Andy Sjostrom
08-22-2002, 08:29 AM
<a href="http://msnbc-cnet.com.com/2100-1001-954777.html?type=pt&part=msnbc&tag=alert&form=feed&subj=cnetnews">http://msnbc-cnet.com.com/2100-1001-954777.html?type=pt&part=msnbc&tag=alert&form=feed&subj=cnetnews</a><br /><br />This CNET article reports that chipmaker Transmeta is now certified to work with the Windows CE .NET operating system. Transmeta's Crusoe chips are known to compete against ARM based processor from, for example, Intel. The certification opens up new avenues into the embedded market for Transmeta. Windows CE .NET is much more than just handheld devices, as it is a modular operating system found working in all sorts of products: medical equipment, gas pumps, industrial devices, robots and so on.<br /><br />"Now manufacturers that buy Transmeta's chips will be better able to develop devices based on the Windows CE operating system, the company said. With certification, Transmeta chips can now be used in digital cameras, industrial equipment or other devices that use Windows CE .Net. ... Most chips sold in the embedded market, though, are already energy-efficient and are based around designs from ARM Holdings or MIPS Technologies. Transmeta will try to distinguish its chips through higher clock speeds and native compatibility with software for the Windows operating system."<br /><br />Not long ago analysts played out scenarios that suggested that Transmeta was a threat to Microsoft's embedded operating systems. Now we know for sure they are not. I doubt we will see Transmeta's chips in Pocket PCs, unless they too start building ARM based processors. But the fact that they are eyeing the Windows CE market is a good thing and perhaps it can scare some speed into Intel's coming XScale processors!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/raft_01.jpg" />