Microsoft continues its policy to reveal as little information as possible about upcoming software releases. This change became apparent during the development of Windows 7, and has continued ever since. The lack of information however is a breeding ground for rumors and speculations, which may influence the perception of the public.
First hand sources about Windows 8 are very rare, and those that are available are often not directly related to the development of the operating system. The latest tidbit of information came for a recent job opening posted on the Microsoft Career website. Microsoft is looking for a software engineer for the Windows Embedded team:
The Windows Embedded for Vertical Industries team is looking for an experienced and strong SDET. Our team delivers Windows Embedded toolkit and Windows Embedded Ready solutions for several key device categories like Point of Service, Thin clients, Set top box/Connected TV, Digital signage, Multi-function printers, Industrial automation, etc…
Windows Embedded 7 is a spin-off of the Windows 7 operating system that is optimized for embedded systems.
Our current product, Windows Embedded 7, is the next version of the Windows Embedded tool kit that uses the same binaries and technology as the regular Windows 7 product, but with the potential for much smaller footprint and more robust OS. The idea is to remove any and all unnecessary features so that the device works in custom and usually down sized environments
The last paragraph of the job opening mentions the next iteration of Windows Embedded, called Windows 8 Embedded.
As an SDET on our team, you will be an expert in providing feedback on product design and user scenarios, ensuring testability of our product, developing test suites, and contributing to our automated testing infrastructure. Additional responsibilities include mentoring other SDETs in testing methodologies. A passion for Engineering Excellence will also be essential as it will be crucial to enabling our Product Unit to rapidly innovate in the Mobile space. This team offers an opportunity to development significant knowledge about many features in Windows, gain significant customer exposure through a combination of blogs, DLs, and customer events, develop an early view on future expansion to other areas including thin clients, POS, multi-function printers, and Win 8 Embedded and last but not the least, an opportunity to work with a product and organization that is very successful in the financial and business sense.
This means, Microsoft is not only working on Windows 8 Client and Windows 8 Server, but also Windows 8 Embedded, which is likely to be released some time after the two other products have been released, as was the case with Windows 7 Embedded.
