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Microsoft Bets Big On Computing For the Car

Posted by timothy on from the it-looks-like-you're-applying-makeup dept.

dstates writes "The automobile industry may be hurting, but Microsoft is doubling down and making a massive new investment in its automotive business unit. Microsoft already works closely with a number of car companies and will enhance that effort with more people and more resources. Sync developed as a collaboration with Ford Motor Co. allows motorists to control their cell phones, music players and navigation systems with voice commands while they drive. Microsoft is also making 'Live Search' technology available to automakers to develop in-car search and navigation. Detroit native Tom Philips, the new unit leader said 'There are a lot of technologies that are two to three years out that are going to provide even more connectivity and innovation. There's such a disconnect between what people experience in their cars and what they experience in the rest of their lives.'"

17 of 378 comments (clear)

  1. Slightly off-topic by grahamsz · · Score: 4, Funny

    Whats the state of navigation for linux in car systems? It'd be fun to homebrew one, but without decent navigation it's not a whole lot of use.

    I'm sure i should have some BSOD joke in here too, but i haven't had my coffee yet

    1. Re:Slightly off-topic by Sun.Jedi · · Score: 4, Funny

      Poll:
      How long before someone 'bricks' their 'stang?

    2. Re:Slightly off-topic by SatanicPuppy · · Score: 5, Funny

      What's that, the geek equivalent of wrapping it around a tree?

      Just doesn't have the same ring to it..."So I jailbroke my Mustang, and then the new firmware bricked it, and now it's just sitting in my driveway saying, 'Please to fasten seat belt' over and over again...So...You wanna go sit in it?"

      It's just not going to draw the girls.

      --
      ad logicam Claiming a proposition is false because it was presented as the conclusion of a fallacious argument.
  2. Blue Windshield of Death! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Well, I don't know, officer, I was driving an' then this animorphic paperclip appeared on the road and I swerved to hit him but instead he was just super 'mposed on the windshield so all I did was hit this here telerphone pole!"

  3. It's Clippy For The Microsoft Auto! by Skeetskeetskeet · · Score: 1, Funny

    Hi! I see you're trying to turn on the radio! Would you like to tune into a station? Hi! I see you're trying to turn on the AC, would you like me to cool the car down! Hi! I see you're masturbating while driving, would you like me to *CRASH*!!!!!!!

    --
    Yeah, my karma sucks....but so do the mods.
  4. Obligatory by Belaj · · Score: 5, Funny

    Deploy airbag? [Cancel | Allow]

  5. Re:About time by dredwerker · · Score: 2, Funny

    I am sorry - I just felt strangely compelled. It was kinda like the clutch in a car - i was pressed into doing it. or depressed. o i dunno

    --
    On a long enough timeline. The survival rate for everyone drops to zero. Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club, 1996
  6. Finally! by InvisblePinkUnicorn · · Score: 2, Funny

    Finally, now the term "speed-hacking" can be applied outside the context of video games!

  7. Re:experience?! by ColdWetDog · · Score: 2, Funny

    I have a novel idea: maybe we should focus on DRIVING while we're in the car.

    And people like you are the reason that progress is so slow. Always doing the same thing, day in - day out. You need to open your horizons to new experiences.

    I feel a car analogy coming ...

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  8. I can see it now by GregPK · · Score: 2, Funny

    I was late today, My car gave me the red ring of death this morning. I called it in, and they tried to charge me 100 dollars to read the error code that a headlight is bad.

  9. I just cant wait to see... by Bazman · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...the first blue windscreen of death. Literally.

    ['windscreen' is what you across the pond call the 'windshield']

  10. Re:Turn left? [Y/N] by pitchpipe · · Score: 3, Funny
    WARNING: You've pressed the brake extremely hard. This could cause compatibility issues with other Microsoft modules in your car.
    You could:
    1. Press the pedal less hard.
    2. Press eject on the CD player.
    3. Try turning off the car, wait 20 seconds, then turn it back on again.

    CANCEL or ALLOW?

    --
    Look where all this talking got us, baby.
  11. New Meaning to BSOD by zach_the_lizard · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft, Automobile Division: giving new meaning to "Blue Screen of Death."

    Enjoy your ride.

    --
    SSC
  12. The return of Clippy! by Eoika · · Score: 2, Funny

    It looks like you're travelling down the freeway.
    Would you like help?
    - Get Help Driving down the freeway.
    - Continue Driving without help.
    - Don't show this tip again.

  13. Re:You can pry it from my cold dead hands by Oh+no,+it's+Dixie · · Score: 1, Funny

    I, for one, welcome our "var computer" overlords.

  14. My first thoughts were... by GameboyRMH · · Score: 4, Funny

    When I saw "brick" and "'stang" in the same sentence, I thought you were going to talk about its handling characteristics...

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=etvaHh244Ok

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  15. Re:TomTom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I got yours, "refurbished." Works fine now.