Wysiwig,
Philosophically, embedded systems are different from PCs. An embedded system is meant to do just one thing, and doing that one thing well, which means an embedded device doesn't need to be capable of running many different applications.
This is the advantage of VxWorks over CE. WRS has many partners. FlashPoint, being an example, develops a digital camera imaging related platform on top of VxWorks. FlashPoint calls this platform an Operating Environment. WRS has many such partners who are building many operating environments. This business model will guarantee a piece of the post-PC market for WRS.
While WRS' model is subtle and well suited for the discrete-natured embedded market, Microsoft is pushing CE forcefully into three not so discrete and potentially lucrative markets -- Auto-PC, Set-tops, and PDAs. Microsoft has correctly defined these markets. And it is trying to over-power every other RTOS vendor with its unparalleled amount of resources. No one else can invest billions of dollars into AT&T, and no one else can develop and market products in all of these markets at the same time.
WRS doesn't have the resources nor the need to go against Microsoft directly; its partners will. WRS' focus should be on creating good technologies, and supporting its customers well so that such technologies can be used widely.
As for your concern that CE will have thousands of applications while VxWorks wont, I don't think most embedded devices will need many applications; they just need a specific set of application that allows them to perform their specific tasks. Microsoft has applications such as Excel and Word for CE, but I can't see an auto-PC, set-top, or Cellular/PDA using any of these applications. VxWorks will have its many application specific environments and applications. And comparing to thousands of CE software, these applications will run better, demand less resources, and cost less.
In conclusion, while Microsoft will flex it muscle in the embedded market, WRS is more naturally suited to compete in the market. The nature of the embedded market is discrete, it is nearly impossible for anyone to dominant this market horizontally and vertically at the same time. My prediction is that Microsoft will have some success, but the market is so huge, just a portion of it will keep WRS busy for the next decade.
(But I am short sighted. Tornado for switches better ship this quarter.)
Regards,
Khan |
