Where the heck is Windows Automotive?

thoughtfix · 11-03-2006, 07:14 PM

I decided to write a blog post about the subject, the underlying facts, and the total lack of devices.

You're all welcome to check it out.

Who else would like a deck like the one I described?

BassBinDevil · 11-03-2006, 08:16 PM

Obviously "Windows Automotive" is hiding out next to Microsoft's "Auto PC" standard from 1998.

SFiorito · 11-03-2006, 08:44 PM

Windows Automotive is alive and well, but you're most likely not gonna know you're using it. It's a product used by the car manufacturers to develop custom telematics solutions, similar to how companies use Windows CE.NET or XP Embedded. I believe Fiat was the first car manufacturer to come out with a Windows Automotive device in their cars, not sure who else has a car on the market with it now. Windows Autmotive was never meant to be a consumer product.

thoughtfix · 11-03-2006, 10:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SFiorito

Windows Autmotive was never meant to be a consumer product.

Why would the have Alpine listed as a partner if this were the case? it seems to me Windows Mobile based head unit would be a very powerful, desirable upgrade.

SFiorito · 11-04-2006, 11:34 AM

what i'm saying is that Windows Automotive is used by manfucaturers like Alpine, Honda, etc. to build products. It's not meant for end-users to install on their own. Like my cousin's GPS Fish Finder from Lowrance. It runs Windows CE, but unless you recognize it, you wouldn't know (or care).

thoughtfix · 11-22-2006, 12:50 AM

But then ... what's stopping someone from making a CE based instant-on device as I described? There HAS to be a market for it if people are buying Pioneer AVIC units for so much money.

god_of_cpu · 11-22-2006, 01:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by thoughtfix

But then ... what's stopping someone from making a CE based instant-on device as I described? There HAS to be a market for it if people are buying Pioneer AVIC units for so much money.

Uh... the pioneer AVIC is powered by windows CE.

proph · 11-22-2006, 01:18 AM

I thought things would get to a point when boot is instant and everything is totally embedded. The embedded is here but things are still slow being based off XP. Just baffles me that we could have over a gig of cpu and memory out the ying and not perform as well as some of the off the shelf units.

Nomader · 11-22-2006, 02:56 AM

come on i have yet to see an off the shelf product that can even compete with a Carpc. and probably car pcs (as we make them) will not be seen in a OEM form any time soon.. maybe thay don't reallize the market, or maybe they are just not interested for many other reosons.... hell, electric powered cars have yet to be seen in the market.. car manufacturers have been using the intenal combustion engine for over 150 years! that is what they know, and that is what they use. if car pcs are going to be installed in every car insead of standard HU, head units as people know them, are going to be in the past, imagine what that would do to a small or big HU manufacturer.. it is all down to politics or policies

in the end.

proph · 11-22-2006, 09:13 AM

I think you've sailed through my point. I'm focusing on the minuses of the carputer. Whats different/frustrating about the puter. Bootup! Streamlining bootup would be a big plus in puters. If RR/Frodo/SD could run on CE or to startup like a normal auto reciever then the CarPC would hit the mainstream.

SFiorito · 11-22-2006, 10:06 AM

CE or "embedded" does not necessarily mean fast boot up. My CarPC running off a USB flash drive with a slimmed down version of XP boots up a lot faster than my phone running Windows Mobile 5.

proph · 11-22-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SFiorito

CE or "embedded" does not necessarily mean fast boot up. My CarPC running off a USB flash drive with a slimmed down version of XP boots up a lot faster than my phone running Windows Mobile 5.

I'm aware of that...

Does anyone understand my point?

Moving on...

SFiorito · 11-22-2006, 11:28 AM

What is your point???

Nomader · 11-22-2006, 03:11 PM

i don't get you point either.. sorry I was out sailing through your point

just kidding

My car turns on the ACC voltage ( triggering my DSATX) as soon as I open my car doors with my key remote.. my pc is out of hibernation and music plays on RR before I reach my car and open my door

my symbian nokia N70 takes longer to boot up!!

thoughtfix · 11-22-2006, 04:10 PM

Oh... well MY point is that a removable unit that can behave as a normal Windows Mobile 5 unit (compatible software, media playback, third-party application installing, etc) would be a lot more flexible than the AVIC.

Basically, an oversized, media-centric touchscreen PDA with a radio tuner and maybe a CD/DVD drive in the "dock" part of the head unit.