Any thoughts on Auto PC's? HOw will they market this? It would seem that an auto PC should be an add on device, or will I buy this from Ford and ask their support when it has a problem?
I wonder how much this machine will be used to run a car? Probably not at all. So, if I buy this computer, (from who), and install it myself, where will I put it? There needs to be an options bay for a computer. I can't very well glue it to the dash board. It's got talk to my car sound system, and should be attached to the odometer, etc and it should probably have an antenae of some sort to go online and get global positioning.
It's interesting this discussion of auto pc's, but how will they emerge and who will be the winners? Will they have disk drives? What kind of screens will they have for viewing? If it provides on board entertainment, it'll need to be viewable from all locations, or else it'll have to be sound based entertainment. Entertainment means CD/DVD?
I once recall sitting in a state park enjoying the nature when a park ranger parked near by and left his car running. It was so annoying, I walked over and asked him why we needed to here his motor if he wasn't going anywhere. He said on board computers couldn't handle the motor shutting off very well. Well, that was 3 years ago and much as changed, hasn't it?
Regards,
Mark
Tuesday April 7, 12:02 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Intel, Microsoft Collaborate on In-Car Computing Solutions
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1998--Applications for in-car computing, such as voice-activated
navigation, hands-free voice/data telephony, driver information and entertainment for drivers and passengers, will soon be
realized through the combined efforts of Intel Corporation and Microsoft Corporation.
Today, at the third annual Microsoft Windows CE Developers Conference, the two companies announced that they are
collaborating on a common vision for in-car computing.
''We see the vehicle as one of the next strategic locations for computing,'' said Mike Aymar, Intel vice president and general
manager, Consumer Products Group. ''Intel Architecture and Windows CE provide a compelling combination to propel this
emerging market segment forward.''
''The combination of the Windows CE platform and Intel Architecture makes for a compelling development environment,''
said Paul Maritz, group vice president of applications and platforms at Microsoft. ''Developers can take advantage of their
expertise in Windows platforms to bring new applications and functionality to in-car computing.''
To deliver on this vision, the two companies will work together to develop platforms based on Intel Architecture processors
and the AutoPC platform, powered by Windows CE. Intel and Microsoft are also collaborating with key companies in the
automotive industry to bring entertainment, computing and communications to the car using widely accepted technologies from
the computing industry.
Activities are already underway in developing advanced platforms based on the Intel Architecture and Windows CE, including
support for Intel's Pentium processor. Software development kits for developers to begin writing applications for in-vehicle
computing using Windows CE / Auto PC on Intel Architecture have been distributed to attendees at the developers
conference. And looking ahead, Intel and Microsoft plan to work together to optimize Windows CE for current and future
Intel Architecture processors.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT - news) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The
company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making
it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day. Intel, the world's
largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of personal computer, networking and communications products. Additional
information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom. |
