Microsofts Automotive Business Unit announced the release of Windows Automotive 5.0 at The Microsoft Windows Automotive Conference 2005.
From the press release, "Windows Automotive 5.0 provides the automotive industry with a powerful, flexible software platform to create an array of cutting-edge in-vehicle solutions."
The system touts such features as an enhanced user interface toolkit and expanded virtual memory support for the creation of complex 3-D graphics and advanced navigational displays. Also mentioned are enhanced power management and faster cold boot times for increased performance.
"Based on the robust, real-time embedded operating system Windows CE 5.0, Windows Automotive 5.0 contains the building blocks necessary to integrate with off-board services, including those offering real-time traffic updates, directions to the cheapest gas in town, turn-by-turn navigation and more." And with support for 802.11, Bluetooth, USB and other common standards the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Being a software engineer and an auto enthusiast, designing an in-car system to play music, movies and other media all while making calls on my phone via bluetooth and following google maps directions to a car event, etc... has always been something I've wanted to do. Now with the new version of Windows Automotive and its ease of use I may finally be able to find the time to do just that.
Microsoft has release a few videos to demonstrate some of the possibilties. Watch them here.