Windows Everywhere

As a followup to my Microsoft rant of a few days ago, I notice that The Inquirer has run a series of photos of Windows-based embedded systems failing in the wild.

• A petrol pump suffering the Blue Screen of Death
• A Windows error on a departures board (probably with negligible effect on the accuracy of the data displayed)
• An information terminal at Prague airport goes BSOD

But the real folly of the “Windows Everywhere” strategy is exemplified by the problems suffered by BMW with their Windows CE-based iDrive system. When the iDrive crashes, it seems that so might the car.

Alternatively, just ask the Thai Finance Minister. He was trapped inside his BMW in May when the Windows-based computer system misbehaved.

Poor old BMW, hitching their reliable wagon to Microsoft’s lame old donkey. Unfortunately, several other manufacturers appear to be doing the same.

I’m not confident about it, except for one thing: the hubris of “Windows Everywhere” is going to cause more trouble yet.