So if we take CE seriously from the ZD article, then either MSFT has to even junk CE Cedar, which is still too bulky (will they take a stake in WIND to correct this, kind of like they did with Apple?), or will MSFT face even more delays getting into thie RTOS small device market? This would give more time to WIND to deepen its leading position in the smaller ap mkt and even move upward with a standardized GUI (why not even underpin Palm? is this technically possible?).
Let's look at the home consumer market - the big enchilada. There are the computer makers not in the MSFT camp (eg Dell & Compaq). Apple I think wants to expand on the iMac into the home networking space for small devices - they'll need an RTOS for this. Others, like 3COM, even the telcoms/cable and perhaps Intel, will not want the wireless & network communications to small home devices to fall to MSFT & AT&T. Sun will be looking to promote Java. And don't forget the home appliance makers, Black & Decker, GE, etc. they have to consider their futures other than becoming commodity players.
Net-net, the value of the WIND property is increasing whether the stock reflects it or not, simply because it offers a more robust and intelligent alternative to CE. It is an open, neutral alternative. Look at is as a center point around which an alliance could be built, similar to what was done with Java. Should the "WIND hidden" approach be abandoned in favor of something like an "Intel Inside"?
Sincerely,
Ben |
