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Fiat Puts Windows Mobile in New Cars

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

February 3, 2006, 3:33 PM

Italian automaker Fiat has joined forces with Microsoft to unveil a voice-activated in-car communications system called Blue&Me at the Geneva Motorshow this month. Blue&Me is based on Windows Mobile for Automotive and offers a wide range of functionality, along with connectivity to wireless devices.

For example, drivers can activate their mobile phones and make calls using the car's built-in Bluetooth support. A USB port in the glove box allows drivers to connect their own MP3 files for listening on the road. The Windows platform promises support for any number of devices, rather thank locking users into specific hardware. Fiat's Alfa Romeo will be the first line to offer the Blue&Me system.

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By FrequentFlyer

posted Feb 7, 2006 - 1:06 PM

The system mentioned is most likely not a final release as it will be seen at the car show.
I give Microsoft credit for this attempt. Standard car media systems can/need to improve alot faster than they currently are doing. Especially voice-control is important in Europe. Using your mobile phone in the car is illegal in most EU states. Moreove, driving at 120mph it becomes difficult using current Media-systems that dont have touch screens nor voice control (I am speaking from experience with Audis and BMWs latest systems).
This system could be a great step forward (although sadly with the wrong company (Fiat))

Score: 0

By citizen420

posted Feb 5, 2006 - 4:06 PM

"system called Blue&Me"

just a reason im not buying a new fiat, i dont want Blue(screen)&Me in a car going 100mph on the road.

Score: 0

By nn123654

edited Feb 6, 2006 - 12:17 AM

Exactly.
While I think the stabality is a strech, I definatly agree with you about this system. Your supposed to be DRIVING. Instead of "Family of 4 dies while driver tries to reboot." it's more like "Family of 4 dies while driver tries to plug his mp3 player into a USB port." (Which, while USB does offer great compatability, I personally always get the thing wrong when I put it in. Firewire (IEEE-1394) is so much better in that respect because, while both the upstream and downstream ends are identical, you can always know that you're going to put it in correctly the first time.) I don't see how, even if the system is voice controled, how you could safely operate the car at highway speeds.

Score: 0

By school1012

posted Feb 6, 2006 - 12:40 PM

This is alot better then putting on makeup, smoking talking on the phone(not hands free) drivin dunk. This is just talking about entertainment not controling the car. Besides XP has only crashed on me when I install bad programs, and has not crashed as much as oyu would think.

Score: 0

By wightboi

posted Feb 5, 2006 - 10:10 AM

anything with windows will freeze and crash... do we really want that in a car? LOL
"Car freezes on freeway, family of 4 dies while driver was trying to reboot"

Score: 0

By frankwick

posted Feb 6, 2006 - 11:16 AM

I know a lot of readers here are VERY young and don't have a concept of computing outside of your bedroom, but there is a business world out there. Furthermore, there is already such a thing as "windows embedded" and it is in lots of devices already.

BTW, I was watching a documentary on the US military last night. Some of the stuff the crew was allowed to show such as navigation was controlled by XP. I didn't see the ship having to stop in the water and reboot.

Score: 0

By santoms

posted Feb 5, 2006 - 2:45 AM

Windown is finding new areas where they can catch hold of people So that their monoploy can be assured.
Santoms
www.geocities.com/santoms_k

Score: 0

By citizen420

posted Feb 5, 2006 - 5:17 PM

no offence dude, but take a class in webdesign if thats the best you can do, or just use 1 of many premade templates on services like angelfire.com

Score: 0

By kevrocker86

posted Feb 5, 2006 - 1:33 PM

Hey, nice website buddy......

Score: 0

By NateBBG

posted Feb 5, 2006 - 1:51 PM

i hope you're being sarcastic.

Score: 0

By petgamer

posted Feb 3, 2006 - 11:55 PM

If Microsoft can get their act together on this one, it might not be a half bad idea.. Maybe not, only time will tell.

Score: 0

By XiND

posted Feb 3, 2006 - 10:36 PM

/You gonna crash./

Score: 0

By aerthling

posted Feb 3, 2006 - 8:24 PM

I haven't RTFA, but I can say this straight away: What a stupid idea. Why would anyone want mobile windows in their cars? Electric ones are bad enough, without having to chase them around just to get some fresh air. Or are they controlled via remote?

I say it's a bad idea. This is going to see fatal car accidents rise tremendously.

:p

Seriously, it sounds good. By the time I can afford a new car this (or similar) might be standard. :)

Score: 0

By _jaz_

edited Feb 4, 2006 - 4:19 AM

You should actually read it then. It's all about multimedia, not about driving.
It simply uses the windows mobile platform for that, instead of linux or whatever else. bluetooth, mp3/etc player, USB devices support, etc..

Ford has a similar product already out for nearly one year, called v2c. (not based in windows mobile, afaik..)

Score: 0

By school1012

posted Feb 3, 2006 - 4:19 PM

Nice, now we need to see what the car looks like too.

Score: 0

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