The problem with most voice-recognition systems in modern cars is the stilted, unnatural commands required to execute even the simplest functions. Cadillac is supposedly working on bringing more natural voice commands to market with CUE, but Pioneer and its new Zypr voice-to-cloud platform aims to take it a step further.

Utilizing a tethered smartphone or embedded modem, the new system listens and acts on commands based on conversational direction. Say, “Play some music” and Zypr responses with “Which artist?” or “Which source?” Tell the system “I’m in the mood for Thai” and it will list off the nearest restaurants, provide Yelp ratings and allow you to get directions and email the address to your friends. Facebook and Google integration is also part of the package, and since it’s all handled in the cloud, the expansion of sources and options is infinite. And Zypr won’t just be limited to cars.

Pioneer wants the technology to find its way into every consumer electronics device on the market (for obvious licensing reasons), and with Apple’s Siri functionality on the iPhone 4S putting a new emphasis on natural speech recognition, consumers will be demanding similar tech in almost everything they own within the next few years.

Source: Pioneer

Audiovox, partnering with Qualcomm, have launched a mobile television product called FLO TV.  Installed in any vehicle with an existing mobile entertainment system (must have auxiliary A/V input), the FLO TV device allows passenges to enjoy a wide variety of programming while on the road.

For as little as $10/month (plans vary, check with www.flotv.com for more info), a mix of live, simulcast and time-shifted broadcasts are available.  FLO TV is a terrestrial-based system, not satellite, so coverage is not coast-to-coast. However, all major metropolitan areas are covered, as well as most commonly traveled highways.

Audiovox has chosen a selected group of retailers to bring the product to market.  Professional installation is required.  FLO TV can be added to an existing system, or installed as a part of a new mobile entertainment system. The maximum monitor size for proper resolution is 10.4″, so it will work perfectly on all headrest monitors and most overheads.

The system includes the FLO TV receiver, an unobtrusive exterior antenna and two remote controls. One of the remote controls is hard-wired to the receiver, so if the wireless remote is lost or damaged the system can still be operated.  That’s smart thinking when many of the users will be children. More information can be found at www.flotv.com.

What started off as a limited edition car ended up as 1/1 in the world! All the LP650-4 cars came one way from Lamborghini with Grigio Telesto grey exterior paint and Arancio Leonis orange highlights. The owner of this car wanted the car matte black with gloss black highlights. This is how the transformation to become an AE Edition car began.

The car was transported by NTT (Norwalk Tow & Transport) to Avio Coach Craft to have the paint work done. The car was striped down to the metal and the complete interior was removed so that a proper complete paint make over could be achieved.

After the paint was completed the car was transported again by NTT to Giovanna Wheels to have the custom made 19” GFG 3-piece forged Narkid wheels and Pirelli tires installed. The wheels were painted with a gloss black outer lip, matte black center and orange highlights to perfectly match the brake calipers. Pirelli P-Zero 245/30/19 front and 355/25/19 rear tires were used to insure a safe and overall perfect fitment for this car.

From Giovanna NTT transported the car to Al & Eds Autosound in West Hollywood, CA for a custom one of a kind audiophile sound system. The factory speakers were replaced with Focal Utopia KIT 7 component 3-way speakers. These are the most expensive and best sounding speakers in the world! Keeping with the orange interior highlight theme we did not use the provided Focal speaker grilles but rather created new ones from orange carbon fiber and plexi glass.

To Read the full article go to Al & Eds West Hollywood Store Web Site

It’s a toss-up when trying to figure out what’s more stupid, joyriding employees or a Porsche owner who thinks Circuit City is the best place to perform an audio installation on a 911 Turbo. Luke Liang left his 2008 911 Turbo at the Bridgewater, New Jersey Circuit City store for audio system work, but seeing the Weissach-crested key hanging from a hook was too much for store employee Brian Murphy, who ignored store policy and took the Porsche for a spin. The joyride didn’t last long, coming to a halt in the parking lot after Murphy nailed a curb.

Liang sued the store, claiming the stunt driving escapade destroyed a wheel and tire, broke suspension parts, and resulted in scratches. The damage has also dinged the value of his 997 by $50,000, Liang says. It’s unclear what’s going to happen now that Circuit City has gone belly up and the store’s closed, but we’re guessing that Liang’s learned the hard way that it’s a bad idea to leave a car worth $185,000 with a pack of wild audio rats.

Source Autoblog

Pioneer is introducing navigation systems that will avoid the high price of gas by directing drivers to less expensive stations – the brand new Pioneer AVIC-F series.

With navigation systems that not only help you find the shortest route to your destination, but also gives you updated traffic information from MSN direct, the AVIC F-series can help you pinpoint and redirect around the stop-and-go traffic that burns through gas.

And when you are running low on gas, you can use MSN® Direct to find the nearest gas stations so that don’t waste gas searching for the nearest fill-up spot.

But that’s not all. The AVIC-F series also shows you gas prices at nearby stations. The most valuable feature for drivers looking to save on gas, the AVIC-F series displays gas price information from MSN® Direct so you can compare prices and fill up for less.

The NavGate AVIC-F900BT will guide you, enable you to control and use your phone hands-free, produces supreme sound and with USB and SD connections, is extremely versatile.

The system can play multiple audio and video formats and can be linked to your PC, which, in harness with our freely downloadable software, enables you to create and add your own points of interest to the unit’s maps.

The NavGate AVIC-F900BT will be available in spring 2008.

Full-scale, pinpoint accurate navigation

The ‘face’ of the AVIC-F900BT is a high-quality 5.8-inch WVGA touch screen that provides ’second nature’ command of the extensive features list.

Navigation capabilities include:

• the pre-installation mapping on the 2GB fast-response flash memory,
• the display of maps in stunning high-resolution relief with elevation and 3D detailing,
• voice guidance that’s available in 20 languages (as are all menus),
• TMC bulletins and
• Text-to-Speech (TTS) functionality to provide more informative route guidance (add list).
• Smart technologies also ensure accurate positioning in areas where GPS coverage is compromised.

Full-scale entertainment

Building on its comprehensive navigation features, the NavGate AVIC-F900BT applies its powerful processor to deliver an extensive menu of multimedia and communications options.

The built-in DVD player is always available – even while navigating – to enjoy DVDs and CDs containing Divx, MP3 and WMA content.

Versatile connectivity also means you can watch compressed video such as MPEG 4 on the screen (from SD cards and USB devices), and enjoy audio and video playback from (and control of) iPods.

All audio is powered with exceptional quality through our highly regarded 4X50 MOSFET amplifier and delivered through your car speakers.

The extensive connectivity even supports an optional reversing camera to enhance parking and safeguard pedestrians.

Full-scale, hands-free communication

Improving journey safety is also a key feature of the system’s Parrot Bluetooth® phone management technology.

Your phone will automatically register with the NavGate AVIC-F900BT which can store, manage and call up to 300 contacts from three different phones (a privacy feature ensures that only the driver’s phone contacts are displayed). Calls can be made hands-free with conversations clearly relayed through your car’s speakers.

Full-scale flexibility and customisation

As well as accessing your phone contacts and enjoying custom playlists, the system can be further tailored to your requirements through NavGate Feeds, a downloadable PC application. In short, NavGate Feeds allows you to create and add your own points of interest to the system.

Virtually any feature such as camping grounds, ski resorts, stadiums or tourist destinations can be created as points of interest (POI) or preferred destinations.

You simply make a note of a location’s address details in a CSV format file and NavGate Feeds searches for them via a web search, converting the data so it can be read by the NavGate AVIC-F900BT.

The information is loaded via an SD card or USB stick. The smart easy application ensures it’s simple to create and be guided to preferred destinations.

It’s also useful for businesses; mobile teams can be handed a list of site or customer visits for their day that are immediately downloaded onto the NavGate AVIC-F900BT for it to efficiently manage route planning.

Further customisation is available through options that include altering the welcome screen, amending the colour of maps and button illumination and recording journey data.

Also available is the NavGate AVIC-F700BT, featuring a CD player instead of DVD, that similarly provides comprehensive all-in-one navigation, AV entertainment and communications. Both units are easily and neatly integrated with vehicles that have 2-DIN radio slots; only the touch screen is visible.

Source http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/flash/products/news_Avicf900.html

The guys at Al & Ed’s Autosound have a weekly segment on the local news show Whipnotic called “I Want That”, and we’re going to be featuring the weekly segments here on SoundDomain for your viewing pleasure. In this episode “Mr. Mobile” discusses the Pioneer AVIC-D3x system installed in Smart FourTwo. The D3x is pretty much an all-in-one in-dash solution, providing GPS navigation, DVD, iPod, and Bluetooth in one easy-to-use, great-looking package. This video is a few weeks old, but stay tuned for this week’s episode or hop over to Whipnotic to check it out for yourself!

Follow the jump to check out the Pioneer AVIC-D3x.

The new GPS unit called AVIC-F500BT, or AVIC LINC is an in-dash unit that sports many competitive features.

Pioneer says its newest GPS unit, the memorably-named AVIC-F500BT (fondly called the AVIC LINC by its creators), “changes the face of navigation.”

Foremost, it’s an in-dash GPS device bringing everything you expect from a high-end direction-finder. In addition to those standard features, the AVIC-F500BT brags of 1.2 million points of interest, has an SD slot for updating your system’s navigational information and uses MSN traffic, weather and gas price information.

LINC is an acronym for Lifestyle Innovation Network Console, and it’s what makes the F500BT more interesting than most GPS boxes. Using Pioneer’s “VoiceBox Conversational Voice Search Platform,” basically an advanced voice recognition system, you can totally control your iPod or other MP3 players as well as your Bluetooth-connected phone.

Much like Ford’s SYNC, Pioneer’s LINC lets you ask your system for a song or your phone to dial a number.

Unlike Ford’s SYNC, LINC is compatible with most OEM systems and aftermarket head units according to Pioneer.

There wasn’t a chance to try out the system at Pioneer’s Sunday morning press conference, but we hope to get our hands on one later in the week. At the press conference, Pioneer reiterated its objective to be a top-end automotive aftermarket supplier. Larry Rougas, Pioneer mobile business group’s VP of marketing, said, “We are car people. We are all about pulse rates, not bit rates.”

PIONEER CHANGES THE FACE OF NAVIGATION WITH NEW HYBRID SYSTEM AND
ADVANCED VOICE RECOGNITION FOR COMPLETE CONTROL OF IPOD AND
BLUETOOTH DEVICES
Pioneer AVIC-F500BT Combines Power of In-Dash Navigation with
the Convenience of a Portable Device

LAS VEGAS – CES 2008 – (January 6, 2008) – Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today marked another milestone in navigation history with the launch of its AVIC-F500BT, the first hybrid navigation system that brings the power of an in-dash device with the convenience of a portable system. Designed to integrate with virtually any factory audio system, the AVIC-F500BT provides the opportunity for consumers to add unparalleled navigation features and extended entertainment capabilities without modifying existing car stereos. Furthermore, the AVIC-F500BT will offer advanced voice technology for control of Apple iPod® music players and Bluetooth® enabled cellular phones.

“The AVIC-F500BT gives consumers the opportunity to merge their lifestyle products and habits into their cars, regardless of the type of vehicle they drive,” said Larry Rougas, vice president of marketing and product planning for the mobile business group at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “It aggregates compatible portable personal devices — whether it’s an iPod, an MP3 player or Bluetooth cell phone and links them all together without having to completely change out the car’s entire factory audio system. And with VoiceBox technology, which goes beyond fixed voice commands, the use of these devices in the car is more convenient.”

Media Center
The AVIC-F500BT can operate as both a navigation device and as a media center for entertainment. Through an auxiliary audio input in a factory audio system or using the available Pioneer installation module, the system becomes an aggregator and “gateway” for personal audio and communication devices. Built-in speakers and a rechargeable battery are also provided for use of the system while on the go.

The AVIC-F500BT significantly enhances the audio experience in the car with its ability to accept portable devices with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection and/or music-filled SD memory cards. A slot for both are available in the body of the unit which allows for quick connections of compatible MP3 or iPod music players as well as SD memory cards containing MP3 and Windows Media Audio (WMA) music data. When a device is plugged in, the AVIC-F500BT recognizes it as a source and controls it through its touch panel display and/or by voice control.

Freedom of Speech
The AVIC-F500BT is the first aftermarket product in the industry to include the VoiceBox Conversational Voice Search PlatformTM, which allows users to control their Apple iPod players and Bluetooth enabled cell phones by voice. VoiceBox’s uniqueness lies in three areas: “conversational commands,” “intent recognition,” and the ability to handle noisy situations such as ambient vehicle noise and passenger conversations.

The system accepts different elements of spoken commands. The conversational element is its ability to analyze normal and varying phrases such as “I want to hear the artist U2″ or “play U2″ and the unit’s capability to play back songs by the specified artist. Additional variables for iPod playback include artist name, album name, playlist name and music genre. Another element of “conversational” is in situations where the user “stumbles” while saying their command such as, “Play, um, um let’s see the album Joshua Tree.” The unit has the capacity to recognize the command from the phrase, eliminating the extra words so that it can perform the desired function.

Intent recognition comes to life with hands-free applications. In most applications of voice recognition, consumers must use fixed and specific commands such as “Call Sandy Jones home” or “Call Sandy Jones mobile.” With intent recognition, a user can simply say, “Call Sandy Jones” and the unit will prompt the user for additional information by responding, “I have 2 numbers for Sandy Jones. Home and Mobile. Which would you like to call?”

Navigate
As powerful as an in-dash navigation system, the AVIC-F500BT is complete with mapping data from Tele Atlas for the entire United States, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii. The 5.8-inch high-resolution WVGA screen shows mapping details with two view modes: overhead and moveable 3D. When a destination is input via touch screen, easy to follow step-by-step route guidance is displayed, followed by helpful audio prompts through the speakers in the car. The system also employs a Text-to-Speech
(TTS) engine to further enhance its assistance capabilities by pronouncing street names. For example, the unit instructs the driver ahead by announcing the command and name of the street, i.e., “turn right on Remington Street,” instead of simply prompting, “turn right ahead.”

The system also includes a massive database for points of interest (POI), helping users quickly find popular destinations such as gas stations, ATMs, hotels and restaurants that can be searched either near a current location, or close to a specified destination. Categories of POIs can be overlaid onto the map for quick identification further enhancing the navigation experience.

A unique feature of the system is the ability for users to update and add POI information via the SD card slot. Using the AVIC-F500BT PC Application from Pioneer, users can create and store new points of interests onto an SD memory card which the system can reference. This is especially helpful when users want to add their personalized POIs or load available information from the Internet.

Built-in Technology
The AVIC-F500BT comes equipped with two additional key technologies: built-in Bluetooth for hands free calling, and MSN Direct services for traffic and data services. With Bluetooth becoming the standard in the cell phone industry, the AVIC-F500BT allows consumers to connect compatible cell phones to the device and utilize the vehicle (and/or built-in) speakers and the provided microphone to make and receive calls. When a call is received, the system automatically mutes audio and displays caller information on its large LCD touch panel display.

For further convenience in navigation, traffic information provided by MSN Direct is available with a paid subscription. The AVIC-F500BT displays traffic information, weather forecasts, gas prices and movie times for up to 100 cities across the United States and Canada. At a glance, users can see updated road conditions on their local freeways. The first three months of the MSN Direct service are offered for free with the purchase of the AVIC-F500BT system.

The AVIC-F500BT resides in a 7″ X 4″ X .75″ chassis and utilizes a large high resolution WVGA 5.8-inch touch panel display. The large screen generates an easy to view map while its enhanced graphic user interface (GUI) makes it effortless for users to control and manage the system.

Furthermore, for safety and convenience, the AVIC-F500BT is equipped with a camera input and back-up trigger. The system automatically displays images from a separately-purchased camera, when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. This feature is extremely useful when used in large automobiles, such as SUVs, where it can be more difficult to see what is behind the vehicle.

The AVIC-F500BT will be available in Spring 2008.

Pioneer’s Mobile Entertainment Division is known for offering the kind of in-car products that make driving more enjoyable by offering high quality audio and video, advanced connectivity and ease-of-use. Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including audio video, navigation and satellite radio, while maintaining its strong heritage in products for car audio enthusiasts and sound competitors. The company markets its products under the Pioneer and Premier brand names. When purchased from an authorized dealer, consumers receive a limited warranty for one year with Pioneer products and two years for Premier electronic products.

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., and its U.S. Web address is www.pioneerelectronics.com. Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, is a leader in optical disc technology and a preeminent manufacturer of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets. The company focuses on four core business domains including Blu-ray Disc and DVD, display technologies, navigation and Digital Network
Entertainment.

Aston Martin signed a deal with Danish electronics company Bang & Olsen for the upcoming Rapide.

Yesterday was a big news day for Aston Martin. The small, independent automaker with a line-up based on just two models opened its new design center, unveiled the V12 Vantage RS, confirmed that the DBS would continue as Bond’s ride in the next 007 movie, and announced a new partnership with Bang & Olufsen.

As a result of the new deal, the premium Danish electronics company will supply the British sportscar maker with special audio systems for its upcoming models. Expecting a virtual symphony to be recreated in the upcoming Rapide, then, would be a safe bet.

B&O, which bears no relation to the Atlantic City railroad station on your Monopoly board, already has a similar relationship with Audi, and was expected to announce a partnership with another automaker sometime soon. In anticipation, the company’s stock rose over the course of several days, but fell again following the announcement that the deal was struck with Aston Martin and not with a larger manufacturer.

Good for Aston then, less so for Olufsen.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

]]> http://www.car411.com/aston-martin-signs-deal-with-bang-olufsen/feed/ 0 http://www.car411.com/sirius-xm-merger-approved-by-justice-department/ http://www.car411.com/sirius-xm-merger-approved-by-justice-department/#comments Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:58:00 +0000 gmashal http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/sirius-xm-merger-approved-by-justice-department/
The Justice Department approved the satellite radio merge between Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio. On February 19th, 2007, rival satellite radio providers Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio announced a merger worth $5 billion. It was approved by shareholders last November, but many weren’t confident the Justic Department would approve the merger of [...]]]>

The Justice Department approved the satellite radio merge between Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio.

On February 19th, 2007, rival satellite radio providers Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio announced a merger worth $5 billion. It was approved by shareholders last November, but many weren’t confident the Justic Department would approve the merger of satellite radio’s only two providers. Today it has done just that, removing one of the last obstacles to the holy union of these two companies. The feds’ main justification for its approval is that the companies compete as much with other forms of radio (terrestial, HD, etc.) and entertainment as they do with each other, therefore, consumers will likely not be harmed satellite radio will still face stiff competition. If satellite radio is to survive the onslaught of in-car entertainment options, which will soon include the web itself, this merger is a must. Howard Stern (Sirisu), meet Oprah (XM).

[Source: Engadget]

It was only a month ago when we reported that Microsoft had taken Ford’s SYNC to the next level. It was good news for Ford, and good news to consumers who apparently like the award-winning hands-free entertainment and communication system. SYNC was selling faster than Hanna Montana tickets at a middle school box office, even with $395 price tag.

Ford isn’t the only automaker using the Windows CE 6.0 based Microsoft Auto technology. Before Ford inked their deal, Microsoft had licensed the technology to the Italian automaker Fiat SpA. Now, as Ford’s exclusive U.S. rights to the technology are set to end later this year, Microsoft is eager to bring other automakers on board. It shouldn’t be a tough sell, as consumers are embracing technology-laden vehicles, and Ford’s SYNC has proven to help sell cars.

[Source: Freep]

]]> http://www.car411.com/microsoft-ready-to-expand-beyond-ford-sync/feed/ 0 http://www.car411.com/bentleys-new-1100-watt-sound-system-courtesy-of-naim/ http://www.car411.com/bentleys-new-1100-watt-sound-system-courtesy-of-naim/#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:06:00 +0000 gmashal http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/20/bentleys-new-1100-watt-sound-system-courtesy-of-naim/
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Dropping yet another hint that ultra-luxury automobile buyers really do listen to Kanye West when their windows are rolled up, Bentley Motors announced an exclusive partnership with high-end British audio manufacturer Naim to put the world’s most powerful in-car production amplifier into their full model lineup.

The bragging rights center around an 1100-watt amplifier driving up to 15 speakers (depending on the model). Cutting-edge technology on each system includes Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Dynamic Equalization to offer passengers an ‘as-live’ in-car audio experience. To adapt the system to each particular Bentley model, Naim analyzed each car and then designed a unique speaker drive unit for it. According to Bentley, the painstaking measures taken to match the acoustics to the particular vehicle are so effective that even with rapper Kanye West belting out tunes at full system power, only a low level of sound can be heard from outside the car. Too bad the same thing can’t be said for the Honda Civic that my teenage neighbor drives…

According to auto reviews, anyone who visited the Sony Xplod booth at SEMA this week would have the unfortunate experience of being greeted by this “Lamborghini” replica that fails in taking the best elements of the Italian supercar and instead transforms them into a presentation that is not good for those with weak stomachs. Built for John Robert Wargo by the The Custom Shop, some details are reminiscent of the Lamborghini, but it basically only has a timid connection with the real thing. Blending elements of the Diablo, Gallardo Superleggera and Murcielago, it is none of the above. It’s actually powered by a 450 HP, 5.3L Chevy LS4 and is said to be good enough to push this 3200-lb car to 200 mph. We sincerely doubt it, especially considering its dubious aerodynamics and the TV monitors and speakers pouring out of every orifice on this “vehicle.” We really doubt that it would be up to the task of going down the road at even regular highway speeds, let alone 200 mph. If you have the guts, click through to see the full gallery.

You can never really know what “iPod Jack” really means when it is listed as a feature on a new car. It could mean that the iPod will just plug into the car stereo to play and charge, but you may not be able to change artists or choose playlists until you dig it out of whatever oddly-shaped hole it’s buried in. And retrofitting for a lot of cars means an expensive stay at the electronics store, or wires that cross from here to there.

Toyota has just released an iPod integration retrofit kit that will make your new auxiliary input look like it came straight from the factory. And it will give you full control of all iPod functions from either the head unit or the steering wheel. Click Read to check out the full press release.

[Source: Toyota]

]]> http://www.car411.com/toyota-gets-in-on-the-ipod-integration-game/feed/ 0 http://www.car411.com/ferrari-adds-xm-radio-navtraffic-to-612-scaglietti/ http://www.car411.com/ferrari-adds-xm-radio-navtraffic-to-612-scaglietti/#comments Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:32:00 +0000 admin http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/09/ferrari-adds-xm-radio-navtraffic-to-612-scaglietti/
New cars seem to have the satellite radio option just as much as the ever-present portable music device AUX jack. In many ways the AUX jacks essentially eliminates the need for satellite radio options, however some people like to be able to listen to a radio station in hopes of listening to a song they [...]]]>

New cars seem to have the satellite radio option just as much as the ever-present portable music device AUX jack. In many ways the AUX jacks essentially eliminates the need for satellite radio options, however some people like to be able to listen to a radio station in hopes of listening to a song they may not yet own. Luxury cars from Audi to Rolls-Royce have covered the satellite need, so it was surprising that Ferrari hadn’t joined the bandwagon.

That’s over though, as Modena has selected XM as its extra-terrestrial radio provider of choice. The first car to get it is the 612 Scaglietti, which is fine and all, but we can’t figure out why anyone would want yet another audio source to compete with the sweet music made by the car’s V12. At least the NavTraffic feature can help keep the Ferrari on roads whose conditions allow it to maintain a proper pace.

[Source: XM Radio]

Aston Martin V8 Vantage and DB9 buyers will start getting Sirius beginning this August -  Sirius Satellite Radio, that is. Available as a factory installed option, it, better yet, comes with a lifetime subscription. A value of $500 can at least soften the hit on a six-figure automobile.  Savings aside, you’ll never have to worry about a montly $12.95 charge.  It’s a nice little touch that might push some buyers into pulling the trigger, but will more likely come as a pleasant surprise when they find out about the bonus in the deal.

[Source: Sirius]

]]> http://www.car411.com/aston-martin-offering-sirius-radio-with-lifetime-subscription/feed/ 0 http://www.car411.com/fiat-500-to-come-equipped-with-microsoft-blueme/ http://www.car411.com/fiat-500-to-come-equipped-with-microsoft-blueme/#comments Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:07:00 +0000 gmashal http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/12/fiat-500-to-come-equipped-with-microsoft-blueandme/
The petite Fiat 500 with the dexterous next-gen Ford Ka platform is advertised as the Italian MINI Cooper (although made in Poland). But this Fiat has something the MINI doesn’t: Microsoft’s Blue&Me system. Blue&Me packs most of the technology that’s on Ford and Microsoft’s SYNC, but with an added hands-free navigation system. Blue&Me uses the [...]]]>

The petite Fiat 500 with the dexterous next-gen Ford Ka platform is advertised as the Italian MINI Cooper (although made in Poland). But this Fiat has something the MINI doesn’t: Microsoft’s Blue&Me system. Blue&Me packs most of the technology that’s on Ford and Microsoft’s SYNC, but with an added hands-free navigation system. Blue&Me uses the radio to connected iPods and phones so, like with SYNC, the costs should be kept down.

Reviewers were impressed with SYNC at a recent Ford event, and Blue&Me takes car digital asets to another level. It appears that the Europeans have gotten the better version of auto technology yet again.

[Source: Engadget]

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