I've done a little more research on Windows Embedded 6.0. As a software developer it has a special interest for me. It seems the above links lead to the trial version of the SDK which runs on Visual Studio 2005 (only). This SDK allows developers (and device manufacturers) to compile an image for WinCE 6.0. There is quite a bit more to it, as far as packaging drivers and all kinds of settings. It also has an emulator so image testing can be done from Visual Studio. You can compile to many different device types (ARM, MIPS, INTEL and others). Device manufacturers can then sell the image legally (provided they own the SDK) for their device and usually add the price or more (like anywhere from $3 to $10 more) for each license (1 per device).
So they compile an image with the features they want, plus any drivers needed for their device, and any settings needed for the OS during boot in a registry file. I would love to mess around with the trial SDK, but I've already upgraded my Visual Studio to the 2008 version for some other projects I'm working on.
One thing I notice about the Linux OS (even 4.0) on the SmartQ 7, is that it is slow - especially reaction time like clicking to launch applications. For many reasons, especially for ease of use, I think it would be very wise to include WinCE with this device. I know a lot of us like working with these OS and customizing things, but for the device to truly adapt to a market of newbies like an iPhone would, it needs to be as easy to use a possible. The guys on the Mer project have that idea down and it will be a much better OS for this device when it is complete. On the other hand, I don't think Mobipocket or MS Reader will work on Mer and therefor many DRM'ed ebooks will be closed off to folks who need to be able to use them.
So now you know why some of us want WinCE on the device so badly. Nate covers WinCE and ebook reading software very well over in this thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32551
Regards,
Cold