
I really hope the software I wrote for WinCE 15 years ago isn't still in use.
Enterprises eyeing their crusty old Windows CE apps with alarm as Microsoft yanks the plug on its legacy operating systems will be relieved to see the company making good on its promised CE container technology. Lurking within Windows 10 IoT Core Services, the tech (announced during Microsoft's Build 2020 event) allows those …
@iron
Could be - some of those old PDAs have a long life & get scenario of, if software does the job, then people will keep using it, especially if it means avoiding expense of upgrade / new software purchase
Plus you can still buy Win mobile 6.5 kit (e.g. Workabout Pro) that supports CE apps hassle free, so if PDA dies, replacements still available.
I reckon some niche apps, especially will be used for a while yet
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The PDA might be broke but the software may be alive.
I always hated Windows CE it was and is... frustrating.
It doesn't help that Windows attempts at mobile OS and programs used to be infamously bad with only upgrading to poor to the time of Windows 8 and only going to acceptable by the time Microsoft started to pull the plug on Windows 10 Mobile.
I wonder if I still have those old computer mags ranting about Windows CE?
It’ll be needed. Whilst furloughed I went to work for a top 4 UK supermarket.
Their warehouse pick system still runs on Windows CE and prehistorically old (pre-Zebra) Symbol and Motorola scanning pocket PC’s devices connected to some host in the DC server room running the show. Interface was character terminal emulation on Window’s PC.
On looking the current LFL model is a Zebra WT41N0, with finger scanner. at about £1,600 a pop plus a further £600 for the ring scanner ROFLMAO... prices ex-VAT.
All models were battered, scratched and very abused pre-Zebra era takeover. Crappy serial interfaced finger scanners, shite batteries.
Why the Pick app has not been ported to IOS/Android is beyond me.
We never got traction with the wearable version, I think we had WT4000.
Several people refused the ring scanner all together and in the end we had 10 unused sitting in a box after a few uses, complete waste of money. The keyboard having to press a special key for different characters made it hard for operators to login. Absolute pain as obviously the screen was a different size which meant rewriting lots of screens.
They prefered the gun style as they would put craddles for them on forklifts and desks
This was driving Jungheineich LLOP and filling grocery cages for stores. Sometime 4 full cages for larger stores or could be up to 5different half cages for Express stores..
Impractical/impossible with a hand held. This supermarket Pick app was voice driven... “ go to aisle DY, location 311, pick 3 or multi cage” .. could be cases of beer/gin/wine, a fan, BBQ Beickettes, shampoo, Mary Berry sauces, baby food, pasta/rice etc...
Scan, stack the cage, move on... with a punishing pick rate. Could be up to 700 cases (of varyng sizes - 12x1L brandy or 5xpacket of paracetamol) on a full 4-5 cage pick. Grateful to be off furlough.. it made up my wage shortfall and a bit more to boot.
- yes the KB a pain for Empty location shorts and admin activities.