Microsoft Is Into Hyundai And Kia

By Michael Todd
16:33, May 6th 2008
104 votes
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Microsoft Is Into Hyundai And Kia

Microsoft Corp. announced a worldwide deal with Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors. The collaboration will introduce the company’s cars to Microsoft’s software, which uses voice activation technology in order to operate portable phones and digital music players.

Microsoft has an exclusive U.S. one-year agreement until November with Ford Motor Co. on the use of the software and was expected to easily find new customers for its product. Over the past year, the edge offered by Microsoft’s Sync wireless communications and entertainment technology helped the Ford Company sell over 130,000 units in the United States.

Hyundai and Kia will begin selling their newly equipped cars starting November, once Ford’s exclusivity will expire. From that point on, Microsoft will be free to sell the software to any other interested company. The new software will present similar features to Ford’s model, which will include speech recognition, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, hands-free phone and music operation.

The automakers also announced some different sets of features and options depending on each country’s needs. Velle Kolde, senior product manager for Microsoft Auto, while talking to the Associated Press, let out very little information about the new models and didn’t confirm the rumors about the new navigation system or the emergency call service which activates when air bags inflate.

Fiat Auto Group also profits from its collaboration with Microsoft, selling the software since 2006 in Europe and South America under the name Blue & Me.

The new system is expected to be a turning point in the vehicle technology niche.



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