Car computers and navigation systems are very helpful when traveling from place to place. They make it much easier to navigate, listen to music, and communicate while safely keeping your eyes on the road. Or at least they should!

Many people may not realize that your average Windows Mobile phone can make a very formidable in-car computer that supports many features that dashboard computers are barely capable of. All you really need is an in-car mount (like one from Arkon) and an adapter to connect audio to the stereo. Some stereos even work with Bluetooth A2DP!

Pros

- Voice prompting navigation

- Live traffic

- Navigate to contacts as synced from Exchange or Outlook

- Plan trips without sitting in the car

- Voice recognition control of music library (via Artist, Album, Genre, or everything)

- Voice recognition for dialing contacts

- Text to Speech announcements of incoming caller names, text messages, emails, and appointments.

- Voice recognition can be activated from Bluetooth headset

- Download and listen to Podcasts & Video podcasts while in the car

- Easily use the same computer in multiple cars, motorcycle, bicycle, and other vehicles.

Cons

- No voice control for setting navigation destination addresses

- Music library limited to phone’s storage capacity (which is expandable in many cases)

- Adapter required to connect to car stereo