New Fiat 500 Has Microsoft Inside July 13, 2007
Read more Cars , Mobile Devices , Mobile phones , Motoring , Music , Smartphones , Wireless
The old Fiat 500 was voted by Top Gear readers are the sexiest car of all time and the new one has a lot of tongues wagging too, most notably because it retains much of its predecessor charm while spicing up pretty much everything else.
But not a lot of people know that as soon as they sit in they will see a prominent Microsoft logo, right next to the cigarette lighter. This is because the new City runaround sports Microsoft Blue&Me Bluetooth technology for handling mobile phone calls, MP3 players and sat-nav devices wirelessly.
Sound pumps from the car’s speakers and drivers can control it all from the steering wheel controls. You can hook up Flash-based MP3 players directly to the USB socket, make voice activated calls and even have text messages read out to you.
Pre-orders are already through the roof and Fiat thinks [and hopes] that the new 500 could be its ‘iPod’. It certainly looking likely. Check out pics of the new and old Fiat 500 after the jump.-Martin Lynch
Editor | Martin Lynch
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Comments
so what do you do when it breaks down?
close all the windows, turn off the engine, turn on the engine and then open all the windows again!
:)
If it wasn't for the very conspicuous M$ logo I would have begun saving already....
I'll wait for service pack 2 - after the neccesary security update has been released!!
;)
that is just very weird. as a 14 year old, i do not drive, i am a Windows user but to have it integrated (though very useful) is very weird... is there a screen? Or anything to change settings??
Serf the internet while you drive!
It will crash when u need it most,that's how windows o/s works.
Yes, there is a screen, and when the car is in trouble, the screen turn blue.
Ubiquitous computing - one step closer to reality. It's true the MS logo is a bit uncool, but I'm glad that Big brother Steve didn't get his hands on this product.
I have just ordered me a spanking wee 500 and I already have plans to cover up the offending Windoze logo with a cool new Mac one. :)
As long as the ICE system is independent to the rest of the car, then I could live with it having MS inside. I'm surprised that Apple didn't get in there first to be honest, but then it wouldn't bode well for any non-fruit based MP3 player!