Yesterday, at the SAE Convergence 2010 Conference and Exhibition in Detroit, Microsoft announced the availability of Windows Embedded Automotive 7. Windows Embedded Automotive 7 is an industry-leading platform providing integrated services for communication, entertainment, navigation and information for the mass market.
Key features include touch input, hands-free Bluetooth phone communications, advanced dashboard systems for access to music, maps, third-party apps and navigation, and streamlined connectivity with other devices. Car makers will be able to easily create rich 2D and 3D graphics for engaging user experiences through Silverlight, and speech commands will support eight languages; U.S. English, U.K. English, German, Mexican Spanish, Continental Spanish, Canadian French, Continental French and Korean. Voice recognition attempts to make a big leap in road safety by enabling SMS Reply by voice. Windows Embedded Automotive 7 will only be available to certain car manufacturers, including Fiat, Ford, and Kia, but with entertainment and safety features such as these, the capabilities offered by Windows Embedded Automotive 7 will hopefully become the norm before long.