Fiat Joins Microsoft in a Wireless Partnership

bizpile writes "The AP is reporting that Microsoft and Fiat have gotten together to develop a system of wireless communications into Fiat's vehicles. The goal of the alliance, announced Thursday, is to create a flexible, easy-to-use telematics system (think OnStar from General Motors) for Fiat and its Lancia and Alfa Romeo brands sold in Europe, the companies said."

Comments

Telematics? or ipod/Symbian/Palm lockout?

[Angostura]

You look at the story, and think 'wireless telematics? (a) why? (b) eek, scary.'

But in fact it appears this doesn't really have a lot to do with conventional auto telemetrics:

From the arcticle:

The Microsoft/Fiat system, expected to be available in vehicles next year, will be based on standard hardware and operate with Microsoft Windows Automotive software. Using the short-range digital wireless communications standard known as Bluetooth, it will allow motorists to integrate their cell phones and personal digital assistants with the onboard system.

Drivers also will be able to access digital music stored in personal electronic devices through a USB connection in the dashboard, as well as other information."

So what we have here is a way of ensuring that (presumably MS-based) music players and (presumably MS-based) PDAs will be able to link in.

It's notable that they are planning to use USB for music (so no iPods).

So in reality, not really as scary, or indeed as interesting/innovative as it could have been.

Re:Bring a whole new meaning to..

[splateagle]

1974 called: it wants its joke back.

seriously though (for the benefit of all you state-side /.ers) FIAT's not the company it was way back when they were selling cars over there, their output is actually pretty damned good these days, mechanically that is - this move is likely to mean really sucky in-car electronics

here comes microsoft again.

[uv_light]

this time, they are going to do car business. once they win the compitition, what is giong to happen, something similar to Internet Explorer? just hope they are not going to win... but I mean, with Microsoft's reputation who would want to buy the car that equiped with anything that is Microsoft? maybe I am just worrying too much.

Cars and Complexity

[Advocadus Diaboli]

No, I don't need a car with lots of complex things inside. I want a car that works reliable and that allows me to fix simple "bugs" by myself. But today a car mechanican needs more to be a computer operator than a wrench operator.

Every complex piece of hard or software that is not there can't break. Actually German newstickers have a story about BMW that has to call back a lot of cars to the factory because a fault in the on board electronics can cause a loss of steering or breaking power.

Now just imagine a Windows(R) powered car. In the case of a crash I don't want an stupid clip to appear and ask me if I want that the airbag is released. And a steering that reacts to spoken commands will crash very quickly when my wife is driving since she sometimes mistakes "left" and "right". :-)

Re:How fitting

[splateagle]

*chortle* I take it you didn't rtfa?

To date, Microsoft's telematics customers include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Citroen, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota and Volvo

Re:A list of desirable exclusions

[syrinje]

I know the article said this will augment "existing audio and electronic systems" in the vehicle. I wouldnt bet a whole lot on their ability to execute to this spec without touching any of the rest of the onboard computer systems (which is usually ONE modular package sitting behind the dash or under the roof).

Interesting tid-bit: CDMA phones do play havoc with the cruise control in some cars. A car on cruise will accelarate, BY ITSELF, when the Paging message goes out to the mobile handset. Doesnt seem like all manufacturers EMI/EMC test their cars against interference from the most used frequency band. Guess what frequency Wireless LAN uses?

As for plugging in the iPoD - guess I'll just have to go out and get a pair of those darned expensive bose headphones :)

Re:A list of desirable exclusions

[Viol8]

"won't be going anywhere near the critical systems you list"

Yet! Since when has MS ever stopped short of trying to corner a whole market if at all possible? Windows for Vehicles might be a bit of a gag now but don't bet it won't ever happen since car ECUs are just another embedded system and MS already have WinNT embedded to play with.

Re:Not to ruin the anti-MS zealot party...

[C0vardeAn0nim0]

first of all: wins car of the year the brand with bigger marketing budget. second: the most expensive maintenace around here (brasil) even with almos 100% of the parts made here. now they're puting M$ code onboard to make it even more expensive to keep ?

second: mercedes also uses linux on some models. BMW went micro$oft in theor top of the line models and the result is a crappy, hard to use joystick interface full of bugs (dashboard displaying incorrect info, headlights shuting down in the road, engine dying for no reason,...)

expect probkems (lots of them) with M$ powered fiats. I for one welcome our new Volkswagen overlords. not the cheapest models but way more reliable and easier to keep than fiat. and no M$ code in them.