Embedded Roadmap Update

Two embedded OS platforms will get updates in 2012 and 2013 according to a revised roadmap announced in Nov. 2011. The platforms enable hardware designers to build customized OS images and develop applications for specialized devices such as kiosks and handheld data terminals. The planned updates will enable designers to exploit Microsoft’s latest development environment, Visual Studio 2010, and technologies in Windows 8, the new version of Windows that is likely to arrive in late 2012 or early 2013.

Windows Embedded Standard, which can be used to build a customized image of the Windows client OS for devices such as kiosks, will receive a new version built on Windows 8 for both x86 and ARM processor architectures. The new version, labeled Windows Embedded Standard 8 here and which Microsoft calls “v.Next,” is planned for release three quarters after Windows 8 general availability, which would put it in late 2013 or early 2014. Shortly after Windows 8 ships, Microsoft also plans to update Windows Embedded Enterprise (not shown), a Windows client OS licensing option for Windows device manufacturers.