Microsoft, together with its strategic
partner Fiat Auto, will premiere the new “Blue & Me” telematics system at this year’s Geneva Auto
Show.
Developed with Fiat and Italian auto-electronics manufacturer Magneti Marelli, the system runs on
Microsoft’s latest edition of Windows Mobile for Automotive and will initially be offered on Fiat, Lancia and Alfa
Romeo vehicles, starting this spring.
As you might expect, the “Blue” in the somewhat awkward
product name stands for “Bluetooth,” and the system is compatible with a wide range of bluetooth-equipped
phones and other devices. A voice-recognition system and steering wheel mounted controls makes operation of the system
safe and simple, and no voice system “training” is needed, according to Fiat. (In a clever feature, the voice
system can “read” mobile phone SMS text messages to the driver.)
The system includes a USB port in
the glovebox, and is compatible with a wide range of smart phones, MP3 players and USB memory sticks.
Later
versions of the system will include a nav system, OnStar-like services, and a “personal assistant”
feature.
Oh, “Blue & Me” is meant to evoke “a completely integrated technology with a
one-to-one relation with the customer,” according to Fiat.
[Source: Fiat]