Mecel's McMate: A virtual trivia partner
Mecel has been making free software for the Auto PC for quite some time. Their main business is doing Auto PC software for Auto PC manufacturers such as Delco and their Communiport product. However, as a side project, Mecel occasionally delivers what I would call "proof of concept" applications as freeware for the Auto PC. The latest of these is something they call McMate.

McMate is a virtual personality that installs on your Auto PC and interacts with you and your passengers, playing trivia games, telling jokes, and offering reminders of important events. I personally enjoy the trivia games. McMate poses a question to you then gives you four possible answers, one of which is correct. You say the number of the answer you believe is right and McMate lets you know whether or not you're correct before moving on to the next question. Questions come in sets of various sizes and topics. However, there is no "Phone-a-Friend,""50/50," or "Ask the Audience." On the bright side, McMate never asks you, "Is that your final answer?" You can download McMate at http://www.mecel.se/autopc/html/home.htm.

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.