Bobbie Johnson
London Guardian
Monday, January 8, 2007

He is the quintessential man who has it all: control of the world's offices and home computers, and a bank account that dwarfs the rest of the world.
But Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has something else in his sights: your car.

Speaking in Las Vegas, Mr Gates unveiled a new in-car computer system which will connect to other gadgets and could turn millions of cars into hi-tech computers on wheels.

In a high profile deal with car manufacturer Ford, Microsoft hopes to revolutionize the way people interact with their vehicles.

Mr Gates told a crowd of experts at the huge Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas how better use of communication technologies could change the way we travel.
"It's got to be simple, with safe ways to get the driver involved," he said. "We've been investing in this for some time."

The system, called Sync, will integrate the car directly with the gadgets carried in the pockets of passengers.

Cars will automatically connect to music players and mobile phones, allowing the driver to control them using their voice.

By talking to the system, travellers will even be able to send text messages - or listen to ones that they have received as the computer reads them out loud.

Ford is set to roll out the technology over the coming year, even in ordinary models such as the Focus.

Xbox plans

Giving his annual keynote address to the CES conference, one of the world's leading technology trade fairs, Mr Gates also outlined ambitious plans to expand Microsoft's influence in the living room.

The company will be using the Xbox 360, which has become one of the world's biggest selling video games consoles, as the heart of a new strategy to gain influence outside of the ordinary computer market.

Later this year Xbox owners will be able to watch television directly over the internet, as well as download music, movies and play games.

Control of the television has become a crucial battleground as technology and media companies increasingly come to blows.

Later this week Apple, the maker of the iPod, is expected to unveil more details about its own TV set-top box, which experts say could help break open the market for downloading television programmes over the internet.

Microsoft already has been pushing so-called IPTV for a number of years, though it has so far failed to catch the public's imagination.

But with a number of companies now beginning to deliver shows over the internet - including BT, Sky and Channel 4 - experts say internet technology has now reached a point where the public is ready to buy in.

Mr Gates said the plans were all part of the company's vision of connecting up different aspects of modern life.

Just as computer technology has become integral to the business, it would exert the same influence over music, movies and transport, he said.

"Over time you will have the same kind of entertainment in your car. It's a real milestone."

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