Engadget previews Ford SYNC 2.0 before November release
Ford's new SYNC system is already helping the automaker sell cars, and the Microsoft-sourced technology is primed to deliver even more bang for the buck this fall. Sync 2.0 is set to drop on Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles this November, but our friends over at Engadget got an early peek of the updates to come.
First on the list of improvements is 911 Assist, which enables your SYNC'd Bluetooth phone to call 911 automatically in the event of an airbag-deployed accident. SYNC also interacts with the vehicle's PCM and can send vehicle health reports to an owner's email address using the signal from your own phone. We're looking forward to getting our hands on a Ford vehicle with SYNC 2.0, and although we have no intention of testing 911 Assist, the Vehicle Health Report tool sounds like an interesting and useful application of the service.
Engadget also got the scoop on some items that may appear in SYNC 3.0, which should debut sometime in 2009. Some of the enhancements could include access to sports, weather, traffic and news, all without the need for an expensive nav system. If you do have a navigation system, you can already get Sirius Travel Link for a monthly fee of $7, which comes with live traffic info, movie times, gas station listings by price and sports scores.
UPDATE: Ford has made no official announcements regarding SYNC 3.0, and the above features are only possibilities.
[Source: Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wally 8:43AM (9/03/2008)
I would think that current Sync owners are going to get PO'd that there is a new system every year that is much improved over the previous system.
Or can you download a firmware update for your car and keep updating Sync?
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Clinton 9:21AM (9/03/2008)
Sync is upgradable via USB flash drive.
John 8:54AM (9/03/2008)
Everyone knows that electronic technology moves quickly. Why would a Sync owner not expect the same? I doubt they would be PO'd. Maybe they would simply trade up more frequently.
Sync 2.0 has to connect to the PCM for airbag and maintenance information. Doesn't sound like a software update to me.
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mike 8:56AM (9/03/2008)
Look at how cheap that Central Console looks. Buttons are too simple. What Ford needs to do it to hire head design officer of Apple, that guys knows what he is doing.
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Hamud 9:12AM (9/03/2008)
Yea, 'cause we all love to have 50 tiny little fancy buttons to look at when we are driving.
mike 9:17AM (9/03/2008)
Hamud, it's all about style and look. Plus no one ever said that Apple choses style over ease of use.
RL 11:33AM (9/03/2008)
No, you said it, SIMPLE. This is what I want, I don't want 100 buttons, I have to sit and say oooh, look I am flying in an airplane. I don't want that, I like how their consoles are. They are not cheap, they are well laid out and do exactly what they need to do. If I DO want more, I would get the NAVI screen, which you can get on this.
ADE 9:00AM (9/03/2008)
SYNC can be upgraded.
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Pat 9:13AM (9/03/2008)
In the event of a crash, does the E911 system just close all your windows, turn off your car and then turn it back on again?
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Ruckus 11:12AM (9/03/2008)
Sync will be software upgraded. There will be no cost to it either.
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Polly Prissy Pants 9:26AM (9/03/2008)
This just makes me sadder that Ford doesn't make anything I'd consider buying. This needs to be available on all cars, not just Ford products.
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Eric Liberatore 9:41AM (9/03/2008)
Take THAT OnStar!
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nanotube 10:29AM (9/03/2008)
MP3Car is now selling a double-DIN head unit PC, pretty well equipped with touch screen, GPS, WiFi, HDD, DVD, the obvious MP3 capability, Windows XP Pro, Bluetooth and of course, a radio. It's also very expensive and they won't install it for you. They need to make SYNC have certain universal adapters, like the OBD2/CAN plug and GPS antenna plug and the rest can be removed and upgraded like any car stereo.
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Ruckus 11:14AM (9/03/2008)
Why wouldn't you consider buying ANY Ford products?
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fredbblakemore 11:30AM (9/03/2008)
So, wait...I need to have my bluetooth phone paired to Sync in order for a safety feature like airbag notification to work? Number one, I hate leaving my phone connected to anything bluetooth because it sucks the battery. Number two, what if my phone is broken or the battery is knocked lose in a crash? No airbag notification? Number three, if my son crashes the car and hasn't paired his phone to the system, he's out of luck? And they call this a safety system! At least OnStar's "cell phone" is integrated into the vehicle. Seems a lot safer to me.
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Torrent 11:44AM (9/03/2008)
looks like onstar has company.... always good to have healthy competition...
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Leviathan18 12:23PM (9/03/2008)
most on star cars, had very old cell phone tech that was shutdown not so long ago....
rather have my cellphone paired to the car so i have handsfree speaker which can save you from some tickets
and if you son drives the car he should pair the damn phone with the car also.
i have a seat leon with BT integrated into the car and is the best feature the car has, its much safer to use the phone this way.
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Toy Yoda 5:28PM (9/03/2008)
Just curious: does Aston Martin get sync technology too?
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