Siemens and Microsoft have announced a joint partnership to develop the next generation of in-car entertainment and sat-nav products, which, much like the Ford/Microsoft Sync system, will allow users to connect everything from mobile phones to media players. Recognizing that standalone audio systems are quickly becoming a thing of the past, the new system seeks to integrate every facet of the "digital lifestyle" into one all-encompassing unit. The fruits of their labors should be in production by 2009, assuming all goes well over in Redmond.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Scott Hunter @ Sep 7th 2007 6:22PM
Cue the "I don't want to have a Blue Screen Of Death while driving my car" comments. They're hilarious every time. No really. Hilarious.
e @ Sep 7th 2007 6:37PM
hasn't siemens vdo (automotive unit of siemens) been sold to continental? does this mean continental and microsoft in agreement?
vectorbug @ Sep 7th 2007 7:40PM
Driving is enough entertainment for this car and driving enthusiast.
Don @ Sep 7th 2007 11:44PM
Oh, this should be good.
Siemens, maker of the worst mobile phones ever, and Microsoft, who dared to bring you the "Blue screen of death".
Whoo!
Galley @ Sep 8th 2007 10:13AM
All you need is a 160GB Apple TV. It will auto sync when you pull in the driveway. Only $399 plus monitor(s).
Me!!! @ Sep 8th 2007 10:46AM
i dont want a car that will crash itself.
Rick Lyon @ Sep 8th 2007 8:56PM
Not to be out done by Apple, Microsoft leaps in the automotive arena.....Does your car randomly crash? I hope you can just disconnect the battery for a hard reboot rather then visiting the dealership weekly for restarts. Does it send the crash report back to Microsoft as well?
greg @ Sep 8th 2007 10:11PM
The microsoft system interface is reliable. Hint ever look at the initial screen on your iDrive, BMW owners? (not the horrid 2003 7 series one) But the one the current one where everything can be accessed/utilized via voice. (current 3,5,6, x5). The only thing that seems to go down has been the occasional TCU. And the software is hackable via a company somewhere in Britain i believe. Apple will pair with Mercedes to design their new, next gen command interface. Wonder if it will have cover flow and come with a 200$ instant rebate?
RockStoneSteel @ Sep 9th 2007 3:03PM
I don't believe for a second that Microsoft is even remotely capable of providing a robust piece of software or simple interface. I have every confidence that Microsoft will generate something that takes long to boot, fails periodically, and is loaded with confirmation dialogs ad-nauseum.
C. McFeeny @ Sep 22nd 2007 9:51AM
Siemens is a very diverse company. I don't know that it would necessarily be VDO that would be partnered with Microsoft. Siemens has a partnership deal with Nokia on European cell phone service and technology.
Incidentally Ford partners with Siemens UGS PLM Software on Ford's engineering and design software.