At Computex, Microsoft announced Windows Embedded Compact 7, the latest version of their Windows CE operating system. While Windows CE was generally used for less consumer friendly things in the past (ATMs, cars, automation systems, etcetera) it looks like Microsoft is trying to grab a little piece of the mobile operating system market which is currently being dominated by Android.

Windows Embedded Compact 7 (that’s a mouthful, let’s just call it WEC7) is not an out-of-the-box OS like Android. Instead, it’s more of a foundation for an OS that allows companies to create custom branded software experiences on a given device. Joanna Stern of Engadget has a video demonstrating what sort of interfaces that an OEM could build:

It’ll be interesting to see if any companies decide to create their own OS experience using WEC7 rather than just going with Android.

• Why Windows 8 and Consumer Tablets Won’t Team-Up at CES
• Nokia and Microsoft shake hands on Mobile Productivity.
• Moblin handed over to Linux Foundation.