Motor Authority - blog Tag: microsoft

  • Infiniti, Porsche & Ferrari Offer Desktop Theme Gallery For Microsoft Windows 7

    Infiniti, Porsche & Ferrari Offer Desktop Theme Gallery For Microsoft Windows 7 October 29th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 29th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2 Comments

    Infiniti, Porsche & Ferrari Offer Desktop Theme Gallery For Microsoft Windows 7

    With studies showing that up to half of all computer owners give their personal computers a custom treatment, Infiniti, Porsche and Ferrari have teamed with Microsoft to provide brand-inspired backgrounds, slide shows, screen savers and color customization as part of the new Windows 7 desktop theme gallery.

    This is the first time that Microsoft has made the packages available to partner companies. The special Infiniti theme pack, for example, includes images of various Infiniti vehicles such as the futuristic 2009 Essence Concept.

    The automakers see this as an opportunity to help promote themselves around the globe but also as a way to...

    With studies showing that up to half of all computer owners give their personal computers a custom treatment, Infiniti, Porsche and Ferrari have teamed with Microsoft to provide brand-inspired backgrounds, slide shows, screen savers and color customization as part of the new Windows 7 desktop theme gallery. This is the first time that Microsoft has made the packages available to partner companies. The special Infiniti theme pack, for example, includes images of various Infiniti vehicles such as the futuristic 2009 Essence Concept. The automakers see this as an opportunity to help promote themselves around the globe but also as a way to emphasize the growing belief that technology is an essential ingredient for modern luxury vehicles. The windows 7 desktop theme gallery can be downloaded from http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=109286. Read More

  • Ford launches new SYNC TDI with enhanced navigation features

    Ford launches new SYNC TDI with enhanced navigation features May 30th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, May 30th, 2009 James Martinez 2 Comments

    Ford launches new SYNC TDI with enhanced navigation features Ford is enhancing the capabilities of its vehicles by introducing exclusive new SYNC features that add traffic, directions and information (TDI) in a simple download found on the company’s www.syncmyride.com website. The latest application ties together the advantages of navigation and connectivity technologies and brings in even more options.

    Sync TDI can control a customer’s existing mobile phone, includes an integrated GPS receiver to connect customers to real-time turn-by-turn driving directions, traffic reports and business searches, offers extra features and applications such as favorite news, sports and weather, and... Ford is enhancing the capabilities of its vehicles by introducing exclusive new SYNC features that add traffic, directions and information (TDI) in a simple download found on the company’s www.syncmyride.com website. The latest application ties together the advantages of navigation and connectivity technologies and brings in even more options. Sync TDI can control a customer’s existing mobile phone, includes an integrated GPS receiver to connect customers to real-time turn-by-turn driving directions, traffic reports and business searches, offers extra features and applications such as favorite news, sports and weather, and provides seamless voice-control of all these functions while in the vehicle – at no subscription cost for the first three years of vehicle ownership. To operate the system, all the driver needs to do is state the voice command “services”. Stating “traffic” will then send a text message to the driver’s phone with information such as location and severity of accidents or new road construction causing areas of heavy congestion. This message is then broadcast over the vehicle’s audio system. If a user states “directions,” a turn-by-turn route for a desired journey is downloaded and is spoken to the user over the vehicle’s audio system and displayed on the central information display near the radio. The latest system also enables drivers to personalize and categorize their favorite media topics, such as sports, weather and news using voice commands or through the Sync website. When available as an option, Sync retails for $395, and includes a GPS receiver new for the 2010 model year. Read More

  • Video: Volkswagen shows off GLORIA advanced infotainment system

    Video: Volkswagen shows off GLORIA advanced infotainment system May 19th, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, May 19th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 0 Comments

    Video: Volkswagen shows off GLORIA advanced infotainment system Cars playing music and movies with touch-based interfaces isn't news - but doing it the way Volkswagen is with its new Global Open Infotainment Architecture System (GLORIA) is definitely something different. It's being developed by VW's Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL), and it features some truly interesting ideas.

    Taking on the likes of Microsoft's Automotive platform, which has spawned Ford's Sync and Fiat's Blue & Me systems, the GLORIA project aims to integrate consumer electronics with the in-car system in a completely modular and upgradeable way.

    Based around Intel architecture processors, including the netbook-favorite Atom,... Cars playing music and movies with touch-based interfaces isn't news - but doing it the way Volkswagen is with its new Global Open Infotainment Architecture System (GLORIA) is definitely something different. It's being developed by VW's Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL), and it features some truly interesting ideas. Taking on the likes of Microsoft's Automotive platform, which has spawned Ford's Sync and Fiat's Blue & Me systems, the GLORIA project aims to integrate consumer electronics with the in-car system in a completely modular and upgradeable way. Based around Intel architecture processors, including the netbook-favorite Atom, the system can store digital music, handle full 3D navigation (pictured), view photos and videos, plus all the standards like Bluetooth and USB. The lab car has an always-on internet connection and WiFi capability as well. The coolest feature, however, is the gesture-based touchscreen interface, which allows the driver to control the system with swipes across the screen, eliminating the need to look down to find a button or press a specific region of the screen. So far, the GLORIA system is just a prototype testbed, but with all of this in the works, it's only a matter of time before some of these advanced features begin to make their way into production vehicles. The ERL was also responsible for building VW's entry into the 2007 DARPA unmanned vehicle contest, a vehicle developed further with Stanford University and which has now become the 'Junior' project. For more on the GLORIA system, check out the video below.Volkswagen shows off GLORIA advanced infotainment system Read More

  • 2010 Camaro the first of 28 GM models to get Zune connectivity

    2010 Camaro the first of 28 GM models to get Zune connectivity May 12th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, May 12th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    2010 Camaro the first of 28 GM models to get Zune connectivity The age of MP3 players is fully upon the automotive industry, and consumers now expect - even demand - such connectivity in even the most basic of vehicles. But getting more than basic input-output functionality for the more complex devices on the market isn't quite so easy.

    The Apple iPod has widespread support - though its cellular doppelganger, the iPhone doesn't, much to the chagrin of owners. To date, full support for the competing offering from Microsoft, the Zune, has been almost completely absent from any car. But now General Motors has begun a 28-model roll out of full Zune support, starting with the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

    A... The age of MP3 players is fully upon the automotive industry, and consumers now expect - even demand - such connectivity in even the most basic of vehicles. But getting more than basic input-output functionality for the more complex devices on the market isn't quite so easy. The Apple iPod has widespread support - though its cellular doppelganger, the iPhone doesn't, much to the chagrin of owners. To date, full support for the competing offering from Microsoft, the Zune, has been almost completely absent from any car. But now General Motors has begun a 28-model roll out of full Zune support, starting with the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. A Microsoft employee, Dave McLauchlan, put the new system to the test in a production Camaro in a Chevy dealership yesterday, and sent his results, complete with photos, to blogger, muscle car enthusiast and Zune fan Michael Ganotti. According to an email McLauchlan sent Ganotti, "Zune connectivity is a standard feature on the Camaro which is the first of some 28 models to support Zune as this feature is rolled out across GM models in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia through 2011." It will be interesting to see this feature expand through GM's ever-shrinking lineup, and to see if Apple makes any counter-strokes to help boost compatibility with its devices, especially as launch of the third-gen iPhone draws near this summer. Via: Engadget Read More

  • Microsoft offers greater control with new Auto 4.0 vehicle software platform

    Microsoft offers greater control with new Auto 4.0 vehicle software platform March 2nd, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, March 2nd, 2009 Jeremy Weber 0 Comments

    Microsoft offers greater control with new Auto 4.0 vehicle software platform Microsoft’s ever encroaching assault on the world of automotive software has taken a step further today with the announcement of the company’s new Auto 4.0 vehicle software platform. Microsoft Auto is essentially an operating system that can run various software services and applications developed by Microsoft or other companies.

    Previous generations of the platform provided carmakers with a simple system to add mobile device integration, speech recognition, and infotainment features to their vehicle’s electronic interface. The latest version adds full control of a car’s stereo system, which means it can tune the... Microsoft’s ever encroaching assault on the world of automotive software has taken a step further today with the announcement of the company’s new Auto 4.0 vehicle software platform. Microsoft Auto is essentially an operating system that can run various software services and applications developed by Microsoft or other companies. Previous generations of the platform provided carmakers with a simple system to add mobile device integration, speech recognition, and infotainment features to their vehicle’s electronic interface. The latest version adds full control of a car’s stereo system, which means it can tune the radio, play a CD and transfer a CD's audio tracks to the car's audio hard drive. It also allows full compatibility with Intel processors for the first time. Microsoft plans to showcase the new software platform at this week’s Geneva Motor Show as well as the upcoming CeBIT event. Hyundai is the first carmaker to say it will use the new software, and expects the first vehicles equipped with it to be on the market by next year. Other carmakers that plan to use Auto 4.0 include Fiat Group, which will use the latest software for its next-generation of Blue&Me interface systems, as well as Ford for its Sync system. Read More

  • Ford to launch SYNC in Europe by 2010, Asia Pacific and Australia to follow

    Ford to launch SYNC in Europe by 2010, Asia Pacific and Australia to follow January 8th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, January 8th, 2009 James Martinez 0 Comments

    Ford to launch SYNC in Europe by 2010, Asia Pacific and Australia to follow Late yesterday Ford revealed its latest-generation SYNC in-car connectivity system, which for 2009 is updated with a new personalized Traffic, Directions and Information system. The new services will be available on nearly all 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models, however, their availability will be limited to the North American market.

    Today, at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show taking place in Las Vegas, Ford announced that SYNC will go global in 2010. It will first be launched in Europe and then it should migrate to the Asia Pacific and Australian markets.

    To deliver the service, Ford will be working closely with a number of... Late yesterday Ford revealed its latest-generation SYNC in-car connectivity system, which for 2009 is updated with a new personalized Traffic, Directions and Information system. The new services will be available on nearly all 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models, however, their availability will be limited to the North American market. Today, at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show taking place in Las Vegas, Ford announced that SYNC will go global in 2010. It will first be launched in Europe and then it should migrate to the Asia Pacific and Australian markets. To deliver the service, Ford will be working closely with a number of technology companies, including Microsoft, INRIX, TeleNav, Tellme, M/A-COM and Airbiquity. One of the key benefits of Ford’s SYNC is that it is built around an open system that accepts hardware, software products and applications. Ford has no interest in developing its own proprietary system. In addition, the SYNC system is upgradeable. Customers can add new features and applications by using simple download features. Plus, all the new features come without a monthly service fee for three years. Ford also used the Las Vegas event to offer a glimpse into the future with a preview demonstration of its next-generation SYNC system. The technology is still in development but a video preview shows a few of the elements we will soon be able to access in Ford cars. These include configurable controls and the use of an electronic personal assistant, or “avatar,” named Eva.Ford previews next-generation SYNC Read More

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