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Windows CE going Open Source?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the interesting-idea dept.

Pseudo Nim wrote to us with an interesting editorial from IT Director. Citing internal sources inside of Microsoft, the column claims that due to fear of competing with Linux in the embedded space, the WinCE folks are considering open sourcing Windows CE. I don't know how much stock I place in the rumours, but it's a very interesting proposition.

3 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I think you're confused about real-time OS by jfunk · · Score: 4

    I'd have to agree.

    For some reason, people see "embedded RTOS" and assume it's great for all embedded systems.

    Now I've never done embedded systems such as PDAs, set tops, etc but I have done machines and instrumentation. That's where it's *really* useful.

    ABS system in a car: real-time, unless you're an idiot.

    Robotic factory machines (which I've done): real-time. You don't want that gripper to grip a little too early/late or you'll risk damage. You have to make sure that the analysis you're doing from sensor input (load cell, etc) doesn't screw up your timing. Priorities are your friend.

    PDA/set-top box: Traditional OS. Real-time will give you no advantage.

    Well, unless someone can give me a good reason. Remember that I've never done a set-top or PDA before. I may be missing something.

  2. Not quite by EngrBohn · · Score: 5
    According to the article, the rumors are
    • MS WinCE team has concluded that open source development tools are superior to MS' WinCE development tools
    • MS is secretly funding ports of these tools to CE
    The author then asks whether MS will take the next step and open-source WinCE, and answers his own question as "unlikely".
    Christopher A. Bohn
    --
    cb
    Oooh! What does this button do!?
  3. Nothing to do with Linux by rde · · Score: 4

    last week some time, there was one of those instant poll thingies so beloved of us all on CNN. The question was which PDA OS do you use. The answer, overwhelmingly (at the time) was Palm.
    Microsoft do not dominate the PDA market. Anything they do, therefore, is solely to beat Palm. And I'm sure lots of geeks know about palm beating.