Volkswagen and Microsoft team up to develop in-car media server

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By Brett Davis | May 06th, 2011

Microsoft and Volkswagen are teaming up to develop a large in-car media server that will be capable of storing large files. The server could put an end to carrying CDs in the car and give Volkswagen a much needed technological boost in terms of in-car entertainment.

Ford has the SYNC platform and Toyota has the Entune system, both of which were also developed in conjunction with Microsoft. These platforms specialise in device integration, providing links to existing media and web interfaces such as iPod and mobile phones.

A contract has been signed between Microsoft and e.solutions, Volkswagen’s main software supplier, which aims to develop a platform which is capable of fast file transfers as well as storage of large files such as movies. An e.solutions executive recently said:

??”The goal of the joint venture is to enable the use of software for in-vehicle infotainment and to drive innovation.”

We look forward to seeing the outcome of the partnership in the near future, especially if the platform is linked together with Audi’s impressive service which includes Google Maps and in-car internet.

Elitist

MS has no direction, why would they partner with a has-been technology company?
DPG

The blue screen of death

f1worldchamp

Well blue is Volkswagen’s corporate colour…
Blue-motion screen of death perhaps?

Octavian

Why bother transferring data from one device to another? The data should be on just one device to not have to wait just to play a song or movie.
Smokin’r32

This would be great if it automatically synced your music library over the home wifi network to the hard drive in the car while it’s in the garage
dailydriver

Why are car companies teaming with a software giant which will require your car to have an anti-virus subscription!?!?

Seriously – why not go open source i.e. linux where there is low risk of virus trojans and no royalty costs?
The platform is fast and code can be more efficient than anything microsoft is ever likely to develop.
It should also make it possible to get better apps – just think android!

Andrew M

The problem with Linux is it wont be compatible with anything and the average punter wouldnt be able to use it.

dailydriver

You are kidding right?
You must know nothing about it – sorry, there is simply no other way to put it.
Do yourself a favor and checkout Ubuntu and XBMC.
Obviously the intent is not to have a command line interface and train people to program from the drivers seat.
The intent is an easy to use, fast and intuitive interface. All without lining Microsoft or Apple’s coffers.
Manbearpig

You do realise that Android is Linux, don’t you? Have you used an Android phone? They’re about as user-friendly as it gets. Ubuntu is just as easy to use. Cool story though.

Ex salesman

What everyone is trying to say us Apple would have Bern the smart choice!!!!!
Daniel D

Elitist and daily driver, the reason is simply that Microsoft have spent millions building a platform that will work for the auto manufacturers and integrate nicely with their propriety hardware. They are now the most experienced in the game too and have had their products very well received by the public. So they get the business.

There is no reason why Linux wouldn’t work, its just you haven’t started coding a solution yet. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with in a few years time when you are done. Oh and I’m not paying for it.