Thanks to sister site Engadget, we've learned about a new collaboration between Ford and Microsoft that will put a personal computer in your car. Expected to debut as early as next year on some Ford vehicles and be shown both at CES and NAIAS in January, the system is known as Blue&Me, although the name could change when it reaches our shores. Similar to the project with FIAT, it will support cross-platform Bluetooth smartphones and hopefully some of other neat features found on the FIAT system. As Engadget tells us, the Windows Automotive technology allows drivers to access their phones through the car's stereo, to use voice commands and steering wheel-mounted controls to control the audio, and to read text messages via the car's computer. A USB port in the glove compartment will also allow audio expansion using any compatible device. Down the road (ha ha) the system will include GPS control and weather and traffic-monitoring systems as well.
[Source: Engadget]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
George @ Dec 20th 2006 4:04PM
Can you say, Systems Crash....
Julius @ Dec 20th 2006 4:28PM
Good job Ford, another "Bold Move."
M3 @ Dec 20th 2006 4:30PM
"Down the road (ha ha) the system will include GPS control and weather and traffic-monitoring systems as well."
This is the future! An Acura Nav has more options availble today and you will not need to worry about running into the blue screen of death. Good job Ford, add to your quality problems.
The other Bob @ Dec 20th 2006 4:32PM
Just what I want to do. Reboot my car every 10 minutes.
Phelix @ Dec 20th 2006 4:41PM
You may even be able to drive in the car, too!
epilonious @ Dec 20th 2006 4:53PM
Yes, but how will a Ford Vehicle choose to respond to "Dear aunt, let's set so double the killer delete select all"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLa3Wac4O2A
Ben @ Dec 20th 2006 6:00PM
"Plus, the new 'Mail Time' function allows you to check your mail with Blue and Steve!!!"
jon @ Dec 20th 2006 8:32PM
Will it have a big red eye like HAL did? "I can see how you are driving jon"...
Dustin @ Dec 20th 2006 11:12PM
Ok, where are all the ford bashers, I'm waiting to hear rants on how the japs managed to do this first
sfast @ Dec 20th 2006 11:47PM
Are you sure that you would like to turn your left turn signal off?
bepsf @ Dec 21st 2006 12:02AM
Um - If this is an article about Ford...
...why the Alfa Romeo 159 interior shot???
...and like people need even MORE distractions from talking on the phone/changing between 2000+ satellite radio stations/reading digitized maps/using a mouse to control the Air Conditioning via 5 separate menu screens/watching DVD movies/drinking coffee - I mean, Um, Driving the car...
iQuack @ Dec 21st 2006 12:45AM
Would be nice if people went back to driving their cars and not treating them as moving restaurants, beauty parlors, offices, and phone booths.
Nobody needs a "blue screen of death" to agitate them while driving.
Ajay @ Dec 21st 2006 1:47AM
"This is the future! An Acura Nav has more options availble today and you will not need to worry about running into the blue screen of death. Good job Ford, add to your quality problems."
Are you aware that the Acura Nav system runs Windows CE? :) (really, it does!)
jmhm2003 @ Dec 21st 2006 2:02AM
2 behemoth's both heading in the wrong direction. A hookup totallly makes sense.
GhostDoggy @ Dec 21st 2006 5:27AM
So, Ford becomes another per-license beta tester. Smartest move Ford could make according to Microsoft. But, who knows and maybe we'll see every Ford 500 come loaded with an Xbox 360.
G. Snyder @ Dec 21st 2006 9:50AM
In never ceases to amaze me how morons manage to operate computers.
Microsoft currently makes a lot of automotive systems. The car you are driving now may have some of the systems software. In addition, someone above already mentioned that a lot of Nav systems use CE as the core operating system (both factory and after-market).
You all are very clever though....
A. Kerr @ Dec 21st 2006 1:43PM
This is an example of Ford finally doing the right things. This is cutting edge stuff, that will be standard in a few years, and Ford is leading the way forward. Ford - keep it up!