That's the definition I've generally heard used in some form or another. But if that's the definition then whether the code is run from permanent memory or volatile memory really isn't a factor in determining whether something is embedded.

It's not at all impossible to conceive a cell phone that runs out of RAM and loads programs off of some kind of flashcard system. I know many cell phones now permit users to download applications; how this is handled in terms of hardware I've never made an effort to investigate. Perhaps it is stored in flash memory and executed directly from that location (which would fit your other definition of embedded) or perhaps it is stored in flash memory that mimics a file system and the phone loads it into RAM when it wants to execute it (in which case it wouldn't fit your other definition). But in either case I think we'd agree it's an embedded system.

In the case of my cell phone, I'd actually almost bet it's the latter given the "Loading" message I get and the couple seconds I have to wait when I select certain applications/functions. The Palm, on the other hand, runs applications directly from where they are permanently stored in non-volatile memory--and even so I would take the position that Palm isn't an embedded device.

Regards,
Craig Steiner