Windows XP Embedded has recently got a series of Windows Vista features with Rollup 1.0 for Service Pack 2 Feature Pack 2007. The upgrade has in fact taken Windows XP Embedded SP2 to the Feature Pack 2008 milestone and users of the operating system on embedded devices will be able to benefit from Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11, User Mode Driver Framework, Remote Desktop Connection 6 and .NET Framework 3.0. But Microsoft is also delivering a better offer, nothing else than Windows Vista for Embedded Systems. The Redmond Company stripped the luxuriant offer it has in place with the client operating system and is offering only two editions of the platform for embedded systems, namely Windows Vista Ultimate Business.

"These operating systems are appropriate for dedicated embedded devices that require Windows Vista application compatibility, flexibility to deploy a custom user interface and familiar management technologies that make it easy to set up, use, and manage standalone or within an enterprise environment. Working with Windows Vista for Embedded Systems can help you shorten your development cycle through compatibility with thousands of production quality off-the-shelf applications, services and certified drivers. Windows Vista for Embedded Systems supports the most commonly used PC architecture processor families giving you the flexibility to easily migrate customized operating systems and applications," Microsoft revealed.

The Redmond Company is offering no less than 10 years of support with Vista for embedded systems. Microsoft informed that the two editions of Vista were designed for the desktop but that they were also made available for fixed-function or dedicated embedded systems. In this context, Vista for embedded systems does not come with the inherent benefits of Windows XP Embedded such as componentization or image customization. You will be able to access additional information about Windows Vista Business and Ultimate for embedded system via the Windows Embedded website.