More Media Center for the Masses

Microsoft has released to manufacturing (RTM) its new version of Windows Embedded Standard 7. Not jumping up and down? Well, this product when incorporated into your TV’s and other desktop devices will enable them to be better integrated into all of your media centric systems in your home including, well, your Windows 7 based PC’s through the magic of Windows Media Center.

From Digital Life Style Report:

SAN JOSE, Calif. — April 27, 2010 — Today during an industry address at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Silicon Valley, Microsoft Corp. announced the release to manufacturing of Windows Embedded Standard 7, delivering the power, familiarity and reliability of the Windows 7 operating system in a highly customizable and componentized form. OEMs can leverage Windows Embedded Standard 7 to create differentiated experiences and enhanced connectivity with Windows-based PCs, servers and online services on specialized devices, such as thin clients, digital signage and industrial controls for the enterprise, as well as set-top boxes (STBs), connected media devices (CMDs), and TVs for consumers.

Don’t get me wrong… I am excited about the idea, but not so much about the fact that I have to replace all of my technology to get this capability. It will be interesting to see if we will see some more upgrades to the XBox operating system to include these features, or upgrades to any of my already Media Center Extender devices or do I have to start from scratch again? I think we all know the answer to that one.

However, what are the possible benefits? Most of this will probably show up in specialized commercial products such as: Digital Signage, Set Top Boxes, TV’s, Power Management. The operating system will support functions like multi-touch and context aware touch. We’ll see thin client PC’s using this operating system to give them more compatibility with current Server architecture.

If you are interested in what Microsoft is doing with this new version of their embedded software, you can connect with Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of the Original Equipment Manufacturer Division at Microsoft, who shares more insight around recent OEM and partner activities with Windows Embedded Standard 7, the upcoming availability of Microsoft and Intel Corporation’s digital signage platform during Screen Media Expo Europe 2010 in London, and Microsoft’s commitment to Windows 7-based technologies for specialized devices, in his blog.