Microsoft CE for Automotive

Found this as an interesting article.

Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive 3.5 Advances In-Car Computing
New Software Platform Enables Safe, Customizable Telematics Products And Services for the Automotive Industry
REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT - news) today introduced the Windows® CE for Automotive 3.5 software platform, the most recent milestone in the burgeoning in-car computing industry. Microsoft® Windows CE for Automotive 3.5 delivers dramatic enhancements in key areas such as hands-free and eyes-free communications, with improved speech recognition; more robust graphics capabilities, including faster map drawing; faster startup times; and reliable Internet access. Each improvement provides real-time flexibility and is designed to advance in-car safety, communications and information.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011205/sfw070_1.html

And the "If Microsoft Made Cars" running joke now becomes reality. <shudder>

The scary part is if you download the SDK for it, they have a dummy head unit interface with the Window logo on it. The help files have an interesting read to them. They claim to have Com objects for text-to-speech, GPS, Multimedia Management for text-graphics-video, E-mail transport mechanism, and windows based design of software. So, in theory, you could wirte a program that finds your current position, takes a picture of it off a webcam in your car, and e-mail it wirelessly back to your house. That is if your stereo doesn't blue screen on you.

Greg