Fiat and Microsoft launch Blue&Me in-car communications and entertainment system

Fiat and Microsoft will launch Blue&Me based on Windows
Mobile for Automotive at the 2006 Geneva Motorshow later this month, reports
Gizmag.com, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of in-car
communication, infotainment and entertainment systems and providing all vehicles
in the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Commercial Vehicle ranges with a competitive
advantage. Blue&Me will be the first product seen from the long-term
strategic partnership inked in July 2004 with the objective of co-designing
innovative automotive telematics systems.

The system will exclusively be available on new Fiat and Alfa
Romeo cars as well as on Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles. The Grande Punto, Alfa
Romeo 159, 159 Sportwagon, Brera and Spider will be equipped this from the
middle of this year, followed by the other models of Fiat Auto's product
range.

Instead of costly and rigid hardware, Fiat Auto and Microsoft
- with the support of Magneti Marelli - will offer a platform that can be
adapted to most mobile phones, digital media players and other mobile devices.
The customer is free to change them with new models without compromising
compatibility with the car.

Blue&Me guarantees maximum security levels and
user-friendliness. The voice-activated system, the complete integration of
steering wheel control buttons and information on the dashboard display will
allow users to utilize any Bluetooth-based mobile phone, even if it is in a
pocket or handbag - without removing hands from the steering wheel.

No preliminary voice training is needed because of a modern
voice-recognition system, and even incoming SMS messages are read aloud to the
driver. Among audio functions, it is possible to listen to music stored on a
mobile phone, in the newest smart phones, and in MP3 readers or USB removable
sticks. All this thanks to a USB port, in the glove box, which enables the
connection to any digital device with the correspondent port.

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