Power Windows: Now Microsoft wants to do your car Windows.

In an effort to broaden its market share, the software giant has unveiled a system designed to run a new type of voice-activated computer for automobiles.

Dubbed the Auto PC, the device is a microcomputer that runs on Microsoft’s Windows CE operating system. Built to fit into a standard radio slot in the dashboard, the Auto PC would allow a person to use voice commands to dial a cell phone, get navigational directions, tune the radio, and listen to incoming e-mail dictated through a digital text-to-voice reader.

The unit also includes a stereo receiver, as well as a CD reader for loading software applications.

Microsoft launched the device at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. At the news conference, roller-bladers in flashy Lycra bodysuits danced and twirled to heart-thumping disco tunes as a counterpoint to a presentation on the device by Craig Mundie, the head of Microsoft’s consumer platforms division.

The devices will first be offered by Clarion Corp. of America, which recently opened offices in Irvine to handle the research and development of their product line.

Focusing on the Seattle and Southern California markets, Clarion plans to begin selling the $1,300 units by June, said company President James Minarik.

Several other manufacturers are looking into building Auto PCs by 1999, according to Microsoft officials.

“We need to have safe, fast access to business information in our cars because we spend so much time in traffic,” Minarik said. “But unlike the PC market, no one knows what the killer [application] is going to be for the car. If this takes off, I see an entire industry cropping up that does nothing more than write software for your car.”

And that’s exactly what Microsoft is hoping will happen. After all, the current and all future Auto PC applications will have to--surprise!--work with Microsoft’s operating system in order to function on the road.