M
marko
Guest
Not ground breaking news but interesting none the less.
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Microsoft and Fiat turn ignition for in-car computing deal
[PC Pro] 12:49
Microsoft has jumped into the telematics driving seat with Fiat, in its biggest deal so far in this arena.
The deal marks the first time Microsoft has worked directly with a car maker, and Fiats using the Microsoft Windows Automotive platform will hit showrooms as early as next year.
Fiat's Lancia Thesis already uses the software, but the partnership will see a standardised version used in a number of Fiat lines, including all Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo models.
Todd Warren, Corporate Vice President, Devices, Services and eXperiences Group, said: 'With Fiat, we are developing systems ... to enable drivers and passengers to more safely communicate, get timely and relevant information as well as access digital music and other forms of entertainment at their convenience in the car.'
As well as in-car entertainment, the software can perform basic tasks such as monitoring the condition of the engine. The software will also connect to the Internet for location-based services that would, for example, tell you where the cheapest local petrol station was or the existence of a traffic snarl-up, and a GPS system would guide you around.
Likewise, updates and new features could also be downloaded from the Web.
And using wireless-enabled mobile devices in the car could be made safer using telematics: for example a Bluetooth phone could recognise it was in your car and switch to a profile that would allow hands-free voice-controlled operation.
Indeed, speech recognition will be a key element of automotive computing. The company's Voice Command product for Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs could be used to trigger music on the PDA to play through the car's stereo system for example.
The hardware running Microsoft's car software will be standard and supplied by Fiat's Magneti Marelli component division.
'Fiat Auto is at the forefront of telematics, having been among the first car makers to feature a wide range of devices in all its vehicles, such as the bCONNECT infomobility services,' said Walter Mortara, senior vice president of product and process engineering at Fiat Auto. 'We are very pleased to have Microsoft, a great innovator in the software industry and a leading expert in designing flexible platforms, as a partner in a unique business model based on re-creating, on board, the computer's world and structure.'
Matt Whipp
________________________________________________________________________
Microsoft and Fiat turn ignition for in-car computing deal
[PC Pro] 12:49
Microsoft has jumped into the telematics driving seat with Fiat, in its biggest deal so far in this arena.
The deal marks the first time Microsoft has worked directly with a car maker, and Fiats using the Microsoft Windows Automotive platform will hit showrooms as early as next year.
Fiat's Lancia Thesis already uses the software, but the partnership will see a standardised version used in a number of Fiat lines, including all Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo models.
Todd Warren, Corporate Vice President, Devices, Services and eXperiences Group, said: 'With Fiat, we are developing systems ... to enable drivers and passengers to more safely communicate, get timely and relevant information as well as access digital music and other forms of entertainment at their convenience in the car.'
As well as in-car entertainment, the software can perform basic tasks such as monitoring the condition of the engine. The software will also connect to the Internet for location-based services that would, for example, tell you where the cheapest local petrol station was or the existence of a traffic snarl-up, and a GPS system would guide you around.
Likewise, updates and new features could also be downloaded from the Web.
And using wireless-enabled mobile devices in the car could be made safer using telematics: for example a Bluetooth phone could recognise it was in your car and switch to a profile that would allow hands-free voice-controlled operation.
Indeed, speech recognition will be a key element of automotive computing. The company's Voice Command product for Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs could be used to trigger music on the PDA to play through the car's stereo system for example.
The hardware running Microsoft's car software will be standard and supplied by Fiat's Magneti Marelli component division.
'Fiat Auto is at the forefront of telematics, having been among the first car makers to feature a wide range of devices in all its vehicles, such as the bCONNECT infomobility services,' said Walter Mortara, senior vice president of product and process engineering at Fiat Auto. 'We are very pleased to have Microsoft, a great innovator in the software industry and a leading expert in designing flexible platforms, as a partner in a unique business model based on re-creating, on board, the computer's world and structure.'
Matt Whipp
