Popular Mechanics is handing out its breakthrough awards, and Ford's SYNC made its way into the tech magazine's top 10 breakthrough products. SYNC's reasonable $395 price tag and voice recognition capability gave Ford and Microsoft's joint project the edge, and Popular Mechanics also really liked the fact that SYNC can read your text messages to you. SYNC will be available on 12 Ford products for the 2008 model year, with more availability in 2009.
Ford wasn't the only automaker to make its way onto the breakthrough award list, either. GM, BMW, and DaimlerChrysler's joint Two-Mode Hybrid project was also recognized for its ability to save fuel on the gas guzzlers that need it most.
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AlexP @ Oct 11th 2007 7:22PM
Um, the dealership close to my College got two new Focuses and they're both equipped with SYNC, which runs for 450CAD.
I'm not overall impressed by the interior, I think it's an improvement over the previous model but it looks atrocious in beige/tan, I've yet to see a black/silver/gray interior... Exterior looks better in person, comfort is comparable to the one of the outgoing model... But rear seat leg room has... Shrunk, at least, in my opinion. I'm not worried about hard plastics, they've become common in pretty much every new mass-market car today, it's just a matter of doing them right (texture, primarily).
3cubed minus 3squared plus1 @ Oct 11th 2007 7:37PM
I wonder if it can read txt dat luk liek diz
Seriously, if it can that would be mighty impressive.
Tagg @ Oct 11th 2007 9:53PM
It can't read stuff like that but it will read "IDK or BFF" stuff by reading the letters off to you.
Elliott @ Oct 12th 2007 9:00AM
The demonstration I saw did have it correctly reading some words that were incorrectly spelled, but none were that bad.
Also in the demonstration I saw it did not say the letters "L-O-L", it said "Laughing out loud". Ideally, the "dictionary" can be periodically updated using the USB port.
Carlos @ Oct 11th 2007 7:51PM
can this Sync unit be added to a Ford that didnt come with it from the factory?
Vivek @ Oct 11th 2007 7:54PM
I don't think so. I am pretty sure it's only a factory installed option that is packaged with other options.
Carlos @ Oct 11th 2007 8:08PM
What if I just order the head unit from the Ford Parts dept?
I guess my question is if its a self contained unit or if its tied into other parts of the car.
Tagg @ Oct 11th 2007 9:53PM
You could probably get the head unit I'm sure but you will need the USB port for certain functions of SYNC. There is also a list of what phones do what with SYNC as well on this website:
http://www.SyncMyRide.com/Own/Modules/Compatibility/AllCompatiblePhones.aspx
Elliott @ Oct 12th 2007 9:31AM
If you ordered just the head unit you wouldn't have the microphone for giving voice commands (which is probably in the mirror), the USB port for hooking up your iPod or other MP3 player (which is probably in the armrest / console), or the steering wheel (which has a button to activate the voice commands).
If all that functionality doesn't bother you, there are after-market set ups that would be better for you. This is an option for people who are against having non-factory installed equipment in their car.
P to the C @ Oct 11th 2007 10:06PM
That's enough to buy a Ford right there.
Bryan @ Oct 11th 2007 11:51PM
I wish I could add this in my F150. I guess I will just have to wait until next year when I buy a new car. =(
Dean @ Oct 12th 2007 8:42AM
This is great, combine the "quality & reliability" of Ford, with the flawless design, and performance of Microsoft...well, you get the idea (and if the sarcasm hasn't yet been detected, know that I'm writing this with a great deal of it). I'll will however be impressed when I see Honda partner up with Apple, to come up with some sort of in-car system.
Mike Botros @ Oct 12th 2007 9:47AM
Right, because Apple never released anything buggy.
compy386 @ Oct 12th 2007 10:21AM
Yeah and iTunes is the best software ever written...
I hope for Honda's sake that they don't go with Apple. Apple creates pretty things that are extremely poorly engineered. Not something I typically associate with Honda.
Dean @ Oct 12th 2007 11:02AM
While I realize that Apple isn't exactly perfect when it comes to software issues, and bugs, if you compare it to anything Microsoft ever put out, it's miles ahead.
Mike Botros @ Oct 12th 2007 11:47AM
That's a joke. MS makes way better software than Apple.
Justin @ Oct 12th 2007 1:39PM
lol what a funny argument considering no one is using any substance, just baseless insults.
I personally don't see anything wrong with apple's hardware and software design and reliability based on my 6.5 year old ibook (yes i know a lot has changed since 01 but still a greatly thoughtful design), imac and powermac of similar time periods. On the other hand, I do NOT like propietary ipods and would get a creative zen instead.
And this is coming from someone who hadn't consistently used an apple computer until my pc randomly died a year ago.
rv @ Oct 12th 2007 6:21PM
A high-scale, classy computer/iPod maker partnering up with the McDonald's of cars? Uh, no thanks. The whole iPod Touch/Starbucks thing was bad enough.
Galley @ Oct 12th 2007 9:39AM
Wow, it syncs with the Zune. That oughta be a big seller!
Dean @ Oct 12th 2007 11:08AM
I have to agree with you, Apple has released buggy software, but when it comes to comparing the Microsoft OS, to the Mac OS, the Mac OS is far less likely to crash, and far more reliable,