Microsoft Releases Windows Automotive 5.0

HostReview.com
Tuesday, July 12, 2005; 01:53 PM

Today at the Microsoft® Windows® Automotive Conference 2005 at the Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan, Microsoft Corp.’s Automotive Business Unit announced the release of Windows Automotive 5.0, the latest version of its automotive-grade software platform designed specifically for the custom development of advanced in-vehicle solutions including navigation, infotainment and communication systems.

“As automotive and mobile device technologies continue to converge, our commitment to delivering technology that provides consumers with seamless communication, information and digital entertainment experiences extends to the car,” said Todd Warren, corporate vice president of the Devices, Services and eXperience group at Microsoft.

Windows Automotive 5.0 provides the automotive industry with a powerful, flexible software platform to create an array of cutting-edge in-vehicle solutions. Building on previous versions, new features such as the Automotive User Interface Toolkit (AUITK) and expanded virtual memory support enable the creation of complex 3-D graphics and advanced navigation displays, while enhanced power management and faster cold-boot times improve performance.

Since its initial release in 1998, Windows Automotive has been embraced by developers, suppliers and original equipment manufacturers worldwide.

The latest version of the software platform builds on this success, delivering the tools designed to help expedite the development of reliable and robust in-vehicle scenarios, all at lower cost to the automotive industry.

Windows Automotive 5.0 was co-developed by Microsoft teams in Redmond, Wash., and Tokyo in an effort to meet the differing needs of automotive industry worldwide.

“Microsoft’s Windows Automotive software platform provides our developers with essential building blocks for creating our in-vehicle technology,” said Satoshi Soma, general manager of AVNC Product Development at Alpine Electronics Inc.

Since 1995, Microsoft’s Automotive Business Unit has worked collaboratively with the auto industry to deliver reliable, flexible technology designed for advanced in-car navigation, communication and infotainment systems.

Microsoft has been working with the automotive industry for more than a decade to provide technology solutions for the entire automotive ecosystem.