(Length: 5 pages)

Executive Summary (This is a document excerpt)

Underfeatured, overpriced, and out-of-date, telematics has failed miserably to live up to its promise. But new devices and developments that were presented at Convergence 2004 offer hope that the age of safer, more convenient, more entertaining, and affordable vehicles is finally here. In particular, Microsoft has put together an offering that meets consumer expectations of functionality, ability to upgrade, and cost, while meeting auto engineering's demand for safety, ruggedness, and integration. OEMs should integrate the Microsoft TBox as a consumer-configured ingredient brand and develop a strategy that links telematics data with dealer systems.