Microsoft Reaffirms Telematics Interests

Microsoft reaffirmed its interest in taking its software to motor vehicles Monday with the launch of the fifth version of its platform for automotive suppliers and manufacturers, which would make communication hands-free in the car.

Based on Windows CE .NET 4.2, Windows Automotive 4.2 will pipe real-time weather alerts, driving directions and other information over in-car computing devices. This package features native support for support voice- and data-enabled Bluetooth and the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework.

The software will make communication hand-free for drivers and passengers, a potentially lucrative feature in a time when fear of device-induced traffic accidents is causing legislators to look carefully at banning the use of cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) for drivers while their on the road. New York already has a law against in-transit cell phone use.

Windows Automotive 4.2 supports Bluetooth version 1.1 and IEEE 802.11 and 802.1x. The platform also gets its multimedia punch and Web browsing with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 for Windows CE.

Reprinted from ThinkMobile.