Many people have built their own car PC and installed their rig into their autos, but now
Microsoft feels that they must partner with Ford to put Windows into your car. Why? Microsoft really doesn't want to take over the world you know, just your desktop, living room, workplace, car, plane, tricycle, government, oh yeah and they want to be in charge of how much filling goes into Twinkies too. Despite the megalomaniacal leanings of good ol' MS, Ford is going yo go along with it anyway. The system will have some form of Windows (if we're lucky it will be Windows Mobile), bluetooth, SmartPhone support, probably GPS support and who knows what else. Honestly I would rather put together my own PC than let Microsoft norse it up by putting together their own idea of what I need in a car PC, but hey, that's just me. I am a bit skeptical about the idea, and will remain so until I see how viable and useful the Windows-Powered car PC really is. First the PC is integrated with Ford cars in a non-threatening "just-for-fun" way, but soon, the car PC will want to run everything. I can't wait to hear the Microsoft Agent voice say, "you should pull over to the side of the road before your car loses power. Your fuel is severely depleted." That will be the day.
Tags: CAR, Fiat, Ford, Microsoft, news, PC
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Comments
16
Subscribe to commentsToddDec 27th 2006 8:51AM
Actually the "voice" in the car will say...
"Your Windows Mobile Ford Vehicle Edition license has expired and you are not allowed to start your car. Would you like to renew now?"
ToddDec 26th 2006 5:19PM
Actually the "voice" in the car will say...
"Your Windows Mobile Ford Vehicle Edition license has expired and you are not allowed to start your car. Would you like to renew now?"
CraigDec 27th 2006 12:33AM
This will give a new meaning to "system crash".
Bob JonesDec 26th 2006 5:25PM
What the hell is a Twink?
DanDec 26th 2006 5:34PM
It's a little cake filled with some sort of cream.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinkie
Stephen Cee.Dec 26th 2006 9:13PM
Hmmm.... Windows = Poop. Ford = Poop. I therefore conclude that Windows + Ford (aka Windord) = Mega Poop.
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Just kidding there, but really, I mean, come on. Windows in a Ford would be an absolute nightmare. Between repairing the car twice a week or so and repairing windows 3-4 times a week, I'd get to drive the car a whole 2 days a year! Come on!
I'm just praying that Like-A-Rock Chevy chooses Just-Works Apple to make their car OS, or maybe Symbian or Palm or something stable like that, but goodness no, not Wincrud. Heck, I'd rather have my car running on Linux than that.
ShunnabunichDec 27th 2006 2:25AM
If Windows gets installed in cars, I hope the government has the balls to back citizens and not Microsoft when the class-action lawsuits start rolling in because people are dying. Windows is not even safe to use in a stationary computer; in one that affects a potntially lethal mass of glass and metal traveling at high speeds, it should be setting off really freaking loud alarm bells in people's heads.
CharlesDec 27th 2006 3:07PM
I had hoped this day wouldn't come. This saddens me to no end.
james-42Dec 26th 2006 10:54PM
So, in the future, when you want to upgrade your Ford to MS's new OS, will it slow it down like it does your desktop?
Of course, the feature I would be looking for is 'squirting' songs, or personal messages, to other Fords. Oh wait, I don't buy Fords.
OK, sorry, that is just too much MS hating. I run XP and Win2K and like both. But it would worry me to have an MS OS in a vehicle.
NaserDec 28th 2006 10:33AM
I bet the first thing this car will do is to perform a 360 crash just after a full body check up.
People will see (blue screen of) death everywhere then
Lord bless the ford owners, lucky me.. I live in a third world country and don't even own a roller-skate
Book LoverDec 27th 2006 11:12AM
What alarm bells should it set off? Is it running the steering or ABS? Let's get real, it's a lot of fun, and extremely fresh humor to bash anything MS, but there's a limit to the hilarity.
Purchasing a car is still a voluntary decision, and it's your right to make your decision for whatever reason you want, be it rational or irrational. Just don't act like we're suddenly in some nightmare futuristic dystopia because there's an MS OS running the stereo and street directions.
LSDec 27th 2006 2:26AM
geez, looks like the ms haters are out in full force. I think those who think this is a bad idea should actually take a look (in person not online) at real carputers that people have installed into there cars before they judge anything. Ive have a pc in my car now for about 4 years an its never ever crashed, not once, running winxp.
I mean come on, most of the jokes above are pretty old and lame and if windows was soooooo unstable why is something like the vast majority of the whole planet still using it? What other OS do you know that supports the range of hardware that windows does and u can actually do real work on.
And anyone who thinks that carputers will be intergrated into the cars engine and fuel electronics is just retarded, what would even be the point of that. Car manufactures aren't that dumb.
head over to mp3car.com and do some research, and maybe you'll leave with a new hobby.
KeevesDec 27th 2006 12:17PM
to LS "who thinks that carputers will be intergrated into the cars engine and fuel electronics is just retarded, what would even be the point of that. Car manufactures aren't that dumb."
Is this comment serious? All modern cars will use 'computers' of some description (be it microchips or whatever) for these purposes.
FoxDec 27th 2006 6:14PM
"Your steeling wheel and break pedal has been system locked"
oh well, should be fun to see how this car turns out
ShibathedogDec 28th 2006 11:07AM
This is weird because didn't ford and Microsoft get into a bit of a spat awhile back? I remember this really old chain mail that used to go around involving the two companies criticizing each other. Its entirely possible that the chain mail was fake though just for the sake of a chain mail, i never really looked into it.
HomerDec 27th 2006 6:15PM
Actually the version of Windows will probably be "Windows Automotive", which is a variant of CE. I saw some articles and a video of it somewhere on the MS channel 9 forum. It looked pretty impressive. It was modular, there were setups for use with and without a touchscreen. I do, however, have to admit that the BSOD jokes and such are funny/scary.
Here is a link
http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=15651#15651