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CES Archives - Joe Barkai

Jan 09

Microsoft’s New Focus on Automotive Apps, Cloud Services

By Automotive No Comments

Having Lost the Infotainment Battle, Microsoft is Focusing on Apps, Cloud Services

In my 2016 predictions, article, I made the point that in the ongoing battle for the car’s infotainment screen Microsoft has probably lost to Google, Apple and QNX. Five years ago, Microsoft’s software was driving Ford’s highly celebrated SYNC infotainment system.  SYNC was installed in 80% of new Ford vehicles and was responsible for rave reviews that contributed to J.D. Power ranking Ford fifth in its 2011 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS).  So successful was SYNC, that in celebration of one million SYNC vehicles produced, Ford CEO Alan Mullaly gave Microsoft’s Steve Balmer a new Ford Fusion Hybrid.

But that was in 2011. Read More

Jan 03

CES 2016: Why Carmakers Pay Attention to a Consumer Electronics Show?

By Automotive One Comment

CES is Becoming the Most Influential Auto Show

Until not long ago, the landscape of car shows and automotive technology symposia was fairly easy to sort out.

Futuristic concept cars and new car models were typically introduced in a number of international, national and regional auto shows that attracted car aficionados, auto media, and some coverage from the local newspaper auto section.

If you were more into audio and infotainment systems and car accessories, you’d probably plan to visit the SEMA Show and mingle with a fair number of “pimp my ride” devotees.

On the other hand, if you were interested in automotive research and development and wanted to attend technical presentations about core vehicle technologies and network with like-minded automotive engineers, you would choose SAE’s World Congress. Automotive Standards?  Again, SAE. Read More