cars news 10: Volvo Brings Skype Compatibility to 90 Series Cars

In the future, autonomous cars should help us get a lot more work done on the road. But until then, Volvo is bringing Microsoft’s Skype for Business to its 90 Series cars, allowing drivers to join conference calls with one touch on the center display.

The goal of the Skype integration technology is to help drivers focus on the road while remaining productive. Drivers can view all of their upcoming meetings on the car’s center touchscreen and click to join business meetings. After a conference call, drivers can record and send voice notes to themselves via the “Record and Send” app.

“We’ve all been there. Sitting in the car trying to join a conference call. You either fumble with or drop your phone while trying to connect or you forget the long pin code to join,” said Anders Tylman-Mikiewicz, vice president of Consumer Connectivity Services at Volvo Car Group, in a statement. “With the addition of Skype for Business all that goes away.”

Volvo says it’s exploring ways that Cortana, Microsoft’s equivalent to Siri, can be used in its vehicles. Volvo and Microsoft have partnered on many different projects in the past. Beginning this year, Volvo owners have been able to lock their car doors, flash the lights, or set the navigation via the Microsoft Band 2 wristband, for instance.

Skype for Business will be available on Volvo’s range-topping models, including the XC90, S90, and V90 vehicles.

Source: Volvo