Mio Satnavs to use new OS in 2009

According to a joint announcement made by the companies this week, Mio Technology will become the first SatNav manufacturer to switch to the new Windows Embedded NavReady 2009 OS from software giant, Microsoft. Obviously, this also means Mio will be the first to quit using the Windows CE platform, the core software still used by many of their competitors.

Expansions

As the successor to Windows CE, Windows Embedded has a new variant created especially for use with SatNav devices: the aptly titled “NavReady”. Windows CE was never designed solely for this purpose, which meant the SatNav manufacturers had to write their own specific expansions in order for the operating system to offer all the features they deemed necessary.

Not so with Windows Embedded, which comes with built-in Bluetooth support for hands free phoning while driving, and file transfer protocols for easy synchronisation between the SatNav and other devices. The ‘Desktop pass through’ component makes it possible to connect the SatNav to the web by connecting to any Windows PC with an internet account and the internet is then literally ‘passed through’ to the device, creating an easy way to search for information and download updates

Recent

Windows Embedded NavReady also offers support for the LiveSearch and MSNDirect services from Microsoft. LiveSearch can be used for looking up recent data on POI’s, and with MSNDirect the user can access to traffic information, fuel prices, weather forecasts etc. This technology is already used by a number of Garmin SatNav devices in the United States.

Of course, Mio sees advantages in using the new Microsoft Operating System, which was announced this June. "Our adoption of Windows Embedded NavReady 2009 is a significant step in our ongoing mission to create superior customer experiences on PND to consumer devices," said Samuel Wang, president of Mio Technology. "Having a category-specific platform like Windows Embedded NavReady 2009, dramatically simplifies the process of building a connected GPS navigation device, helping us to achieve our goal of delivering an outstanding customer experience to drivers and other consumers."

This simplification of the product development process quickly leads to lower production costs, so with the move to Windows Embedded NavReady 2009, Mio can secure its profit margins and uphold its strong position in the very competitive Satellite Navigation market.

Large players

Windows CE is the operating system of choice for many SatNav manufacturers, but the two largest players in the market, TomTom and Garmin, chose otherwise. TomTom developed its own ‘NavCore’ OS, based on Linux, and Garmin also produced its own operating system. Only the largest of the manufacturers are able to do this though. The development of a proprietary operating system is a costly business; so huge sales figures are needed in order to cover the R&D costs for the software development.