Intel goes mobile

 

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Posted on 23 Apr 2001 at 11:10

Intel has recently announced a new business relationship with Microsoft, QNX Software Systems, Wind River Systems, IBM, Fonix and Lerner & Hauspie.

With a gaggle of software companies on board, you would expect Intel to be announcing a new processor or something similarly spectacular, but instead the company is trying to get into the in-car computer market. These new telematic systems (the posh way to say in-car computer) will be based upon StrongARM processors and will also utilise speech recognition hardware.

The in-car computers will be an aid to the weary traveller by finding directions, taking care of the in-car entertainment systems and managing mobile phone calls. These systems would be relatively cheap, putting around $200 onto the final price of a car. Unfortunately, Intel has to compete with Onstar, a technology division from General Motors, which has managed to create a comprehensive telematic system that utilises GPS systems to contact the police if you have an accident.

The Intel units will run using Windows CE and will have a library for multimedia files such as MP3 music and video files. The speech recognition will be handled by software developed by Lerner & Hauspie, which has been modified to work with the Intel chips.

It's bad enough with mobile phones being used in cars but surely an all-singing, all-dancing computer entertainment system will also distract the driver? Also, Windows crashes enough without it being put into a car...

Author: Darren Lock