Windows cannot be used in real-time systems, because it cannot guarantee consistent response times to external events. You need specialised systems for that. But if the reaction time isn't critical, it can be used. Which is fine for a lot of systems.
I'd imagine they'll be for non critical stuff not life support or controlling the rods at a nuclear power plant etc but for things like cad/cam, linking an x ray machine to a remote custom tablet gizzmo etc, if you are a developer of embeded stuff then the source code is available at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sharedsource/windows-embedded-ce-licensing-program.aspx
Windows can be used in medical and industrial processes for off-line processing. It is not uncommon, particularly in industrial systems, to have a DAQ front-end implementing RTOS functionality which then pipes the data back to a Windows box for processing. Cost-effective modular design.
I think the bigger impact will be determined by how the 3rd parties react. For example when HP decide to stop including XP drivers with their new printers, or if it became impossible to run a modern web browser. Its changes like that which will be more noticeable to the average Joe rather than the Windows Update dialog not popping up anymore.
As someone mentioned in a previous thread there will almost certainly be enough of a market for antivirus vendors to provide some form of limited support afterwards for those that are prepared to pay for it.
This is the most likely scenario, if W2k is anything to go by. I had a Windows 2000 machine streaming music continuously for two years, connected permanently to the internet, following the withdrawal of support for Windows 2000, and had no problems at all with it or its reliability.
The only problem I eventually ran up against was when the old graphics card gave up the ghost and the new card had no W2k driver. Not wanting to pay extra towards an old machine, I ran it on Linux afterwards.
I think the bigger impact will be determined by how the 3rd parties react. For example when HP decide to stop including XP drivers with their new printers, or if it became impossible to run a modern web browser. Its changes like that which will be more noticeable to the average Joe rather than the Windows Update dialog not popping up anymore.
For private users, probably. Most big companies will no doubt be scheduling their W7 rollout before time runs out.
Comments
Windows can be used in medical and industrial processes for off-line processing. It is not uncommon, particularly in industrial systems, to have a DAQ front-end implementing RTOS functionality which then pipes the data back to a Windows box for processing. Cost-effective modular design.
Dave
This is the most likely scenario, if W2k is anything to go by. I had a Windows 2000 machine streaming music continuously for two years, connected permanently to the internet, following the withdrawal of support for Windows 2000, and had no problems at all with it or its reliability.
The only problem I eventually ran up against was when the old graphics card gave up the ghost and the new card had no W2k driver. Not wanting to pay extra towards an old machine, I ran it on Linux afterwards.
For private users, probably. Most big companies will no doubt be scheduling their W7 rollout before time runs out.