But before we tell you to jump past the break to check out the short demo, we want to break the news to you that this UI was created just to show off the capabilities of the new CE platform -- there's no plan to bring it to market as is on Microsoft's end at the moment.
ENGADGET: Microsoft Windows Embedded Compact 7 tablet prototype preview
CE, Microsoft's scaled-down operating system for the consumer market.
The problem with CE is just that--it's still Windows, with nearly all the features (and complexities) of a miniaturized desktop computer.
Look, Moblin and MIDs and USB 3.0 are all well and good, but the real highlight of IDF is hiding in plain sight: it's Intel's CE 3100 Media Processor-based Tru2way DVR server, which has three digital cable tuners that can be streamed over a regular gigabit Ethernet or MoCA to any number of clients, ranging from other 3100-based set-top boxes to DLNA devices like laptops and even the PS3.
ENGADGET: Video: Intel Tru2way server streams cable all over your house
Microsoft's scaled-down OS, Windows CE, is already appearing in cable boxes, and Microsoft is positioning it to create other appliances with attitude -- let's call them active appliances.
The company's breakthrough solution, the Nectar Mobile Power System, delivers the only viable small form-factor battery replacement that provides the enormous run-time improvements demanded by today's CE devices.
ENGADGET: Lilliputian debuts Nectar Mobile Power, promises two weeks of battery life per cell
Running on the software giant's Windows CE operating system, a stripped-down version of its desktop software, the devices will offer a calendar, address book, memo pad, voice recorder, e-mail and limited web browsing.
This isn't a normal CE DVD player here. (i.e. think Toshiba's first-gen HD DVD player but only bigger) It weighs in at an impressive 17lbs and seems to be built solid.
Founded in 1981, Wind River struggled early on, first from the meltdown in the telecommunications business, and then from increasing competition from both Microsoft 's (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) Windows CE operating system and Linux.
The precious little 4.3-inch Windows CE 5.0 (the photo shows XP but whatever) clamshell's got a 533MHz Samsung 2442A CPU, 128MB of SDRAM, between 1GB and 4GB of flash memory, and a USB 2.0 port on top of a host of optional features (GPS, DVB-T digital TV, WiFi, the ability to tell you the future).
ENGADGET: Seabright PC430 "micro PC" spurns keyboard, not coolness
We tested Graffiti on a Palm III, the latest incarnation of 3Com's bestselling machine, and the other programs on a top-of-the-line Windows CE device from Hewlett-Packard, the 660LX.
Because different companies use different operating systems, Symbol makes products based on the Palm (nasdaq: PALM - news - people) OS, Microsoft 's (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people) Pocket PC platform, Windows CE and DOS. What these products have in common is their durability.
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