Microsoft Blue&Me in-car computing coming to US via Ford in 2007

Remember Microsoft's Blue&Me project with Fiat, the one that equipped select models with an in-car computer system with all kinds of connectivity functionality? Well, we've learned from a source close to Microsoft's car-computer project that Microsoft and Ford are planning to announce the US availability of the system in 2007, no doubt with coinciding announcements at CES and the NAIAS (aka Detroit auto show). We don't yet have all the details nailed down, but the system (currently dubbed Blue&Me, although we can't confirm that will be the US market name) will have cross-platform smartphone support (i.e. not just Windows Mobile) with Bluetooth, SAP (i.e. SIM Access Porfile for contacts downloads, voice dialing, etc.), and all the fixins. No word yet on whether it'll support Sideshow, all the fun TBox stuff like GPS and car diags, or be available for non-Ford and/or aftermarket installs, but we'll all know more come CES.

[tchiseen @ Dec 20th 2006 9:36AM]

oh no! it's bad enough poorly made M$ products make your computer crash, now they're going to make your (also poorly made) car crash as well. It's the true match made in hell. The two companies who epitomize shoddy engineering, both computer and automobile, lay waste to consumer technology. Be warned.

[Matt B @ Dec 20th 2006 9:38AM]

What!! No tape deck!!!!!

[CT @ Dec 20th 2006 9:50AM]

How am I going to listen to my Creedence?

[GioNYC @ Dec 20th 2006 9:38AM]

Looks like a PDA on the dashboard. How the hell can u drive and work on that thing at the same time?

[tchiseen @ Dec 20th 2006 9:41AM]

a tape deck prolly has more functionality then this thing

[Dave95 @ Dec 20th 2006 10:04AM]

Translation - Blue Screen of Death & Me

sorry had to be said

[Bad Beaver @ Dec 20th 2006 10:06AM]

NO! How am I ever going to buy a new Alfa with that?! Hopefully one can opt not to have it. I want no M$ technology anywhere near areas that concern my personal saftey. Especially when they have the "blue" built right into the name.

[John Allen @ Dec 20th 2006 10:07AM]

Warning: Your brakes have stopped responding because Windows cannot find the specified dll file. C:\Windows\System32\ford\brakes.dll

If you continue to recieve this message please notify your vehicle administrator.

Click Ok to continue. Click cancel to debug.

[jkrinn @ Dec 20th 2006 10:07AM]

Hmmm...I wonder if it will work with the Zune wireless.

[Mrfreezie @ Dec 20th 2006 10:07AM]

WHY would any self respecting company pair with Ford? Ford has a horrible public appearance, and for people to see Microsoft next to ford, they then in their minds consider Ford and Microsoft the same.

[John Doe @ Dec 20th 2006 10:32AM]

No. Absolutely NOT. I will and DO actively go out of my way to avoid MS products in my car. While my desktop is Windows. My PDA is Windows, and my Phone is Windows I do NOT in any way, shape, or form want a MS OS in my car. While it won't dick with the critical car components I do NOT want to reboot my GPS/entertainment system even if it only is once a month. Windows Mobile as good as it is still requires a reboot to clear the webs occasionally. The absolutely LAST thing I want to do is jump in my car, turn it on, and find that the GPS is acting funky so I need t reset Windows. When I get in my car I want it to "just work". Windows isn't just work. It may offer you a slew of wonderful features but the trade-off is rock solid stability. Also using a Windows OS brings up the more likely possibility of something getting hacked.
Like it or not hackers/crackers know Windows. Give me a proprietary, written from the ground up OS that is designed for a very strict set of features and purposes. Such OS's are the most secure, most stable on the market.

[Ben @ Dec 20th 2006 11:01AM]

I don't know about you but I don't leave my car running for more then a hour or two at a time ... the longest being 7 hours.

I don't think rebooting will be a issue

[Chris @ Dec 20th 2006 1:28PM]

How do you know that you car isn't already running on Microsoft software? Microsoft already has software in thousands of vehicles controlling the engine, ABS, etc.

[Sam Browne @ Dec 20th 2006 10:43AM]

I have a Nokia Smart Phone and a Toyota Bluetooth car kit in my company RAV 4.

Does pretty much most of the things mentioned here.

What are the other benefits? Really, I mean if there is no GPS an it's just to connect to your phone, why bother getting a M$ version?



It has 5 buttons. Vol up, Vol down, Hang up, redial, and one button which starts the voice activated system. After hitting the main button everything is voice driven. The Toyota kit has no screen at all which strikes me as a better idea as it is much less distracting while driving.

Isn't this really a glorified over complicated "in-car kit" made out to be something cleverer than it is?

The "Are you sure you wish to deploy the airbag?" type messages are not something I would consider useful either.

[mattie @ Dec 20th 2006 11:15AM]

blue me in car? why not... everyone loves road head

[RickDom12 @ Dec 20th 2006 11:29AM]

This is not going to run your car. Funny as it would be. There is a completely separate ECU that runs the engine, one for the transmission, one for the ABS, etc. This is nothing more than a fancy head unit.

[Rick Lyon @ Dec 20th 2006 11:34AM]

So, this is another reason not to buy Ford? Blue screens of death?
Do you have to turn our car off on the highway to reboot it?
You get a virus and the windshield wipers turn on when you want the AC?
Does it take 5 minutes to turn the car off?
5 minutes to turn the car on?
Do you need to visit the Ford dealer every month for updates?

[TIMMAH! @ Dec 20th 2006 11:51AM]

Wow a car running SAP! What a backward step in UI design... oh... "SIM Access Profile"... nevermind...

[The Jeremy @ Dec 20th 2006 12:14PM]

This is a segment Apple should target. Especially since they've been so successful with getting iPod hookups included with just about every single car brand. If they don't jump into this segment formally, Microsoft could decouple them and the iPod through deals like this. What a shame, since OS X handles Bluetooth devices better than Windows (well, at least XP, since I'm not a Vista beta user).

[Shunnabunich @ Dec 20th 2006 12:44PM]

I think OS X is kinda too bulky to be appropriate for an in-car system. Let's perhaps wait and see how their mobile version of the OS turns out; that may fit better, or it may not, who knows. I'd say Linux is a better choice, but if the owner EVER had a problem with that they'd be just as screwed as if their car was running Windows in the first place.

[larry Friedman @ Dec 20th 2006 1:27PM]

Anyone really want to admit that "Microsoft blue me in my car"?

[Inspector Gadget @ Dec 20th 2006 1:31PM]

Can it play MP3's off my cell phone?

[dan @ Dec 20th 2006 4:10PM]

Is Engadget hinting at Ford's impending takeover of Alpha Romeo? (That's a Alpha interior photo in an article about Ford.)

[G. Snyder @ Dec 20th 2006 4:54PM]

Most of you are idiots. As Chris has mentioned, Microsoft already has an automotive division that makes software for car components. Many of you drive cars today that run critical systems through MS software.

As far as the Ford bashing...maybe I cannot expect much from the gadget blog trolls, but Ford is either the owner or has a controlling interest in: Aston Martin, Land Rover, Volvo, Jaguar, Lincoln, Mercury, and Mazda (just to name a few) - not to mention a vastly different operation in Europe. Who knows where this will make headway first.

[applesucksLeo @ Dec 20th 2006 5:35PM]

Both Ford and GM offer a vastly different lineup in Europe;cars that are technology-packed and cool looking. Many different engine choices with turbo- diesels that get about 50-60 mpg.Why do we get screwed over here when the parent company is American? Hello Detroit...anyone listening ???

[Graham @ Dec 21st 2006 3:44PM]

man there is this joke where the ford and Microsoft guy are in a meeting and microsoft says "how about we team up and put our computers in your cars,It owuld boost sales for both of us" the CEO of ford quickly replies, "no thankyou, I dont think people want a car that crashes every five minutes"
Id never think Id see this joke actually become true. Man,God help up all

[Mitch @ Dec 21st 2006 5:53PM]

Enough of the jokes about how crappy m$ and ford are. Isn't it cool that they are being inovative? I put a computer in my car and it was definately worth all of the work. Check out mp3car.com, there are a lot of people with car computers, it just sucks that mine wont be as unique anymore.

[Mark @ Dec 22nd 2006 1:33PM]

i was hoping Fiat wouldn't put Blue&Me in luxury brands like Alfa Romeo... at least it isnt on the standard option list (yet)

[AndrewG @ Dec 26th 2006 5:25AM]

Hay guyz! Is this teh bandwagon? Can I get on too? Ford sux, lolz. So dos M$!


Seriously, anyone saying how much is sucks is an idiot. Nobody said they would put Windows on it. And if your still getting BSODs after Windows ME, then you seriously have to buy some better hardware(i.e. NOT 600w power supplies for $20) or stop downloading adware and trojans with Grokster, Kazaa, Bearshare, or whatever crap like that you use.

Plus, nobody can 'hack' your system any more than the other car receivers or media centers if it's not wireless you turds. If your concerned about them hacking the cell signal or bluetooth then why do you have a newer phone that probably uses that every day.

MS made the Xbox dashboard and stuff right? Do you really think this would be any more complicated than that? They don't become completely worthless based on some problems with their older software and their moronic users.

[evo @ Dec 26th 2006 7:33PM]

It will be the death of Ford, the new Studebaker! MS is way bulkier than any os out there and so inovative that vista is a copy of the mac of 3 years ago. Ford has leveraged itself to the hilt so both companies deserve each other. Lets see where either company is in 10 years. Dodo?

[Bash @ Dec 27th 2006 2:58PM]

Do you want to bring that BSOD that you enjoy at home in the car? Do you love the Tuesday updates?
Well now you can!
Microsoft and Ford have partnered up to bring up a product innovating the worst of both worlds.
"I couldn't believe it! The BSOD I have come to know and love is now on the road, Thanks Ford and Microsoft!"
"Golly day, Tuesday updates have been the best thing in my life. I have missed 5 business meetings, lost 3 jobs, and can't find my wife anymore. Thanks Ford and Microsoft."

*Testimonials could be faked.

[TheManofSteel @ Dec 29th 2006 2:48PM]

Some of the previous posters are incredibly stupid. Do you honestly think Blue&Me is going to have anything to do with PCM or ECM functions? If you believe this, I have this bridge I would like to sell...