Microsoft InfoBlast Newsleeter- May Edition In May, Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of its fifth-version software platform for automotive suppliers and manufacturers, Windows Automotive 4.2. Based on Microsoft? Windows CE .NET 4.2, this new unique software platform will enable automakers to build devices that fit every price range and car model, and will allow drivers and passengers to take their mobile lifestyle on the road. Windows Automotive is Microsoft's first automotive-specific platform to natively support voice- and data-enabled Bluetooth?, the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework and ship with a native speech engine. With these new features, Microsoft is enabling the automotive industry to provide drivers and passengers with hands-free communication, seamless access to Web services such as news, weather and sports, diagnostic information for maintenance, and wireless synchronization of data with mobile devices, as well as smooth functionality among many mobile devices. In addition, Microsoft is working collaboratively with more than 30 automotive suppliers around the world to build telematics systems, many of which will include the hardware, software and services for both the embedded and aftermarkets. These suppliers include Clarion Co. Ltd., Denso Corp., Kenwood Corp., SANYO Multimedia Tottori Co. Ltd. and Yazaki Corp. This announcement adds to the growing momentum for Microsoft's in-vehicle technology. The 2003 Honda Accord is the most recent vehicle added to Microsoft's expanding list of 17 models on the road from eight car manufacturers, including BMW, Citro?, Fiat, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Toyota and Volvo. For more information, please visit, http://www.microsoft.com/automotive