| SPECIAL REPORT: Microsoft grants "full access" to Windows CE source |
Apr. 09, 2003
[Updated 4/11/03 6:30 pm PDT] -- Microsoft Corp. "dropped the other shoe" today, as it were, announcing the first source code sharing program for its Windows CE embedded operating system (OS) that allows developers and manufacturers to actually redistribute modified OS code in real products. Previously, the commercial use of Windows CE source code was essentially restricted to technical support purposes only, in that developers could use the code to solve problems and understand how to work within the capabilities of the OS, but were not permitted to employ modified Windows CE code to fix bugs, add functions, or tune the OS to tight resource constraints.
Under the terms of a new "premium" shared source license, Microsoft will now allow silicon vendors and systems integrators "full access" to Windows CE source code, including rights to redistribute modified code within commercial products. This capability is generally considered critical among developers of embedded systems and devices, either to tune the systems to their unique requirements, or to differentiate their products. In Microsoft's own words: "Shared Source Premium code empowers licensees to optimize and differentiate software and hardware for Windows CE."
Additionally, "CEP also includes a customer feedback program, which enables customer collaboration and community contribution to ongoing improvements to Windows CE products," Microsoft said.
"This is the first time that Microsoft has allowed derivative works to be produced from one of our operating system platform products," noted Craig Mundie, Microsoft senior vice president and chief technical officer of Advanced Strategies and Policy, in a conference call tonight. Customers doing so will still able to take advantage of the "Windows CE" brand, he added.
Mundie also said there is no extra cost for the "Premium" shared source program. Currently, there is no decision to open up XP Embedded source code, Mundie added.
This is the first time that the "complete body of Windows CE source code" has been made available, Mundie added. In answer to WindowsForDevices.com's question, "What percentage of CE source code is available?", Mundie replied "as close to 100% as we can make it -- we can't release sources that belong to other companies." Most operating systems contain code licensed from other sources.
Mundie said customer modifications per the new license must be sublicensed back to Microsoft -- without royalty -- so that Microsoft has rights to incorporate the changes into its products if it so chooses. However, Mundie added, companies can request a 6-month delay before Microsoft can release a version of Windows CE that contains the customer-contributed code, allowing the customer to have a "leg up on the competition."
To provide added perspective on this extremely significant announcement from Microsoft, WindowsForDevices.com brings you this Special Report, which includes Microsoft's full announcement of the new CEP Shared Source program along with a roundup of some of the more interesting news items and articles from around the web that relate to this announcement. Additional links will be added as they come to our attention, so check back here for the latest. - Press release: Microsoft Announces First Windows CE Shared Source Program to Allow Commercial Distribution of Modified Source Code -- "Microsoft Corp. today announced the latest addition to its Shared Source Initiative, the Windows CE Shared Source Premium Licensing Program (CEP), . . . the first Windows CE program under the Shared Source Initiative to allow [manufacturers], silicon vendors, and systems integrators full access to Windows CE source code. All licensees will be able to modify the code, and OEMs now can commercially distribute those modifications in Windows CE-based devices . . ." Announcement
- CNET: Windows CE plan draws criticism -- This article highlights reactions to Microsoft's announcement of the enhanced shared source program for Windows CE, noting that some analysts think the licensing terms imposed on OEMs diminish the significance of the change. The article quotes one analyst as saying that "manufacturers already had access to the source code and could modify it." Another is quoted as calling the program "patently unfair," as it only gives developers exclusivity to their contributed technology for six months. Story
- NY Times: Microsoft to Allow Partners to Alter Some Source Code -- In a comprehensive article at the NY Times, editor Steve Lohr observes that "the new licensing program . . . is a significant step in opening up Microsoft's intellectual property to outsiders in a way that would have been unthinkable a few years ago." Lohr examines analyst reactions and explores how the latest Windows CE licensing change is likely to impact OEMs and the embedded market. Story. (requires free registration)
- ZDNet: Microsoft deflects shared-source critics -- In this article at ZDNet, Microsoft's Craig Mundie denied that the company's new CEP program for Windows CE was a response to Linux making inroads in the embedded market. "Windows CE has a more complete and sophisticated development environment," said Mundie. "It exceeds what is there [in Linux]. People can do a lot of home-made work on Linux, but this is a commercial grade system with frankly commercial grade support." Story
- BetaNews: Microsoft Downplays CE Shared Source Fears -- This report provides key details about the implemetation of the new CEP program and reveals how Microsoft will handle proposed code modifications from partners. In fact, MS director Scott Horn told BetaNews "the likelihood of Microsoft adding such modifications into the main code base is quite slim." The article notes, too, that while program partners are only given six month exclusivity rights, they do retain ownership of intellectual property rights. Story
- The Register: Microsoft licenses WinCE source code for commercial use -- The Register calls the new licensing program a win-win for Microsoft: partners will improve Windows CE and enhance its features, all without Microsoft "having to do a stroke of work." The article also notes that although other embedded OS vendors have already embraced various forms of source code sharing (including Palm and QNX), Microsoft appears to be offering this latest program as a reaction to embedded Linux. Story
- Reuters: Microsoft to allow modification of device software -- This report from the Reuters news service notes that Microsoft is relaxing their Windows CE licensing largely in response to "fiercer competition with Linux," and mentions that Hitachi and Samsung Electronics are both currently developing devices using modified Windows CE code. Story
- Infoworld: Microsoft expands Windows CE shared source program -- This article quotes Microsoft director Scott Horn as saying the nature of the embedded market means "having access to things like the kernel and device drivers . . . critical," and that the new program will let vendors provide "informed and accurate suggestions about how [Microsoft] could improve the operating system." The article also mentions that latest shared source initiative does not include the Smartphone and Pocket PC variants of Windows CE, since doing so would require Microsoft to guarantee that "applications written for one Pocket PC or Smartphone device work on devices from other vendors." Story
- The Inquirer: Microsoft opens some Windows -- This brief item offers an interesting perspective (albeit, a paranoid one) on the likely consequences of opening Windows CE code up to developer tinkering. Performace could improve through "trimming down some of the hardware drivers and APIs, [but] if Wince is anything like its desktop sibling, removing certain parts of it could be deliberately designed to break the whole thing." Story
- CBS.MarketWatch.com: Microsoft to offer Windows CE code -- This article points out that many embedded devices are based on either custom software or modified versions of Linux, VxWorks, and other OSes that are available with modifiable source code, and that the increased openness of Windows CE source is likely to increase its use. Story
More information on Microsoft's Shared Source initiatives is available here.
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