Conference cancellation
In a somewhat surprising move, Microsoft has cancelled the Windows CE Developers Conference and instead merged it with Microsoft's Windows Hardware Engineering Conference , aka WinHEC (at http://www.microsoft.com/winhec) and Microsoft Tech-Ed (at http://msdn.microsoft.com/events/teched/defaultl.asp). If you look at what happened at WinHEC, there were only a few general sessions on Windows CE and nothing specific to Windows CE for Automotive. Tech-Ed, meanwhile, has several Windows CE sessions but nothing yet that is WCEfA specific.

I certainly hope this changes, as there is a significant demand for WCEfA sessions from both the small development houses in the industry and the major players alike. The folks I've spoken to about the disappearance of the Windows CE Developers Conference are upset about it, so Microsoft needs to make good on supplying a replacement that is of as good, if not better, quality.

I've been speaking with a few key Auto PC industry players about sponsoring a Windows CE for Automotive Developers Conference apart from WinHEC and Tech-Ed, and the response has been positive. If you would like to see this happen, send me an email at markmo@autopcware.com.

Huge demand for WCEfA programmers
For the past year, my company, AutoPCWare, has had dozens of requests for contract programming services from companies wanting to use Auto PCs or to adapt WCEfA to their platforms. AutoPCWare and other WCEfA programming houses have received so many requests, in fact, that there is no way the current companies involved in the area of WCEfA software development can possibly keep up with the demand. With bill rates for this type of work ranging from $120 to $200 per hour, it is a very lucrative business for the enterprising developer.

Also, consider that Delphi alone has received orders for $2.4 billion worth of their WCEfA based Communiport Auto PC product over the next four years. That's just one of the six major players I've mentioned above (seven if you include Freightliner). If you are selling applications or services for that platform, there is serious potential for real money to be made.

There is still plenty of time to get in on the ground floor of the WCEfA programming industry. If you are a Windows CE programmer or programming house and are looking to expand, you should seriously consider moving into this area. I am starting a reference section on my company's Web site listing other companies that do Auto PC/WCEfA contract programming, so send me your info if you would like to be included in the referral section. Again, email markmo@autopcware.com.

Future article requests
If you have a topic that you'd like me to address in my column, please send me email and let me know what you'd like. I'm looking for some ideas. If you have an Auto PC/WCEfA-related product that you would like reviewed, please contact me regarding that as well.

Mark Moeller is a 14 year veteran of Microsoft. After shipping the first version of the Auto PC he left Microsoft to found AutoPCWare, a company focused on helping manufacturers and software vendors build Auto PCs or products for the Auto PC. Mark was the design architect of the first version of the Auto PC and has a number of patents pending or awarded on the Auto PC. You can visit his Web site at http://www.autopcware.com, or email him at markmo@autopcware.com. To read more of Mark Moeller's work for Windows CE Power, visit http://www.zatz.com/authors/authorpages/markmoeller.html.