"Where do you want to go today?" could again be Microsoft trademark. The software giant has deployed its mobile operating system to the car dashboard. Named Windows Automotive, the key benefits include:
- Entertainment system control
- Mobile Phone integration
- Digital music player
- Voice activated commands
- Wireless integration with iPod
- Address book, contact information
It's essentially a modified version of their PocketPC, Microsofts cell phone OS; a combination of Windows Media Player and Outlook. Its about time Microsoft makes some headway in getting passed the desktop.
Big Partners
Expect to see the Windows Automotive OS in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury which will have the OS pre-installed; however several other manufacturers are allowing the vehicle upgrade including: Acura, BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, Fiat, Subaru, Honda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Volvo.
Where's Google?
It has been rumored that Google will release a mobile operating system. While the search giant doesn't specialize in OS software, they are interested in seeing their solutions, such as Mapping and collaboration freely used. Noticeably missing from the integration with Ford is mapping technology. While Microsoft is charging the automobile manufacturers and ultimately consumers for the software, Google would be likely give away their version by subsidizing it with mapped advertising.
Would you like the car with 6 or 8 cylinder; leather or cloth interior... and finally: Microsoft or Google dashboard?
2 comments:
In a 2013 new rental car and got to use Sync, the Microsoft vehicle dashboard OS. The touch display was nice, the biggest I've seen in a car (besides Teslas), but the system was a remarkably poor experience. No navigation, no map, no local info; it displays the radio station, but not the song/artist as most systems do these days. Not sure who they think this serves - it's practically useless.
Frustrated by the limited options, I used my +Samsung Note 2 for Navigation and proceeded to plug into the cars handy USB port to get a trickle charge. Uhh oh!.. that was a mistake. Apparently Sync scans the USB port for audio files because the cars voice immediate said "I cannot play unlicensed DRM music". Which is odd because I don't have any music files on it. Then it proceeded to autoplay some random voicemail file of my phone through the car stereo! #privacyfailure. I suppose that would be very cool if I wanted it to do that; but I just wanted some power #nostringsattached. Ironically I could not get the Google Navigation audio to come through the car sound system; though I suspect that is a limitation of the +Google Maps app.
Perhaps most shocking was that when a Microsoft phone is plugged into Microsoft Sych, guess what happens?... "USB device not supported" #techfail
Poor MSFT.. doesn't know "where it wants to go today".
+Microsoft +Ford Motor Company
In a 2013 new rental car and got to use Sync, the Microsoft vehicle dashboard OS. The touch display was nice, the biggest I've seen in a car (besides Teslas), but the system was a remarkably poor experience. No navigation, no map, no local info; it displays the radio station, but not the song/artist as most systems do these days. Not sure who they think this serves - it's practically useless.
Frustrated by the limited options, I used my +Samsung Note 2 for Navigation and proceeded to plug into the cars handy USB port to get a trickle charge. Uhh oh!.. that was a mistake. Apparently Sync scans the USB port for audio files because the cars voice immediate said "I cannot play unlicensed DRM music". Which is odd because I don't have any music files on it. Then it proceeded to autoplay some random voicemail file of my phone through the car stereo! #privacyfailure. I suppose that would be very cool if I wanted it to do that; but I just wanted some power #nostringsattached. Ironically I could not get the Google Navigation audio to come through the car sound system; though I suspect that is a limitation of the +Google Maps app.
Perhaps most shocking was that when a Microsoft phone is plugged into Microsoft Sych, guess what happens?... "USB device not supported" #techfail
Poor MSFT.. doesn't know "where it wants to go today".
+Microsoft +Ford Motor Company
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