A new partnership between Microsoft and Italian car
manufacturer Fiat will develop hands-free technology that will
provide telephone, internet, music and other services inside
cars.
The technology, to be available next year, will be based on
standard hardware and operate with Microsoft's Windows Automotive
software.
Short-range Bluetooth technology will play a key role; it will
allow digital devices such as smart phones and PDAs to connect
wire-free to an onboard computer system, which will also provide
internet service.
New voice recognition technology will enable drivers to talk to
the computer which will in turn dial a number, surf the web or play
a different song.
For those who want to hear their own selection of tunes, a USB
connection in the dashboard will let them play digital music stored
in portable players.
"Communication and entertainment services for cars make sense
because people are spending a lot more time on the road," said
Michael Ransom, senior analyst for wireless services at Current
Analysis. "These services extend popular home or desktop
applications to the car."
Microsoft and Fiat plan to make their system interoperable with
vehicles' software-driven controller area network for diagnostic
purposes.
Although Microsoft is collaborating with several other big car
markers such as BMW, DaimlerChrysler and Volvo, the deal with Fiat
is the first time the software company has collaborated directly
with a manufacturer in the development of a complete in-car
computing system.
John Blau writes for IDG News Service