Will Your Next Car Run Windows?

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."

Comments

Before "If Microsoft made cars..." jokes ensue

[daniil]

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?

Re:Before "If Microsoft made cars..." jokes ensue

[DaHat]

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?

BMWs

[squisher]

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

Use buying power

[Zzeep]

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.

Re:Crashes

[SilentChris]

"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

[drinkypoo]

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.

Re:Levels of computerization

[Grishnakh]

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.

Nothing new...

[EmbeddedJanitor]

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.