Near-Future Fords to Feature Windows Automotive

dpbsmith writes "The Detroit Free Press reports that a Windows Automotive software suite named Sync will be featured in some cars available Spring 2007, all 2008 Ford models, and Lincoln and Mercury models later. The software does not, apparently, run the engine or do anything directly connected with transportation. It will, rather, allow the user to 'use their vehicle as a computer in key ways, such as hands-free cell phone calls or downloading music or receiving e-mail.' Bill Ford and Bill Gates were reported as saying that having high-definition screens in vehicles, speech recognition, cameras, digital calendars and navigation equipment with directions and road conditions will set car companies apart from their competitors in the future. 'There are going to be those who have it and those who don't. And even those who get it later are going to be a generation behind,' Ford said."

Comments

This is going to....

[ThePopeLayton]

add an entirely new meaning to crashing your car.

Re:This is going to....

[DrVomact]

Give a whole new meaning to "driver incompatibility". "Driver not found" would be really scary. The most scary one of all would probably be something like "Windows has detected a new device, "Brakes". If you have media for this device, insert it now. Or would you like Windows to search for a new driver on the internet?"

Found On Road Dead

[xs650]

The meaning of the acronym FORD will now changed from Fix Or Repair Daily to Format Or Reboot Daily

System Requirements

[WED Fan]

In keeping with the resource hogging of Vista, Windows Automotive's System requirements:

• 525HP engine, 700HP recommended
• 1080i capable windshield/screen (you brits)
• Trunk/Boot latch with a 3ms response time
• 22in Wheels with Pimp-o-Bling Enhancements recommended
• 7.1 Audio with BASS-O-DEATH
• Auto roll up "View Portals" (Windows refer to the OS and cannot be applied to any glass see through barrier, read the License.)
• Vehicle techs must be MCSE, MCSD, and the new MCATSE (Microsoft Certified Auto Technical Systems Engineer)

Dumbass marketroids

[ScrewMaster]

"There are going to be those who have it and those who don't. And even those who get it later are going to be a generation behind," Ford said.

No, idiot, the ones who get it later will be a generation ahead.

Re:Mostly a problem with women

[Richy_T]

My old girlfriend would talk for hours on the phone, that doubled when she went cordless and then dummy me bought her a headset and I never got to talk to her again.

I'm married, where can I buy one of these headsets?

Rich

Re:Heard this before

[Hamoohead]

You missed a couple:

-- Every time you replaced a headlight you would have to find an updated and signed device driver. If the driver was found not to be DRM compliant, the windshield and stereo would be instructed to go into "lo-res" mode.

-- Every few years, Microsoft would further change the road specification requiring road makers to comply or face the prospect of having no cars on their roads. This would also require you to strip down your car and reinstall everything.

-- Your car would require weekly connection to the internet to verify its authenticity. Depending on the release version, if verification failed you would either be required to pay for your car again before being allowed to continue your journey or a popup window would appear in the lower right corner of your windshield informing you that you are driving an illegal model. Police would be instructed to arrest the driver immediately upon seeing this.

-- Nissan would file a class-action suit against MS claiming copyright infringement on their navigation system. MS would respond with a patch to the road system spec requiring all Nissan owners to install an MS upgrade kit to their vehicle to continue driving on MS roads.

-- Billboards would pop up out of the pavement blocking your field of view requiring you to stop your car and click "X".