The now available Fiat 500 is being advertised as a sort of Italian (but made in Poland) MINI Cooper, with a cute design and a nimble next-gen Ford Ka platform. One item that the little Fiat will have that the MINI doesn't is the Blue&Me system that Fiat co-developed with Microsoft. Blue&Me packs most of the technology that's on Ford and Microsoft's SYNC, but with hands-free navigation added to the tech party. Like with SYNC, Blue&Me uses the radio as its main interface to connect iPods and phones instead of a navigation system, which should help keep costs down. We were impressed with SYNC at a recent Ford event, and Blue&Me seems to take the concept of integrating the driver's digital assets to the car to the next level. It appears that the Europeans have gotten the better version of auto technology yet again.
[Source: Engadget]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ricardohead @ Jul 12th 2007 9:23AM
Maybe the europeans have "gotten a better version of auto technology yet again" but they still haven't figured out how to implement it in any way, shape, or form that is reliable beyond 100k km on the odometer.
srivendel @ Jul 12th 2007 10:02AM
Please stop adding distractions to cars. People don't need any more excuses to take their eyes off the road. I used to use my car's iPod jack, but soon realized that it was a huge distraction. Back to CDs and Sirius for me. Increasing technology content in cars ensures that these people will be less focused on their driving and more focused on BS. That's bad news for the rest of us.
Camaro02 @ Jul 12th 2007 10:14AM
I don't believe that at all. I have a CB radio, police scanner, radar detector, Ipod stereo interface, and laptop integrated into my after market touchscreen monitor in my dash, and I have only had 5 moving violations in the last year. I always draw the line at talking on my cell phone and driving at the same time, that stuff will kill you.
rv @ Jul 12th 2007 12:00PM
Last time I checked - Sirius has a screen too. Unless you removed it when deciding you weren't capable of driving and operating an iPod. Some suggestions to your questionable post; operate iPod/Sirius/Phone/iDildo at stops only. You're welcome... Also - before walking; spit out gum. All advice is free of charge.
Isn't Windows ME the garbage Windows that came out before XP? Wonder what color the Screen Of Death will be...
srivendel @ Jul 12th 2007 12:09PM
Really? You think distracted driving isn't an issue? You think people only scroll around their iPods when the car is stopped? Sirius functions like regular radio -- you punch a preset and forget about it. The iPod requires you to scroll through many menus and submenus to find what you want. It is not designed to be operated by a driver in a moving vehicle.
If people were saints and pulled over to change artists or playlists then clearly there wouldn't be a problem. But they don't. Instead, they get bored/distracted, and swerve all over the road while trying to read that tiny 3" screen.
I don't think the law should prevent iPod use in cars, but I do think laws against distracted driving should be more heavily enforced. iPod, laptop, kids in the backseat, Sirius, CDs, BlackBerry, whatever. The problem is people taking their eyes off the road instead of focusing on the primary task at hand. And it's a problem that is getting worse.
Barney @ Jul 14th 2007 2:08AM
Re Camaro02 "and I have only had 5 moving violations in the last year.
I have driven for over forty years, presently ONLY 200 Kms a day and at least a million miles so far. I had two infractions so far. Get rid of the garbage in your car and get some driving lessons from a professional. Five infractions in one year is the sign of a dangerous driver.
Quattrofan @ Jul 12th 2007 10:19AM
Poster No.1 - if you get any dumber you'll need to wear a helmet.
Rocket Punch @ Jul 12th 2007 10:51AM
I think "Blue&Me" is short for "Blue-screen-of-death & Me". Yeah, let them have it all.
Oluseyi @ Jul 12th 2007 6:31PM
Ever heard of playlists?
Just because some people are too dumb to use a device safely doesn't mean it shouldn't be manufactured. Otherwise, by your logic, some people shouldn't be permitted to drive their children, since we know little kids can be a much bigger distraction than ipods and cell phones combined.
greg @ Jul 12th 2007 12:30PM
what happens if windows crashes? does the whole car stop
Mallory @ Jul 12th 2007 1:00PM
Driving with your Zune cranking away at a 200 song playlist is much safer than juggling CD's at 70mph. I turn mine on and never have to touch it again while I'm driving.
But back to the point, why can't we get this stuff here? I wish I could plug in a 40GB external USB drive (that I paid $16 for) and carry my entire music library with me.
Infinihertz @ Jul 12th 2007 2:23PM
You can do that with SYNC, as far as I know. Part of the reason there are 2 USB ports. They also said a flash stick with files would work (MP3, M4A, WMA, etc.). It just can't play anything with DRM unless you're using the actual device (iPod, etc.).
Mallory @ Jul 12th 2007 3:48PM
That's cool, I don't buy any music that has been DRM'ed anyway.
Barney @ Jul 14th 2007 2:15AM
That's a good point. It isn't great technology to install a USB port and cheap enough to buy a few sticks for commercial free entertainment.
ItGuy @ Jul 12th 2007 1:18PM
Who needs more crummy stuff from Microsoft? I know I won't be buying any car with MS tech in it. Don't use their garbage on my Desktop nor in something like my car.
I find it interesting that all demos were with Zunes and Win Mobile devices when the iPod and Blackberry are the leaders in their industries.
P to the C @ Jul 12th 2007 1:32PM
I hope Microsoft and other auto manufacturers bring this to more and more models. Anything that will let consumers avoid the closed, proprietary iPod realm is a good thing for anyone who likes music and in-car entertainment
Colin Smith @ Jul 12th 2007 2:08PM
For me the ability to have hands-free phone at the press of a wheel-switch, and the sound coming from the speakers so that I can hear it, is the seller. The music is a bonus. It does sat-nav too. And it does work.
rv @ Jul 12th 2007 6:45PM
Yeah - the iPod is really proprietary, that's why you can find "proprietary" accessories from every manufacturer out there for the iPod. And when I think Micro$haft, I definitely think open source and non-proprietary. Maybe they'll charge for things others do for free, like their XBox Live program. But yeah, leave it to the makers of a brown iPod rip-off and the Blue-Screen-of-Death to save us from the nasty iPod...
SJ @ Jul 12th 2007 4:32PM
Please don't honk at me, I am almost done rebooting my car.
Alessandro Merolla @ Jul 12th 2007 4:33PM
Price is good, but the name of financing is not so clear...
http://dallapartedichiguida.blogosfere.it/2007/07/nuova-fiat-500-le-rate-del-finanziamento-convengono-pero.html