“Chips and operating systems from other companies will likely
enjoy a greater degree of prominence in shaping the market for
set-top boxes, Net-ready handhelds and other non-PC devices, said
Simon Lin, CEO of Acer Information Products Group, the computer arm
of the Taiwanese conglomerate.”
“Why Microsoft is worried about Sony’s growth is because the
PlayStation can be used as an Internet device,” Lin said. Like the
PlayStation, some new devices also do not depend on Microsoft or
Intel technology. A survey of appliances at Computex, a recent
trade show in Taipei, confirmed this view. A number of
manufacturers plan to adopt the open-source Linux operating system
over Windows 98 or versions of Windows CE for upcoming set-top
boxes and appliances. And, while some are using Intel processors, a
number of companies have built designs around Transmeta or National
Semiconductor processors.”
“While cost is a factor in some of these design decisions, it is
not the only factor. Boot-up time can be greatly reduced by using
Linux instead of Windows 98, said many sources. The interface can
also be customized. Linux is still far from establishing itself as
a mainstay, Lin said, but the open-source operating system is
helped to a certain degree by timing. Linux is gaining momentum
among developers at a time when the device market is taking
off.”