Will Your Next Car Run Windows?

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Will Your Next Car Run Windows?

Posted by michael on Thursday October 21, 2004 @04:20AM from the tuneup-and-virus-scan-for-$29.95 dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft is beginning to move into the automotive industry. Their 'Automotive Business Unit' is selling a custom version of Windows CE called Windows Automotive. Microsoft attended a conference in Detroit this week to promote their software."

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Before "If Microsoft made cars..." jokes ensue by daniil · 2004-10-21 04:22 · Score: 5, Insightful

Before you start posting stupid "If Microsoft made cars" jokes, RTFA: Windows Automotive, by the way, does not share a network with the low-level systems of a vehicle--so a software crash won't result in, say, brake failure.
The question is, though, do we need such things in our cars? Do we really need cars equipped with "home entertainment systems," if these cars will only be used for trips to the nearest shop or driving to work?

--
Man is a slave because freedom is difficult, whereas slavery is easy.
1. Re:Before "If Microsoft made cars..." jokes ensue by DaHat · 2004-10-21 04:25 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  The question is, though, do we need such things in our cars? Do we really need cars equipped with "home entertainment systems," if these cars will only be used for trips to the nearest shop or driving to work?
  
  Of course we don't *need* such options... few things in life do we actually *need*, however such toys do often make life more enjoyable.
  
  I dunno about you, but I don't *need* my ipod, cell phone, or laptop... and a 1 bedroom apartment and a smaller vehicle would probably cost me less and be just enough to get me by... but if one is willing and able to plunk down the cash for a little more? Why not?
  
  --
  Help Brendan pay off his student loans
2. Re:Before "If Microsoft made cars..." jokes ensue by jridley · 2004-10-21 05:07 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  As a father of two, the youngest 7, I say NO! My kids can damn well learn to read, play games, draw, etc rather than to turn on the ocular-cerebral tube and going semi-conscious.
  
  It's hard enough trying to force them to be something other than drooling consumer zombies without putting this crap into the car as well. I try not to even turn the radio on with others in the car, unless it's a long trip, it's a welcome opportunity to talk to my family.
Uh-oh by AtlanticCarbon · 2004-10-21 04:22 · Score: 1, Insightful

It's a shame I won't be able to read this thread because of all the obvious "crashing cars" jokes. :( Just can't handle it. Anyway to filter out (Funny) posts?
1. Re:Uh-oh by Ohreally_factor · 2004-10-21 05:18 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Except most of the jokes aren't funny, so you're bound to see most of them multiple times. Oh well.
  
  --
  It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
Who by AcornWeb · 2004-10-21 04:23 · Score: 2, Insightful

in their right mind is going to trust their life to Microsoft? Thanks, but I think I'll pass.

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Your Windows PC is my other computer.
BMWs by squisher · 2004-10-21 04:24 · Score: 5, Insightful

I really hope that doesn't get too widespread... aren't there Videos on the net about the BMW (with Windows) where you can't close the trunk anymore and other fun things like these? Of course, maybe BMW is to blame here BUT Windows just doesn't have the reputation for reliability that I'd want for an OS in my car... no matter how many licenses M$ has already sold, that does not proof that it's good.

~Squisher
Re:I've had my car broken into enough by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-21 04:25 · Score: 1, Insightful

At lease he didn't go with a crash joke.
+1 Original Thought
Use buying power by Zzeep · 2004-10-21 04:29 · Score: 5, Insightful

I truely don't understand geeks who claim microsoft sucks but still for example have an xbox at home. If you don't want to buy a car with Microsoft software on some device, tell the salesperson that you won;t buy like the car because it uses Microsoft software. It's that simple, really.
1. Re:Use buying power by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-21 05:35 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  And everyone of the economics impaired who buys one gives Bill $150 to offset some of the losses.
2. Re:Use buying power by Phil246 · 2004-10-21 05:41 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  of those xboxes, how many run linux, and how many are a nice little web server :)
Re:Crashes by Ignignot · 2004-10-21 04:35 · Score: 1, Insightful

If only there was a way to mod "too obvious to be funny" :-(

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I submitted this story last night, and it didn't get posted.
No by PotatoHead · 2004-10-21 04:37 · Score: 2, Insightful

I'm not sure they will get into the core systems anyway. I think this is a likely move toward getting their media formats everywhere they can.

They know it's going to be hard to compete with Apple because the I-pod already captured the mindshare of the important people. (The cool ones.)

If they get their stuff built into the car, then they can tie that, their OS, delivery formats and services into a delivery chain that does not leave room for I-pod.

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Blogging because I can...
Levels of computerization by BrotherZeoff · 2004-10-21 04:41 · Score: 2, Insightful

- Stuff unrelated to driving, like the MP3 player.

- Stuff that can assist driving, like the falling-asleep camera mentioned earlier today, heads-up displays, etc

- "Drive by wire" like the F16. Electronic ignition timing; intelligent suspension, etc.

Do we always want physical failsafes on the deepest levels? Do we trust brake lines/brake fluid more than we trust data and power cables to a remote braking mechanism?

There's certainly a drive to integrate the levels. There are people in the world would would like cars to have speed governors, or breathalyzers. Or features the gently prevent tailgating at high speeds. If Microsoft gets in at the top level through the MP3 player, I can see it bullying its way down to the deeper levels as they integrate.
1. Re:Levels of computerization by Grishnakh · 2004-10-21 05:15 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Do we trust brake lines/brake fluid more than we trust data and power cables to a remote braking mechanism?
  
  Absolutely, yes. When was the last time your brakes failed because of a problem in the fluid or brake lines? Now, when was the last time your car lost power because of a dead battery or alternator?
  
  This drive to make everything xxxxx-by-wire is a recipe for disaster, plain and simple. It's ok for commercial or military aviation where the planes are rigorously checked every single day, checked at the start of every single flight, and scrupulously maintained. But passenger cars are not maintained this way, and never will be as long as they're privately owned. (Even if they were corporately owned, the company would probably skimp on maintenance to save a buck, since there's no FAA threatening them with severe penalties, and not such a certainty of people dying if something goes wrong.)
  
  Cars need to have the simplest and most reliable systems possible, even if it prevents fancy integration features from being implemented.
  
  Moreover, fly-by-wire controls make some sense in planes, because the old hydraulic systems added a lot of weight compared to the electrical systems. Cars aren't as large, so the hydraulic systems don't add much weight, and weight also isn't nearly as important a factor in cars as it is in planes.
Re:Crashes by SilentChris · 2004-10-21 04:49 · Score: 3, Insightful

"Great - now I can crash my car even after I've already crashed it."

Congratulations! You are the [100,000th] person to make the [same damn joke about Windows], [nmg196]! Surely, you must be [proud] of your [ability to karma whore]! Please [tell your mom I said hi] and [take a lesson in comedic originality]. Sincerely, [Slashdot].
Re:Obligatory by drinkypoo · 2004-10-21 04:56 · Score: 3, Insightful

Sports cars are typically safer and more efficient than other cars; they are easier to see around and less obtrusive. Whether you have a need for an SUV or not it is more obtrusive and more hazardous to the drivers around you. Also, probably about half of the drivers of sports cars are women aged 30 and up who want a car which is responsive, cute, and gets good mileage.

I am not talking about stopping people from buying SUVs. I'm talking about the mindset that goes into buying an SUV, which is typically pretty fucking stupid. Of course, I'm typically arrogant, so I'm not sure I have any right to talk - but this is slashdot.

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Things my car does not need by nuintari · 2004-10-21 05:37 · Score: 2, Insightful
Things I do not want in my car, ever, and why:
1. GPS Navigation System: Maybe for some of you, but I have a good direction sense, mapquest, and a printer.
2. TV/DVD Player: Are you fucking insane? You can't watch tv while your driving, and I do not drive my car only to have the passengers ignore me while they enjoy the latest simpsons. Entertain your driver damnit! And don't give me that, "But it keeps the kids quiet!" argument. Fuck your kids, your kids suck.
3. OnStar: Apparently, you can use onstar to order flowers, arrange vacations, and have a hooker waiting for you on your lunch break. All things that are safer to do while you are NOT DRIVING. Well, maybe not the hooker, but come on people, cell phones are bad enough, now we have a shopping cart system in every rich man's car to distract him from what he should be paying attention to: the road.
4. An OS: Since I do not want any of these handy "time saving" services in my car, why in hell's name do I need an OS for in my car? I don't! Last I checked, I don't have one in my current car, and it seems to get me to places just fine. I need windows CE running my car as much as I need MacOSX running the office water cooler.
Sometimes people get so caught installing a computer in everything that they forget to take a step back and think, "Ya know, this is the dumbest idea I have ever had."
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--Nuintari

slashdot : where an opinion can be wrong.
Nothing new... by EmbeddedJanitor · 2004-10-21 08:05 · Score: 3, Insightful

The car was one of the original targets for WinCE V 1.0... about 6 or so years back now. There was a CD-player size thing called the Clarion or some such that never really made any impact.
Since then they have made glossies for an automotive version (along side their PDA version, Smartphone edition etc), though it isn't apparent that they've got many customers onboard.
So long as they stay the hell away from brakes and engine control I'm not too worried.

--
Engineering is the art of compromise.
When was the last time your ethernet cable by Intraloper · 2004-10-21 08:50 · Score: 2, Insightful

spent 30,000 miles being jounced around subject to flying debris, water, oil, SALT, heat, cold, in a semi-open environment. If I get a hydraulic problem I can spot it quickly by seeing the drip, or noticing the reservoir is down a bit, or the warnign light comes on. If I get contaminated fluid, I can still pump the brakes to a stop. If my 'ethernet controlled' brake system fails, I got nuthin'. I dont like having nuthin', when its my brakes I'm talking about.
Re:Crashes by Zhe+Mappel · 2004-10-21 09:26 · Score: 2, Insightful

Because on slashdot, any joke about how much Windows sucks is about as likely to get you moderated "Insightful" as it is to get you modded "Funny".
Well, true enough, but so what? Are you saying that the jokes aren't insightful or funny enough, or are you admitting that you don't get them? ;-)