Windows XP Embedded soon to be USB bootable

There doesn't seem to be any shortage of products based on Windows XP Embedded, with everything from laptops to LCDs to an array of devices outside our scope of coverage running on the thing. But it looks like we could soon be seeing even more of the embedded OS if the latest service pack update is any indication. Among other things, the excessively-named Windows XP Embedded SP2 Feature Pack 2007 (set to be released next month) adds USB 2.0 boot functionality, which means that a full-fledged version of the OS can be booted from any old USB Flash drive, opening up a range of new possibilities including, as jkOnTheRun speculates, quick-boot environments for games and other applications. Possible, yes, but with runtime licenses that costs $90 per unit, it may not be the most feasible solution for casual purposes.

[Via jkOnTheRun]