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Ford and Microsoft offering Sync connectivity in 2008 models
The refreshened 2008 Ford Focus and Five-Hundred will both be rolled out with Bluetooth connectivity next year thanks to a partnership between the Blue Oval and Microsoft. That company from Redmond developed a system called Sync that includes not only a hands-free Bluetooth wireless system for cell phones, but also an in-vehicle operating system. Hooking up your RAZR to your car is one thing, but talk of an in-car operating system implies that the Sync system will become much more robust in what it can do at some point. Talk in the industry points to functions like not only dumping you MP3 files on a car's hard drive, but also connecting your car's computer system to local area networks or even mobile broadband networks so that a driver can check his email on the fly.
Ford wil be debuting the Sync system at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas simultaneously in early January. The system will later be rolled out across Ford's entire lineup.
We're curious to see how far beyond communications the Sync system will go, so we'll report back with details when they're available. Now, you may begin joking about Microsoft crashing your car.
[Source: Automotive News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Yaroukh 6:36PM (12/29/2006)
when I read the quote on the picture I thought it is 1990
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beaker 6:40PM (12/29/2006)
Blue Oval, Bluetooth, Blue Screen of Death
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chuck goolsbee 7:59PM (12/29/2006)
Anythime you mix Microsoft with cars, the jokes just start writing themselves.
I'll take mine without a EULA (end user license agreement) please.
The highest level of technological integration I desire in a car is a place tou plug in my iPod and cell phone to recharge, thankyouverymuch!
--chuck
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Sgt. Hulka 7:38PM (12/29/2006)
And Toyota is offering.....wha? The Germans are offering....The intrusive and facist "idrive"?
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American Cars suck donkey dick 8:06PM (12/29/2006)
two glitch ridden companies that produce crap are going to join forces. Now that is a bold move. At least msft had the foresight to copy others (ie apple, netscape, etc). Ford produces their own original crap.
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dave 8:25PM (12/29/2006)
#5, someday you're gonna relize that the posters on these sights are laughing AT you and not with you. don't you have an episode of sesemee street to watch?
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hmmm 8:58PM (12/29/2006)
dave wrote,,
don't you have an episode of sesemee street to watch?
are those the seeds on those buns dave ????
And ford steals most of it's crap from Mazda and Volvo !!!
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rygar 10:48PM (12/29/2006)
So if I let my friend share my car, he can only drive it three times or within three days, whichever comes first?
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jon 11:30PM (12/29/2006)
a match made in hell.
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bathtub gin 11:37PM (12/29/2006)
#5 - You must run through a lot of Pepto with all the bile and hatred running through you. Try yoga.
I am not sure how crazy I am about all this. these are cars, after all, and some of them are driven on public streets from time to time. Would this make your Focus 3-door a Wifi hotspot? Does that mean you'll have to chase some slacker with a laptop out of your car because he nurses a coffee all day while using your internet connection? I guess Ford should be at least given a point or two for not making it like an idrive.
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Paul 6:28AM (12/30/2006)
American industry continues to take advantage of the masses. fight racism and boycott all american products. #5 I agree. americans are kidding themselves if they think they can compete with the asians with technology. the brightest minds are in Japan not detroit or seattle. silly americans.
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Dustin 8:05AM (12/30/2006)
yes #11, because I only use #1 SUPERMEGA HAPPYHAPPY JAPAN OPERATING SYSTEM~~~!!!!^_^ in my computer. Good job.
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HRpuffnstuff 8:46AM (12/30/2006)
I own a 2006 Ford Focus and was really skittish about buying an American car again when I bought this new in 2006 and I can tell ya, for 15 grand I got a well running, decent looking car and believe me, I was always an American basher as I had my share of interesting cars (first one was a 10 year old 1975 Chrysler Cordoba) so I am by far no American car fanboy. Ford came a ways compared to the Escort which got its name from the fact when u bought it, it came with someone to help u push the car when the cylinder heads cracked after overheating the first time.
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FrankTheCrank 11:30AM (12/30/2006)
I can't wait for the upgrades.
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Robert 1:04PM (12/30/2006)
I would wager that the OS will not be tied into any important functionality (security system or drivetrain). No worries, all this will do is allow your car to "talk" to things. From what I understand, Microsoft's car OS has been in development for a couple years now and is not based on the old Windows kernel which we've all had several problems with. Theoretically, it will be more stable. It also depends on what kind of applications you can put on it. It depends on whether or not you can sync to the internet (unlikely). That adds levels of problems. Hopefully they're smart enough to add on slowly.
And #5, you'd be all over this if Toyota put an OS in their cars. You're just upset Ford beat them to it.
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Daniel 10:57PM (12/30/2006)
Looking at the photo, I thought Bill was asking Bill for a loan?
"Hey buddy can you lend a fellow American a grub steak" (from Treasure of the Sierra Madre).
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Steve 1:00AM (12/31/2006)
I can see it now" I have to take my car into the service department every Tuesday or whenever MS releases updated software to get the patches installed. Then again, with so much bloat MS produces the car's gas millage will fall below the EPA's requirement within six months. After two years, I won't be able to drive the car as I would have to get out and push it to go anywhere. Plus, after I buy the Ford, I will have to go out and buy other needed software just to be somewhat safe to drive it. That I expect to cost several thousands of dollars.
But fear not! I will be required to upgrade my car every five years as the new software for the car will not be supported.
Like that spiffy new radio in your MS powered Ford? You will have to buy a license to play it. You know those pesky DRM licenses...
BUT WAIT. The fun is about to begin. You see MS doen't like to play with anyone else nicely. Your car won't like being on the same road as other cars made by those other manufacturers. The New Fords will bully the others and will be wider than the now standard lane. So other cars will just have to move aside. New adapters will have to be made. You will have to get a special made adapter to fit your gas tank as the standard nozzle won't fit. Another will be needed to check or even fill the air in your tires.
But last but not least, let's not forget MS was found guilty of violating anti-trust laws. So what makes you think you could trust your new Ford?
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Tony 11:36AM (12/31/2006)
FORD SERVICE DEPT: "Thank you for calling FORD service how may we help you?"
CUSTOMER: "Hello yes ahh my car crashed."
FORD: "Sir, perhaps you should call the Police and your insurance company."
CUSTOMER: "No no , you don't understand... it's not that kinda crash "
FORD: "Please explain sir."
CUSTOMER: "It's that darn SYNC system, it crashed! It won't let me do anything!"
FORD: "I see, we're gonna have to connect you to MICROSOFT for help with that, please hold."
CUSTOMER: "#$@%in Microsoft!"
MICROSOFT: (in badly broken english) "Thank you for calling Microsoft, My name is Hadesh, how may I help you?"
CUSTOMER: "Forget it, I should have gotten a GM." (hangs up)
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