By Frank S. Washington | SACOBSERVER.COM WIRE SERVICES

(NNPA) - Regardless of whether you knew it, computers have long been part of your car. In fact, you probably had one in your car long before you had one at home. If you've ever had a "check engine" light come on in your car or had to pay an extra $75 to $250 to have your mechanic connect your vehicle's computer to his diagnostic system, computers have been in the middle of your life.

Voice activation systems have been part of luxury vehicles for year. Now, they are no longer limited to high-end purchases and now serve the masses. But there's no reason to stop there. So go ahead and add a fully-functional PC to the mix. That's exactly what WinMobile has done with its MC-36. Complete with DVD/CD drives, LCD screens and digital camera that can be used to help you drive in reverse or better monitor your child in the rear seat.

The PC itself is about the size of a portable VCR and can run most Windows-based software. It has all the bells and whistles one would expect from a PC and a few extras you would need for automotive use. One of those extras is an engine diagnostic program. Yes, your very own. Now when that check engine light comes on, your car will tell you what to have repaired and you will be able to shop for the best price.

Another helpful extra is the MC-36's ability to synchronize with your PDA and automatically dial telephone numbers for you. It even comes with an accelerated graphics card and S-video output for crystal clear DVD pictures. The great thing about WinMobile products is that you can pick and choose what accessories you want, based on your budget and need. Check out www.winmobil.com for more information.

As always, Microsoft is on the cutting edge of technology, this time with its Windows Automotive.

The plan is to converge several Microsoft favorites such as WinCE (software that runs Windows-related cell phones and PDAs) and the Tablet PC through a voice activation system. Add to that, access to the Internet and you have an automotive vehicle that will do everything from identify the closest Chinese restaurant to providing street-by-street directions.

According to Microsoft's reps attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the system is moderately priced and can utilize technology the consumer may already have in place. Most voice activation systems take a few minutes to learn the voice of the user. This one seemed to pick up mine pretty quickly. Its oral responses were also clear, without the distinctive robotic tone that characterizes less sophisticated systems. Because this can be linked to your PDA, telephone numbers don't have to be stored or synchronized in the unit. There's a nice video featuring product demos and some of the technology involved at microsoft.com/automotive/windowsautomotive.

If you think all this technology is going to replace the stuff already in your car, worry not.

The tried and true car radio is coming back new and improved under the guise of HD radio. With all the multimedia technology going digital, your local radio station won't be left out in the cold. Unlike satellite radio, which is commercial-free because you pay a monthly subscription fee, HD radio is a digital version of your local station. Now everything from your morning traffic reports to the evening quiet storm music will be broadcast in CD quality. There is at least one station broadcasting in both regular format and HD in every major market.

If you haven't heard the difference, it may be because you are using your same old radio. That's right, just like HDTV, you need an HD radio to hear HD broadcasts. That is where the manufacturer of Visteon comes in. They make in-dash units that utilize all of the latest formats, including satellite, HD and analog AM/FM radio. The clarity of Visteon's radios isn't the only thing that is impressive. Their line of car DVD players is outstanding. The best thing about them is that they are detachable and can run off of an AC/DC power plug or battery pack. For more information, go to visteon.com.

Fred Green Jr., NNPA's technology writer, is technical training specialist for a national communications company.