Microsoft Targets Web Services, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for Cars

At the second annual Microsoft European Automotive & Telematics Conference held this week in Munich, Microsoft outlined plans for Web services, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity in cars. The Windows Automotive software platform is already being used in the BMW 7 Series for controlling the GPS-enabled navigation system, electronic and entertainment systems, mobile phones and vehicle diagnostics. The Windows operating system will appear in new cars from Honda, Volvo, Fiat and Citroën. In Japan, Toyota is using Microsoft's Windows Automotive for its G-BOOK telematics system, which will be a standard feature even for cars priced at about US$10,000. Microsoft predicts three trends that will drive telematics to mass adoption. First, interoperability between consumer electronics system and Bluetooth connectivity will enable the car to automatically detect mobile phones and share information with PDAs and Pocket PCs. Tablet PCs could be used in the car as a "no compromise" navigation screen. Wi-Fi connected gas stations or a home garage might download music to the stereo. The second need for telematics that Microsoft sees is safety -- potentially, speech recognition applications could aid the driver without causing too much of a distraction. The third trend is cost reduction. Microsoft argues that a common OS for all the vehicle systems will eventually lower the cost of the whole car.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2003/apr03/04-30telematics.asp