android_borgcubeFor the last 10+ years Microsoft has had a grip on the desktop operating system market but also in the embedded market with Windows CE.  This is an area that Microsoft has had a very dominating control over for a long time but the winds of change are blowing.

Since Google released Android for cell phones people are starting to see opportunities for it in other areas as well.  Android is essentially a flavor of Linux but one that is geared for portable devices.  In the last few months there have been multiple devices coming out featuring it.  Motorola has even been working with Android to power an electronic paper device.  More companies are seeing Android’s potential and are looking for ways to implement it.

Windows CE an OS originally released in 1996 has been around for a surprisingly long time but now it’s position as the embedded operating system of choice is being threatened by Google’s Android.  As hard as it is for Microsoft to swallow they are in a fight for their life and need to innovate more to keep up with the competition.

Check It Out> Gigaom, Moto Labs, Windows CE (wiki)