Windows Embedded Automotive

Windows Embedded Automotive

Company / developer	Microsoft
OS family	Windows Embedded
Source model	Closed source
Initial release	December 4, 1998
Latest stable release	7 / October 19, 2010
License	Microsoft EULA
Official website	http://www.microsoft.com/auto

Windows Embedded Automotive (also previously known as Microsoft Auto, Windows CE for Automotive, Windows Automotive, and Windows Mobile for Automotive) is an embedded operating system based on Windows CE for use on computer systems in automobiles. The operating system is developed by Microsoft through the Microsoft Automotive Business Unit that formed in August 1995. The first automotive product built by Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit debuted on December 4, 1998 as the AutoPC, and also includes Ford Sync and Blue&Me. Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit has built both the software platforms used for automotive devices as well as the devices themselves. The current focus is on the software platforms and includes two products, Microsoft Auto and Windows Automotive.

History

The Windows Embedded Automotive operating system was originally shipped with the AutoPC that was jointly-developed by Microsoft and Clarion. The system was released in December 1998, and referred to the operating system itself as "Auto PC".^[1] Microsoft's Auto PC platform was based on Windows CE 2.0, and had been announced in January of that year.^[2]

On October 16, 2000, Microsoft officially announced the next version of the platform.^[3][4] This version of the operating system was renamed to "Windows CE for Automotive" and had new applications preinstalled like the Microsoft Mobile Explorer.^[5]

On October 21, 2002, Microsoft announced that the platform would be renamed to "Windows Automotive".^[6] The version added support for development using the .NET Compact Framework.

With the release of Ford Sync, Microsoft renamed the platform from "Windows Mobile for Automotive" to "Microsoft Auto".^[7]

Microsoft again renamed the operating system as "Windows Embedded Automotive", and updated its version to 7 on October 19, 2010.^[8]. This is the latest in MS Auto category, and is based on the Windows 7 platform.^[9]

References

1. ^ "Drivers Keep Hands on Wheel, Eyes on Road, as Auto PC Provides Easy Access to Information and Entertainment". Microsoft. 1998-12-04. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/1998/12-4autopc.mspx. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
2. ^ "Microsoft Pioneers Interactive Speech Technology". Microsoft. 1998-01-08. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1998/Jan98/AutoPCpr.mspx. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
3. ^ "New Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive - Reliable, Flexible and Connected". Microsoft. 2000-10-16. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2000/Oct00/WindowsPR.mspx. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
4. ^ Thurrott, Paul (2000-09-19). "Japanese carmakers sign on to Windows CE". Windows IT Pro. http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/19473/japanese-carmakers-sign-on-to-windows-ce.html. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
5. ^ "Microsoft Windows CE for Automotive 3.5 Advances In-Car Computing" (Press release). Mircosoft. 5 December 2001. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2001/Dec01/12-05WCEUSApr.mspx. Retrieved 24 April 2011. 
6. ^ "Microsoft renames embedded automotive OS". Windows For Devices. 2002-10-21. http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS8826372538.html. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
7. ^ "Major automaker adopts Microsoft Auto". Windows For Devices. 2008-05-06. http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS5695651926.html. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
8. ^ "Microsoft's new automotive OS hits the road". Windows For Devices. 2010-10-19. http://www.windowsfordevices.com/c/a/News/Microsoft-Windows-Embedded-Automotive-7/. Retrieved 2011-08-26. 
9. ^ "Processor Support". Windows Embedded Automotive for Developers. 2011-08-26. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/develop/windows-embedded-automotive-for-developers.aspx. Retrieved 2011-08-26. 

External links

• Windows Embedded Automotive official website