Cars to run Windows

Ford and Microsoft are expected to announce a joint venture next week that will result in Windows-based, in-car computers that will offer drivers hands-free cell phone capabilities, media downloads, automatic navigation updates and e-mail, reports DailyTech.

The report says Microsoft founder Bill Gates recently commented that to remain competitive, car makers will have to start introducing features such as HD screens, voice recognition, electronic calendars, cameras and navigation systems that include road and traffic conditions.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the new technology will be available in two models of the 2007 Ford lineup. It is expected to be available for all Ford models in 2008.

Apple Computer is expected to make an announcement about a new iPod at next week's Macworld conference in San Francisco.

USA Today says Apple is expected to unveil an iPod with cellphone-like features; a model with a larger screen and higher resolution; or a cheaper iPod with greater capacity.

Analysts say the emerging MP3 cellphone market could be lucrative for Apple, which cemented its dominance in the digital media player market over Christmas. They say Apple has brushed aside Microsoft's Zune, which has seen flagging sales since its release in mid-November.

The creator of the Wikipedia collaborative online encyclopaedia, Jimmy Wales, is planning to create a "people-powered" search site, reports BBC News.

The Search Wikia project will not rely on computer algorithms to determine how relevant Web pages are to keywords. Instead, the results generated by the search engine will be decided and edited by members of a large community. Those searching will also be able to edit the list of results they get.

Wales says existing search systems for the net are "broken" because they lack freedom, community, accountability and transparency. Wales announced his plans for the search project before Christmas, but there is no indication when it will be introduced.

Consumers are expected to move beyond exchanging links to amusing video clips in 2007 to regular online episodes.

The San Francisco Chronicle says television networks are expected to post more television shows and special features on the Web. More people will also create and post their homemade videos, but these will be semi-professional, scripted series for the Web and attract regular viewers.

Industry players expect that at a point, creating TV shows on the Web will tip over to the mainstream.

More than 77% of Chinese mobile users are keen to buy 3G handsets when they become available, according to an official survey.

The People's Daily Online says the survey shows users are clamouring for mobile TV, video calling, high-speed Internet with only 6% of users saying they would not buy a 3G handset.

However, the survey report says handset price will be a critical factor affecting the promotion of 3G services. The report says the fact that the price of 3G mobile phones will initially be higher than 2G handsets will slow the spread of 3G services.