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When Appliances Revolt

Posted by michael on from the i'm-goodlife dept.

conaone writes "From the "disconcerting" file, Baseline has a weird story about how the increase in use of embedded operating systems is causing strange things to happen to consumer products. Their example is the use of Windows CE in the BMW 745i, which apparently occasionally goes nuts. The best is the list of video clips showing off the possessed car."

5 of 531 comments (clear)

  1. Well, I'm Speechless by Snork+Asaurus · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Windows CE in the BMW 745i, which apparently occasionally goes nuts

    I'll bet none of you saw that coming.

    --
    Sigs are bad for your health.
  2. Why is WinCE still popular? by Nanite · · Score: 2, Flamebait

    When MS gets winCE installed in highly important devices like a freakin' car, we all laugh and make BSOD jokes. But you know what, we're right! When I see MS trolls complain of the bias we all show in these forums, they don't realize that most of us are IT professionals and we know what we're talking about. Damnit, how can a company sell software that makes cars crash and not only get away with it, but have it be called a 'minor bug' in the press? As much as I hate to say it, we need to see some lawsuits come out of this. It's probably the only way Microsoft would ever show some accountability.

    Nanite

    --
    God is real unless declared integer.
    1. Re:Why is WinCE still popular? by nochops · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      I realize you're an IT professional, and I'm one as well. Now that it's established that we're both pretty smart people, tell me where in the story "software that makes cars crash" come up.

      Now, we both know you're talking about the super-duper-uber-bad Microsoft here, but the only thing I could find that obviously referred to WinCE is "...This left me able to drive the car, but unable to operate the radio, telephone or navigation system...". An inconvenience to any 745 owner I'm sure, but hardly life-threatening or inherently dangerous.

      Actually, maybe it's a Godsend that he wasn't able to fiddle with the radio while talking on the phone and fitzing with his GPS...all while -gasp!- driving! He probably would have killed someone, but that's another topic.

      So yeah, software has bugs. and, yeah Microsoft probably used it's considerable marketing prowess to muscle it's way into this market, but I think you're out of line here. I would consider it completely irresponsible of an automobile manufacturer to allow something like WinCE or Linux, or anything not under their direct control to play such a large part in the driver's direct interaction with the car. This is said with driving in mind, not entertainment.

      Now that I've said that, I think you should agree with me here. There's no evidence whatsoever in this article that Microsoft or WinCE had anything to do with the drivability or safety of the car. The very first sentence about the car says that there are "around 70 microprocessors" in the car. Microsoft is only mentioned regarding the car's iDrive system, which (rightly so) is not involved in the operation of the powertrain proper.

      So, Mr. IT professional, put the blame where blame is due, and look for someone else to pick on. I swear, the word "Microsoft" can't even be mentioned around here anymore without a childish remark like yours.

      --
      "A terrorist is someone who has a bomb but doesn't have an air force." -William Blum
  3. video in windows format... sigh by zrodney · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    The best is the list of video clips showing off the possessed car.

    I'm not going to get the crossover plugin just to watch some windows media stream of a bwm with a broken computer. ;)

  4. Raise of hands by krray · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Raise of hands BMW owners...who has a Mac at home?

    Dumb asses.