Slashdot Mirror
Linux's Future As The Next Embedded OS
CowboyRobot writes "ACM Queue has an interview with Jim Ready about how embedded systems differ from desktops and servers, and how they will help shape the future of Linux. From the article: Your car, for instance, now has telematics -- mapping, navigation, and entertainment systems -- that clearly present a very sophisticated user interface... The neat part for me now is that embedded systems can consist of Linux applications with beautiful graphical interfaces."
On embedded systems the user interface is generally customized to the application. That is true regardless of the interface and device: steering wheel, buttons + flashing 12:00, even the interface on an embedded device with a touchscreen running on top of a relatively normal graphics layer is customized to the purpose at hand.
That frees Linux from the constraints of GNOME, KDE, etc. that are very bloated and difficult to use. If you have to write your own complete interface anyway, then the barrier is about the same no matter the underlying native GUI. Where Linux GUI's are unable to compete (usability or speed-wise) with Windows or Macintosh on the desktop, that is little barrier for embedded systems.
Personally, I think that for embedded devices Windows CE is preferable technically, but when you are talking devices with $20-500 price range, the cost of licensing Windows for each device is a major concern. That is probably the biggest factor driving Linux adoption in this market.
I have to say that thats rubbish. It is only the recent trend that has blurred embedded OS with desktop OS which has produced this requirement. Vxworks for instance, which controls the majority of the market uses dosfs which does not seem to of affected its adoption.
What using linux as OS does mean is that you have a much larger choice on what you use. This can only be a good thing
Choose your allies carefully, it is highly unlikely you will be held accountable for the actions of your enemies