Microsoft Corp.'s Automotive Business Unit announced the release of Windows Automotive 5.0, the latest version of its automotive-grade software platform designed specifically for the custom development of advanced in-vehicle solutions including navigation, infotainment and communication systems.

The announcement was made today at the Microsoft Windows Automotive Conference 2005 at the Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan,

"As automotive and mobile device technologies continue to converge, our commitment to delivering technology that provides consumers with seamless communication, information and digital entertainment experiences extends to the car," said Todd Warren, corporate vice president of the Devices, Services and eXperience group at Microsoft. "The release of Windows Automotive 5.0 marks an important step in the company's continued collaboration with the automotive industry to make this vision a reality."

Windows Automotive 5.0 provides the automotive industry with a flexible software platform to create an array of cutting-edge in-vehicle solutions. Building on previous versions, new features such as the Automotive User Interface Toolkit (AUITK) and expanded virtual memory support enable the creation of complex 3-D graphics and advanced navigation displays, while enhanced power management and faster cold-boot times improve performance. In addition, the platform is expected to help the industry deliver better solutions to market more quickly using the new Automotive System Tools (ASTs), which include improved test modules and easy-to-use product engineering guidelines to help simplify the development process and increase reliability.

Based on the operating system Windows CE 5.0, Windows Automotive 5.0 contains the building blocks necessary to integrate with off-board services, including those offering real-time traffic updates, directions to the cheapest gas in town, turn-by-turn navigation and more.

Windows Automotive 5.0 was co-developed by Microsoft teams in Redmond, Wash., and Tokyo in an effort to meet the differing needs of automotive industry worldwide. Currently, world-class automotive device suppliers including Alpine Electronics Inc., Clarion Co. Ltd., Kenwood Corp., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Pioneer Corp. and Tottori Sanyo Electric are using the Windows Automotive platform to develop a broad range of solutions ranging from digital radios and hands-free kits to high-end 3-D navigation systems.