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.

David Gewirtz is the author of How To Save Jobs and Where Have All The Emails Gone? For more than 20 years, he has analyzed current, historical, and emerging issues relating to technology, competitiveness, and policy. David is the Editor-in-Chief of the ZATZ magazines, is the Cyberterrorism Advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, and is a member of the instructional faculty at the University of California, Berkeley extension. He can be reached at david@zatz.com and you can follow him at http://www.twitter.com/DavidGewirtz.