior vice president and chief technical officer of Advanced Strategies and Policy, in a conference call tonight. Customers doing so will still able to take advantage of the "Windows CE" brand, he added.

Mundie also said there is no extra cost for the "Premium" shared source program. Currently, there is no decision to open up XP Embedded source code, Mundie added.

This is the first time that the "complete body of Windows CE source code" has been made available, Mundie added. In answer to WindowsForDevices.com's question, "What percentage of CE source code is available?", Mundie replied "as close to 100% as we can make it -- we can't release sources that belong to other companies." Most operating systems contain code licensed from other sources.

Mundie said customer modifications per the new license must be sublicensed back to Microsoft -- without royalty -- so that Microsoft has rights to incorporate the changes into its products if it so chooses. However, Mundie added, companies can request a 6-month delay before Microsoft can release a version of Windows CE that contains the customer-contributed code, allowing the customer to have a "leg up on the competition."

To provide added perspective on this extremely significant announcement from Microsoft, WindowsForDevices.com brings you this Special Report, which includes Microsoft's full announcement of the new CEP Shared Source program along with a roundup of some of the more interesting news items and articles from around the web that relate to this announcement. Additional links will be added as they come to our attention, so check back here for the latest.

Press release: Microsoft Announces First Windows CE Shared Source Program to Allow Commercial Distribution of Modified Source Code -- "Microsoft Corp. today announced the latest addition to its Shared Source Initiative, the Windows CE Shared Source Premium Licensing Program (CEP), . . . the first Windows CE program under the Shared Source Initiative to allow [manufacturers], silicon vendors, and systems integrators full access to Windows CE source code. All licensees will be able to modify the code, and OEMs now can commercially distribute those modifications in Windows CE-based devices . . ." Announcement

CNET: Windows CE plan draws criticism -- This article highlights reactions to Microsoft's an