Jeff,
Perhaps you should look at CE:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/getstart/choose/choose/default.aspx
"... Windows CE combines an advanced, real-time embedded operating system
with powerful tools for rapidly creating the next generation of smart,
connected and small-footprint devices. With a complete operating system
feature set and comprehensive development tools, Windows CE contains the
features developers need to build, debug and deploy customized devices.
The componentized features in Windows CE are optimized for next-generation
devices that require rich networking and communications standards, a hard
real-time kernel, rich multimedia and Web browsing capabilities and smaller
footprints. Windows CE is designed to deliver:
* Scalable wireless technologies to flexibly connect mobile devices.
* Reliable core operating system services for enabling demanding
real-time designs.
* Innovative technologies to enable rich, personalized experiences that
span devices, PCs, servers, and Web services.
* A rich, easy to use end-to-end toolset that increases developer
productivity.
Windows CE is also designed to help embedded developers to build scalable
platforms that flexibly integrate the next generation of embedded devices
with existing infrastructures. For example, devices built on Windows CE
enable users to remotely authenticate, authorize, administer, and update new
applications and operating system services."
Also check this link:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/usewinemb/ce/techno/realtme/default.aspx
Regards,
Sean Gahan