[rasmits]

There's been a lot of talk about Apple licensing the Mac OS over the years - probably as long as the Mac has been around. By now we all know the arguments against and for licensing OS X for beige PCs.

But recently we've seen OS X 'embedded' in various devices like Apple TV and iPhone and it's proven to be a very portable and powerful operating system for these specialized tasks.

Does anyone else see a great opportunity for Apple to either license OS X or adapt it specifically for some of the millions of embedded devices out there? Windows, for example, powers cash registers, ATM machines, ticket kiosks, and now even restaurant tables. Apple would probably never sell hardware to compete in these markets, so why not contribute with software?

It probably wouldn't be a huge cash cow, but there are millions of computers out there besides desktops that need software. I could definitely see an "OS X powered" billboard machine in an airport running keynote to announce departing flights or a multi-touch ATM machine.

[Engine Joe]

Don't the registers and handheld readers/scanners at Apple Stores run on OS X? I thought I read that back when the stores were first opening up a few years back. If so, that means that they've already done the groundwork for such applications. So why not?

[HappyJack]

I don't remember where I read it, but I've heard that the hand held scanners run Windows CE.

[Majost]

Originally Posted by Engine Joe Don't the registers and handheld readers/scanners at Apple Stores run on OS X? I thought I read that back when the stores were first opening up a few years back. If so, that means that they've already done the groundwork for such applications. So why not?

They are, in fact, full-fledged iMacs. I don't know about the wireless self-contained handheld credit-card swiping checkout machines, though.

[Anthem]

Yeah, OSX is now on the big three consumer architectures: PPC, Intel, and ARM. Ought to be a way to leverage that.

[cosus]

Ever go to the restaurant u-wink? It's a restaurant with a real-time ordering system and games all run off computers running mac os x.

[chris e boy]

Originally Posted by rasmits and now even restaurant tables.

You mean the Big Ass Table?

sorry, couldn't resist, such a great video.

[herodian]

with other systems available, and more customisable, which are similar to OS X (Unix, Linux), I couldn't see Apple rushing out and doing this any time soon.

but to 'quote' a post in a nother thread

"anything could happen"

[aranhamo]

Originally Posted by herodian with other systems available, and more customisable, which are similar to OS X (Unix, Linux), I couldn't see Apple rushing out and doing this any time soon. but to 'quote' a post in a nother thread "anything could happen"

But even with Unix and Linux available for such devices, most people still run Windows. I've worked in a few restaurants and retail stores, and our ordering systems, etc. all ran customized versions of Windows. I don't think Apple is going to go into this market, but I also don't see Unix or Linux as major competitors. Windows appears to have just as big a market share there as on desktops.

[Kraetos]

Originally Posted by HappyJack I don't remember where I read it, but I've heard that the hand held scanners run Windows CE.

Yep. The little handhelds do indeed run Windows CE Mobile. Once I was checking out, and it crashed. The clerk: "damn Windows."