Why Ford is dumping Microsoft

[SteveO]

Too bad they didn't go with our fruit co. I think I read that Acura is partnering with them, though.

[SteveG]

It's just as well. That Clippy the Chauffeur Autonomous Driving System wasn't doing well in tests.

[STL]

Friend has a Ford Explorer with the touch screen powered by MS.
Has been in a multitude of times for troubleshooting and software upgrades.
Still does not work 100% to expectations.
Easy to understand why Ford dumped MS based on this personal experience.

[Z]

Had both the Ford - MS system and the GM-equivalent. They're both much clunkier than they should be. :|

[N-OS X-tasy!]

The one in my Infiniti is not at the top of the class, either.

For my money, Lexus currently offers the best GUI and GPS.

[M A V I C]

N-OS X-tasy! wrote:
[quote=M A V I C]
One of my biggest gripes with the whole concept was that MS introduced a horrible concept to cars - software crashes.

From 1999: http://www.snopes.com/humor/jokes/autos.asp
Doesn't have anything to do with what I'm talking about?

[spacescape]

Blackberry... Blah!

[Bimwad]

silvarios wrote:
QNX is long established in the automotive industry perhaps? There's a whole world beyond mobile phones.

Yup, QNX powers some of best-received telematics systems in the industry, including Audi's MMI and BMW iDrive.

But, Audi appears to be moving toward an Android-based system. The OEMs have finally realized that in-car apps are going to be the next step, and it's easier to adopt a platform with a well-established developer base than try to establish their own, like others are attempting.

[Article Accelerator]

The more interesting question is why (on earth) did Ford go with Microsoft in the first place?

It may have been because Mulally and Ballmer were buddies, but the simpler explanation may be that Ford was just tragically clueless.

[testcase]

Drivers / owners are basically driving a vehicle that is controlled by a Windows OS with ALL the attendant problems Win OSes are burdened with.

A friend bought the Ford Edge because it was the "most technologically advance car available" when he bought. He now says "never again". He's an anesthesiologist. He left his home at 5AM to get to the hospital for a surgery scheduled at 7AM. His Ford Edge had other ideas and simply would not start. He's a meticulous person. He had to call a cab and, was later arriving at the hospital than he wanted to be. He's currently considering what vehicle he will get to replace the Ford Edge.