Windows Phone Thoughts: Windows Embedded Compact 7 (Formerly Windows CE)

"Windows Embedded Compact is the evolution of Windows Embedded CE. Compact is a componentized, real-time operating system used to create a wide range of small footprint enterprise and consumer devices. Windows Embedded Compact 7 uses the familiar tools OEMs already know to help create the next generation of devices with attractive, intuitive user experiences. Compact continues the history of embedded innovation started with the first release of CE, providing new technology to OEMs for building devices that stand apart from the competition."

Windows CE, the embedded OS that keeps on trucking, is now Windows Embedded Compact 7. It includes full Silverlight 3.0 support, the same version of Internet Explorer that's found in Windows Phone 7, and - amazingly - Flash 10.1 support. Flash is supported by Windows Embedded Compact 7 but not Windows Phone 7? That strikes me as somewhat odd. It runs on ARM processors, and can be installed in as little as 500 KB. Will we see this OS on any sort of consumer device? I doubt it. In past years we've seen a few tablets running Windows CE, but with all the momentum that Android has, I think the days of an embedded Windows OS on a consumer tablet are over. I'd guess we'll see this new OS in enterprise/vertical markets - industrial machinery, etc.