Hardware Platform Changes

Of course also related to software development, is hardware development.

New platforms that have been developed (and will be developed in the future)

• Mobile phones
  • Now using Java as a programming environment;
  • J2ME standard ( [1] );
  • or converging with PDAs? Microsoft's preference (Windows CE).
• PDAs
• Gaming consoles
  • XBoX can be used to run Linux;
  • Games must be developed for both consoles and PCs.
• 'Media centers'
  • Computers which can be operated by a remote;
  • Windows XP Media Center Edition ( [2] );
  • XBoX Media Center was Microsoft's first approach.
• Other embedded devices (small custom chips)

In general, there is a trend towards smaller devices, and converging functionality - while at the same time some functionality is 'split off' (e.g. MP3 players). This will require more standardization, and more transparent development methods in the future.