New Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive - Reliable, Flexible and Connected MICROSOFT LOGO Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] REDMOND, WA USA 08/22/2000
16 October 2000
New Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive - Reliable, Flexible and Connected MICROSOFT LOGO Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] REDMOND, WA USA 08/22/2000
Newest Automotive Software Platform Is Part of Microsoft's Car.NET Framework
DETROIT, Oct. 16 Today at Convergence 2000, the premier
automotive electronics conference, Microsoft Corp. announced
the introduction of the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) CE for Automotive v.3
operating system. It will enable system manufacturers to build next-
generation, in-car computing systems that improve safety, communications,
information and entertainment.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
"The market for in-car computing is poised to embark on an amazing
journey," said Bob McKenzie, general manager of the Automotive Business Unit
at Microsoft. "Safety and security services are among the most important
criteria to motorists. They want access to Internet-based information such as
news, traffic updates, instant messaging, navigation assistance and other
services. They also have a keen interest in back-seat entertainment systems.
Windows CE for Automotive is designed to provide these features and more by
delivering state-of-the-art reliability, flexibility and connectivity."
Windows CE for Automotive v.3 is an integral component of the just-
announced Microsoft Car.NET Framework, an advanced, new-generation
infrastructure technology that revolutionizes computing and communications in
the automobile. Windows CE for Automotive v.3 delivers built-in reliability.
Problems are averted before they can occur, or resolved without the need for
user intervention.
The Critical Process Monitor (CPM) prevents system crashes and protects it
from viruses. Run-time recovery ensures that the system will detect and
automatically recover from failures.
Windows CE for Automotive v.3 has strong backing in the automotive
industry. Bosch Corp. of Germany and Denso Corp. of Japan have announced plans
to build and ship in-vehicle devices based on this software platform. In
addition, leading automotive industry suppliers -- such as Aisin AW Co. Ltd.,
Clarion Co. Ltd., Xanavi Informatics Corp. and Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Japan's
second-largest trading house, have announced plans to develop systems and
software applications on Windows CE for Automotive.
Windows CE for Automotive v.3 provides a flexible software foundation,
along with development tools that empower customers to create desired
solutions. It is an open system, so designers have complete freedom to choose
the hardware platform, user interface and software configuration that best
meet their needs. A superset of Windows CE Platform Builder, Windows CE for
Automotive v.3 permits developers to control software configuration and to
include or exclude any component of the platform. This provides system
suppliers with maximum flexibility to build cost-effective products. To
accelerate time to market, Windows CE for Automotive v.3 includes sample
applications such as Media Manager, which supports digital audio (Windows
Media(TM) Audio, MP3) and enables implementation of video sources.
Windows CE for Automotive v.3 also contains the GDI-Sub, a high-
performance feature for the most demanding graphics applications, such as
navigation. It also includes the Driver Distraction Control and an enhanced
Power Management Architecture that supports low- and zero-power modes and
that enables the system to go into zero battery-drain mode. Applications can
be developed in a variety of languages, including C, C++ or Java (COM and
DCOM).
Windows CE for Automotive v.3 is connected. Information, entertainment and
communications devices are highly integrated, facilitating exceptional
wireless access to the outside world. There is full HTML browser software with
XML parsing support. Sample browser source code is included. Full TAPI
(Telephony API) support enables both voice and data calls. Windows CE for
Automotive v.3 opens up the world of the wireless Internet to motorists.
A dynamic evolution in hardware and software to meet the needs of the
automotive industry is under way. Microsoft, along with its development and
manufacturing partners, will play an essential role in advancing these
flexible and integrated devices. Microsoft is committed to the automotive
industry and will continue delivering enhanced versions of Windows CE for
Automotive on schedule, with consistently improved platform features,
flexibility and development tools.
About Windows CE for Automotive
Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive is an operating system built on
Windows CE technology to make possible new categories of in-car computers that
are capable of safely providing drivers and passengers with hands-free
communication, access to personalized information on the Internet, the ability
to summon emergency services and roadside assistance, and an array of
convenience and entertainment applications. Windows CE for Automotive is an
open platform that allows developers to quickly create powerful in-car
computing solutions. It offers flexibility and choice of computing platforms,
hardware peripherals and software components, as well as a large community of
developers familiar with Windows CE development practices.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company
offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people
through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Windows and Windows Media are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
Quote Sheet
"When the development environment and development tools can be commonly
shared, development man-hours and lead times can be reduced. By using
Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive, we will be able to supply car navigation
systems suitable for worldwide traffic information on a common global platform
at reasonable prices."
-- Kenji Ito
Managing Director
Aisin AW Co. Ltd.
"As in-vehicle systems have become diversified, highly advanced and
multifunctioned, we expect to pursue highly reliable, flexible and expandable
in-vehicle devices according to the general-purpose Microsoft Windows
operating system and the in-vehicle integration system. We marketed in-vehicle
multimedia devices equipped with Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive as the
operating system overseas for the first time, and we will continue cooperating
with Microsoft to promote in-vehicle devices as a part of information
technology."
-- Shoichi Minagawa
General Manager of Technology Development Headquarters
Clarion Co. Ltd.
"We believe that an open platform like Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive
can facilitate modularization and componentization of software for navigation
systems, which in turn will greatly contribute to expansion of the navigation
system markets in the future. We will positively support industry activities
based on Windows CE for Automotive and will propose various contents and
application software necessary for navigation systems."
-- Seiichi Shimada
Vice President
Mitsui & Co. Ltd.
"Quick introduction of the latest technology is quite necessary in the car
environment in the advanced information age. By using an open software
platform like Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive, we will be able to market
compelling products with short development cycles. We expect to have the
common and open platform that allows each user to easily expand functions and
to realize an advanced and attractive general-purpose system."
-- Kenichi Mitamura
Director and Senior Vice President
Product Strategy and Planning
Xanavi Informatics Corp.
"We feel it is best to have a common software platform to benefit end
users and to activate the market. We will be working with Microsoft and other
members of the industry to develop common specifications based on Windows CE
for Automotive to provide quality in-vehicle systems and applications."
-- Mitsuharu Kato
Director and Member of the Board
ITS Product Division and Communication Product Division
DENSO Corp.