Other areas of interest are the Vehicle I/O interface which allows applications written for the Auto PC to communicate with the vehicle's onboard diagnostic computer if proper interface hardware is installed. The Position and Navigation interface is used by applications to query the GPS for vehicle position and motion information. Finally, the Audio Source Manager is used for controlling the high fidelity audio output of the Auto PC.

To move beyond this introductory information about writing software for the Auto PC, check out Microsoft's article on writing applications for the Auto PC available on their developer support Web site at http://msdn.microsoft.com/isapi/msdnlib.idc?theURL=/library/techart/apcapps.htm.

One can also search the Microsoft Developer Network for more information on programming for the Auto PC at http://msdn.microsoft.com.

There is also a new class available from Paul Yao company called Principles of Microsoft Windows CE Programming for the AutoPC. It is a 5 day, intensive course on writing an Auto PC application from start to finish. Check out http://www.paulyao.com/workshop.html for more information.

Want to build an Auto PC?
Microsoft is always looking to add new companies to the list of those who produce Auto PCs. Signing up to do this involves becoming a Windows CE systems integrator. System's integrators go through an application process and must meet certain qualifications that Microsoft has set. Send email to wcesi@microsoft.com for more information on this. Once you have obtained the title of Auto PC SI (Systems Integrator), Microsoft will provide an adaptation kit for Windows CE design to allow you to port the Auto PC software to a new Auto PC hardware platform. SIs also get other debugging and development tools designed to facilitate bringing up Windows CE on new hardware platforms. These same tools can be used for developing applications and are critical if you want to write device drivers or system level components for the Auto PC. Alternatively, interested companies can contact me at markmo@autopcware.com to get started. General information about the Auto PC can be found at Microsoft's Auto PC Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsce/autopc.

Mark Moeller is a 14 year veteran of Microsoft. After shipping the first version of the Auto PC he left Microsoft to found AutoPCWare, a company focused on helping manufacturers and software vendors build Auto PCs or products for the Auto PC. Mark was the design architect of the first version of the Auto PC and has a number of patents pending or awarded on the Auto PC. You can visit his Web site at http://www.autopcware.com, or email him at markmo@autopcware.com. To read more of Mark Moeller's work for Windows CE Power, visit http://www.zatz.com/authors/authorpages/markmoeller.html.