MS can try Visual Basic Webapp on the Cloud using HTML5. Even remotely hosted DotNet is better, with the VB Apps as Web Applications using DotNet WebService. Then nothing to download, neither the update or the security fixes. Just provide something like jQuery for DotNet. Web VB would be a better thing for developers.
Arduino is a QuickStart Embedded system, very useful in learning both the hardware and software elements of a system.
From what i understand, the developed app can be burned into the device fully, no additional layer of OS or Firmware needed, It is all built in. In short the compiled binary can be either a stand-alone firmware(OS) or be a layer running over a Mobile OS.
Now putting Ardunio and VB together, we get an Hardware/Software Environment that is easy on students and hobbyists too.
Fermata written by Andrew Craigie
Firmata is a generic protocol for communicating with microcontrollers from software on a host computer. It is intended to work with any host computer software package. See more examples ….
Arduino - Simple temperature monitor also see Visual C++ and Arduino
"Then for those that liked Java, He gave the Processing …
thenceforward, the Inspired People made many Large Sketches and the Globe Glowed like Warm White LED Lamp"
See this Steven's Temperature Display and this Serial Comm using Processing.