WebTV itself will probably be the first consumer-level set-top device to run Windows CE.
"I think you'll see embedded Java running on top of Windows CE, " Morettini says.
Windows CE, on the other hand, is targeted at the hand-held and embedded-systems market.
Palm licensed its operating system to Nokia and Handspring, cutting Microsoft Windows CE off at the knees.
With Windows CE, " says Michalski, "I don't see a lot of grass-roots software or cool new stuff.
Motorola is also said to be considering using Windows CE as the operating system for such a device.
NetDisplay uses the Windows CE operating system, but enables full Windows NT workspace functions on a thin client.
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That was the case with the operating system Windows CE, which just had its second anniversary, Sanchez said.
If you own a Windows CE machine and want handwriting recognition, get CalliGrapher.
However, thanks to Windows CE underpinnings, that's about the most it can manage.
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For Gates, though, Venus has an extra advantage: it could help overcome problems faced by Windows CE back home.
Computer Intelligence recently inked a deal to supply a version of its handwriting recognition software, Jot, with every copy of Windows CE shipped.
"Windows CE was not meeting requirements, it was said to be too complex and too robust, " for handheld devices, McKenzie said.
Microsoft has countered by importing Windows CE, a stripped-down version of Windows that can run anything from cellular telephones to videogame consoles, to palm-size computers.
Actually, Dreamcast will ship with two operating systems, a proprietary one from Sega and Windows CE, Microsoft's "lite" operating system for consumer devices.
The first product based on the design, the SH7729, was also unveiled Thursday and will support Microsoft's Windows CE operating system, Hitachi said.
One of the best features of devices such as the Palm Pilot and palm-size Windows CE computers is easy synchronization with desktop PCs.
Dreamcast will also ship with a Microsoft operating system: Windows CE.
The head set runs on Windows CE, and has WiFi connectivity.
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Eaton will be able to attach its sensors and connect all the wiring back to a flat-panel display running the Windows CE operating system in the cab.
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.
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.
Dataquest's Martin criticized both the PalmPilot and Windows CE devices.
The recognition isn't quite as good as CalliGrapher, but running CalliGrapher means using a Windows CE machine, an operating system that is far too complex for a mere electronic organizer.
Sharp Electronics unveiled its Mobilon TriPad PV-6000, a Windows CE-based computing device that can be used in three different operating positions: standard notebook (clamshell), pen tablet (slate), or easel mode.
"Windows CE handhelds have not been a success compared to Palm or Psion because of the fact that Microsoft has been trying to squeeze PC applications into a smaller mobile device, " said Harris-Evans.
While some like the FirstView PC607V tablet (pictured above) have attractive skins on top of Windows CE, others from companies like Forsa and Huawei have gone with stock versions of Android.
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Other cable companies like Cablevision and Time Warner have also inked deals with Sun for using Java OS. Sun's rivals include Microsoft's Windows CE, OpenTV, and Power TV from Scientific Atlanta.
The software updates itself automatically over the Internet, and is available for each of the four main device platforms: Palm's Palm OS, Microsoft's Pocket PC and Windows CE, and Symbian's EPOC.
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