Microsoft will own your dashboard (redux)

Microsoft has been showing off a prototype for a new car module at the Detroit Auto Show this week. Dubbed the "TBox", the unit acts as a hardware connection between your car's audio and navigation systems and your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone. Very much like Intel's Connected Car PC (which they announced way back in 1998), the software giant hopes it will become the interface standard for autos. Before you start pondering what a Blue Screen of Death would be like at 80 mph, the prototype stresses voice navigation and text-to-voice capabilities for managing your Outlook appointments. Another added benefit they are touting is the ability to store and transmit diagnostic data from your car, which could pave the way for some serious under the hood hacking.