Continental Connects Consumers to In-Vehicle Multimedia at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Electronics Show (CES) attendees are invited to Microsoft's booth, located in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth 7853, on January 7-10 to receive a hands-on demonstration of Continental's Multi Media Platform (MMP). Continental will provide a first-hand look at how it is utilizing the Windows Embedded Auto software platform to transform the driving experience by connecting drivers seamlessly to the people, information and entertainment they care about while they are on the road.

Making the Right Connection

Continental is working with its automotive customers to equip a wide range of vehicle platforms - from luxury to affordable cars - with the high-tech features that consumers demand. Continental's MMP, which is a scalable hardware solution that includes radio, CD/DVD player, navigation, and many additional interfaces to connect consumer electronic devices. The MMP is built on the Windows Embedded Auto platform, from Microsoft's Windows Embedded business, which makes it easily upgradeable and, therefore, will help "future-proof" their vehicles and bridge the development cycles between the automotive and consumer electronics industries. Continental plans to leverage Microsoft's large development community to help continuously bring new applications to its Multi Media Platform.

High-Tech Features are Available for Affordable Cars

Continental's flexible Multi Media Platform is scalable and is designed to provide automakers with the ability to pick and choose from a variety of consumer electronic features. For instance, an entry-level version of Continental's Multimedia platform, ideal for high end entertainment and entry navigation systems, is expected to provide: a radio; hands-free calling utilizing Bluetooth wireless technology; access to online services like Internet radio and the ability to easily connect and play personal music collections via either portable devices, USB or SD Cards brought into the vehicle.

An advanced version of Continental's Multi Media Platform, called MMP High, will integrate all the basic features in MMP Entry and also include a high-tech navigation system. The intuitive navigation system utilizes Microsoft's BING Online Search to provide drivers and passengers with point of interest information, including: businesses and attractions, ATMs, gas stations, restaurants, hospitals and more. In addition to NAVTEQ® data, the system relies on NAVTEQ Traffic(TM) to provide real-time traffic information. And, in the event of an accident, missed turn or detour, the system will automatically recalculate the route to the destination.

Both versions of Continental's MMP are based on advance hardware and a System on Chip Architecture concept. The key selling points of MMP are its strong graphic performance and the large variety of interfaces to the vehicle as well as to consumer electronic devices. The MMP High Platform also includes additional calculation power and a high end graphics accelerator.

"A main area of focus for the employees in Continental's Infotainment & Connectivity Business Unit is to work with our customers to bring advanced consumer electronic features to all vehicle segments, including small and more affordable cars," said Kieran O'Sullivan, executive vice president of Continental's Infotainment & Connectivity Business Unit. "Continental's MMP is an ideal solution because it has been designed to provide automakers with a range of flexibility, so they can quickly and easily integrate a variety of features into their vehicle fleet."

Continental continues to enhance its MMP and expects to begin using Microsoft Silverlight for Windows Embedded in its development so it can benefit from Microsoft's existing tool chain and increase the time-to-market of new applications. Microsoft Silverlight provides application developers with the tools they need to create compelling new in-vehicle applications and allows for quick adaptations in the HMI prototyping and development process.

To learn more about Continental AG and its Automotive Group, visit the websites at:

www.continental-corporation.com and www.continental-automotive.com

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Continental AG

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