Microsoft has announced the availability of Windows Embedded Automotive 7 to select car makers and suppliers within the automotive industry. Designed to support the development of new infotainment systems, the platform provides integrated services for communication, entertainment, navigation, and information for the mass market.
Key features include speech commands, touch input, hands-free Bluetooth phone communications, advanced dashboard systems for access to music, maps, third party apps and navigation, as well as streamlined connectivity with other devices.
The Silverlight for Windows Embedded is claimed to allow car makers the ability to quickly create rich device UIs with engaging 2 and 3D graphics by utilising a familiar Microsoft technology and taking advantage of a large ecosystem of Silverlight designers. Experiences built in Silverlight for Windows Embedded can be refined rapidly on the desktop and deployed unchanged to the target device.
The Microsoft Tellme speech engine technology claims to power simpler, more direct, and hands-free system commands allowing the entire interface to be driven through speech. In addition, new support for SMS "reply by voice" allows text message replies to be constructed by speech. The platform also supports eight languages including U.S. English, U.K. English, German, Mexican Spanish, Continental Spanish, Canadian French, Continental French and Korean.
Next-generation automotive system tools for developers claim to support the stable integration of advanced, high-performance third party systems, and include improved test modules with easy-to-use product engineering guidelines to help simplify the development process, increase reliability and reduce the time to market.
