Autoblog

Ford gets CES innovation awards for Sync and Work Solutions

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:33:00 EST

For years, Microsoft founder and former CEO Bill Gates was the keynoter at the Consumer Electronics Show. When Microsoft first announced its intention to create software for cars nearly a decade ago, most people that had suffered through the indignities of the blue screen of death recoiled in horror. The idea of having to close all of our car windows and re-booting our cars became a running joke. While Microsoft's automotive in-roads probably didn't get as far as the company hoped, it does have one prominent application: Sync, one of the most popular options in Ford vehicles in recent years.

With Gates' retirement, Ford CEO Alan Mullaly will be taking on the big keynote in Vegas next January and the Consumer Electronics Association (CES) will honor the automaker for its efforts in developing Sync and the Work Solutions package for its trucks. Ford has continued to expand the functionality of Sync recently adding traffic, directions and general information, as well integrating with Bluetooth phones to automatically call 911 in an emergency. The show organizers have also named the new Taurus as the official car of the 2010 show. Why? We're not entirely certain.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford gets CES innovation awards for Sync and Work Solutions

Ford gets CES innovation awards for Sync and Work Solutions originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Hyundai developing competitor for OnStar, Sync... but new system needs a name

Chris Paukert — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:31:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Hyundai

Hyundai Equus - Click above for high-res image gallery

As part of its product and marketing development process, Hyundai has reached out to owners and enthusiasts to create a network of consumers with which to discuss everything from future models and technologies to advertising tactics, polls, and so on.

Autoblog has learned of a communiqué issued to members late last week where Dean Macko, Hyundai's Manager of Brand Strategy, appealed to focus group members to help come up with a name for a new "Advanced Technological System" - a telematics package likened repeatedly to General Motors' OnStar and Ford's Microsoft Sync.

According to Macko, the system Hyundai is pursuing focuses on "four buckets of service": Safety and Security (including theft immobilization and automatic emergency service notification in the event of a crash), Infotainment (wireless connectivity features for telephone, music, etc.), Navigation (like OnStar's turn-by-turn direction service), and Vehicle Diagnostics, a tool for both owners and dealers that could help track the need for maintenance and potentially even notify one's dealer to order parts for a forthcoming repair.

Macko admits Hyundai has come up with a number of possible names on its own, including In Touch, Ring, Fuse and Emerge, but the company is reaching out to its network for suggestions. Calling them "naming experts," Macko indicates that this focus group has already helped come up with titles for future paint colors.

To be clear, in Macko's video message, he only says that Hyundai is "thinking about" introducing such a system - he does not commit to a product, timetable, or price. However, given the tone of his message and the nature of the group that Macko is appealing to, we have to believe that this new technology is just around the corner... perhaps tied to the launch of the Equus luxury sedan?

Hyundai apparently needs these naming suggestions by this Wednesday, November 4, and while most of you probably aren't part of Hyundai's focus group, we know that top company officials trawl these hallowed precincts on a daily basis. Thus, if you have a suggestion of your own, why not drop it in 'Comments' - who knows, they just might pick yours. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

Gallery: Quick Spin: Hyundai Equus

BREAKING: Hyundai developing competitor for OnStar, Sync... but new system needs a name originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OMG LOL: New study says 93% of Americans favor banning text messaging while driving

Dan Roth — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology, Ford

Maybe it's not surprising that Ford commissioned a study that helps bolster a sales case for some of its in-car-electronics, but the Blue Oval seems to have its finger on the pulse of the nation this time. Market researchers Penn, Schoen & Berland polled 1,000 drivers and found that 93% of them agree with the notion of a nationwide ban on texting. Those drivers seemed to be realists, however, with only 42% believing that the same idiots who punch out communiques instead of attentively piloting their 3,500 pound projectiles would actually curtail the behavior if a ban were enacted.

Ford, of course, has a solution with its SYNC voice activation technology. Fully 76% of the respondents expressed interest in a vehicle with technology like that of the Blue Oval, which is probably the main point of the survey in the first place. It's likely safer to keep a driver looking down the road with his or her hands on the wheel instead of fiddling with a handheld, but there's still an issue of distraction when a driver's thinking more about chatting instead of steering, as many studies regarding the use of hands-free phones in automobiles have shown.

For its part, Ford has been looking into driving distractions for a long time, and technology like SYNC and MyKey are the results. There's not yet a speech-to-text function, but if a ban gets enacted, look for Dearborn to be ready with just such a system to sell you.

[Source: Motor Trend | Image: Edbrown05 via CC 2.0]

OMG LOL: New study says 93% of Americans favor banning text messaging while driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SYNC You Very Much: Ford to help Microsoft promote Windows 7

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Ford

Ford and Microsoft, sittin' in a tree... right, you know the rest. With the official October 22nd launch of Windows 7 right around the corner, the Blue Oval has reportedly pledged to support the Washington-based software company's new operating system however it can.

That support will include upgrading all of Ford's own computers from whatever version of Windows they happen to be running (any bets that Ford never made a wholesale switch to Vista?) to the new release. Also making the switch will be Continental Airlines, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Intel.

Further, these selected companies are currently meeting with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to discuss how else they can help promote Windows 7. Ford's tie-in with the house that Bill built stems from the fact that the two companies paired up to launch Ford's excellent SYNC infotainment system back in 2007.

[Source: Auto Observer, Bloomberg]

SYNC You Very Much: Ford to help Microsoft promote Windows 7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ford could have problems with SYNC patents

Chris Tutor — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology, Ford, GM

At first, Ford's SYNC wasn't much more than a way for drivers to access music on their MP3 players through their car's radio. But SYNC grew up and, in its last update, gained the ability to summon help in an emergency, access navigation and information services and, basically, match GM's OnStar.

Ford had Joseph Berry to thank for that. Past tense. Had. Back in July, Ford reportedly terminated Berry without getting him to sign over several key SYNC patents. Berry says the patents are based on ideas he came up with before joining Ford and therefore belong to him. But, he says, he'll be happy to license them to his former employer. Ford basically says, "No comment."

The patents are directly related technologies that allow SYNC to use mobile phones to access data such as weather and real-time traffic information. Berry says he's currently in talks with "several automakers" and the head of GM's OnStar division will only say that they "know who Joe Berry is."

Should Ford SYNC users be concerned about losing service? Probably not. It seems likely that as soon as Berry and all the lawyers get their cut, everything ought to be back to normal at Ford HQ.

UPDATE: Ford Communications Manager Alan Hall tells us that Ford isn't saying "No comment," actually. Here's his official statement, "We do not see any risk to current SYNC technology or further innovation and capability development. There is no chance for service disruption or capability reduction for our SYNC owners. In fact, we look forward to announcing more new SYNC applications for customers in the months ahead."

Hall also sought to clarify ownership of the SYNC brand, saying, "The "SYNC" name is a Ford trademark. It is a Ford brand, and therefore cannot be used by anyone else, including being applied to the Microsoft Auto operating platform. The exclusivity contract with Microsoft for the underlying Auto operating system expired in November of 2008, so they can provide the software to other companies, which includes the base capabilities of Bluetooth and USB connection for voice control. But, all the other applications - 911 Assist, Vehicle Health Report, and Traffic, Direction & Information - are Ford developed."

[Source: Detroit News]

REPORT: Ford could have problems with SYNC patents originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Ford SYNC upgrade could include Pandora streaming

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, CES, I.C.E., Ford

Click the image above to view a video of the new SYNC system after the jump

At the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Ford announced that three new features would be included on the next iteration of the SYNC system: traffic data, GPS-guided directions and the ability to snag information from the web through the user's data/GPS/Bluetooth-enabled smartphone to display or read weather conditions, sports scores and other information through the stereo.

On May 26th, the upgrade will be made available to all current 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury owners (you download the update to your PC, then transfer it to the SYNC system through a thumb drive) and all new 2010 models will be equipped with the upgrade from the factory. But as Ford CEO Alan Mulally promised, there's more on the way.

Ford and Microsoft plan to continually update SYNC, and according to Charlotte Fisher from Ford's Design and Technology team, "every six to eight to twelve months we'll be delivering new services." One of the possible features Ford could include on future iterations of SYNC is streaming internet radio, and Fisher confirmed that Ford is currently "talking with Pandora." Can you say XM-killer? Hit the jump to watch a video of the new system in action.

Continue reading Future Ford SYNC upgrade could include Pandora streaming

Future Ford SYNC upgrade could include Pandora streaming originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 May 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: OnStar to add hands-free Twitter functionality?

Chris Shunk — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, GM, Rumormill

General Motors' OnStar in-car communications system can give you directions or help you make a phone call, and soon it may also be able to send and receive Tweets. Gear Live recently received a survey from the General announcing that Twitter functionality could soon be on the way.

With a press of a vehicle's OnStar button, users will reportedly be able to send voice-activated Tweets of up to 140 characters to everyone in their Twitter network. The text would automatically be added to the owner's Twitter account via the "What are you doing?" section at the top of the page. The system would also read aloud messages that are sent to the OnStar user.

Adding Twitter functionality would be a boon for fans of the social networking site, while also giving users less of an incentive to take their eyes off the road to check for messages on their smart phone, although the jury's still out on whether this can be done safely. From where we sit, this innovation would make even more sense applied to all text messages (not unlike Ford's Sync), which has somehow become a preferred means of communications for everyone on the planet under the age of 30. Thanks for the tip, Jonathan!

[Source: Tech Crunch]

Rumormill: OnStar to add hands-free Twitter functionality? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford says new study shows SYNC leads to fewer distracted drivers

Chris Shunk — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Ford

Ford has been winning sales with SYNC, but the infotainment interface may also save lives. We already knew that SYNC, when sync'd up with a Bluetooth-enabled phone, can call 911 for you in the event of an accident. Now, a report from the Blue Oval contends that SYNC can help prevent a collision from happening in the first place. Studies show that talking on the phone while driving can quadruple your chances of an accident, but with SYNC, drivers spend less time with their eyes off the road. The numbers speak for themselves. The SYNC user using voice commands averages two seconds with their eyes off the road, while someone interacting directly with their phone or MP3 player can be distracted for 25 seconds during a commute.

Ford tested 25 participants with typical infotainment tasks like dialing a ten-digit number, calling a specific person from the digital phone book, receiving a call while driving, playing a specific song, and reviewing and responding to text messages. Ford researchers measured total eyes-off-the-road time, deviation of lane position, speed variability, and object detection response time to identify differences in attentiveness and driving performance while using basic functions. SYNC-using drivers never swerved out of their lane, while others meandered 30% of the time. Ford's complete press release is available after the jump.

Continue reading Ford says new study shows SYNC leads to fewer distracted drivers

Ford says new study shows SYNC leads to fewer distracted drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2009: SYNC could one day add app development like iPhone

Chris Tutor — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:01:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, CES, Ford

Ford's head of electronics told Autoblog today that the future of SYNC is already in the works, including the possibility of one day opening up the platform to the developer community.

Jim Buczkowski, Ford's director of electronics and electrical systems said he sees SYNC as a platform on which creative innovation could be built. He said if such a developer program were ever to be implemented, it would work much like Apple's program where outside developers build apps that would be evaluated by Ford before being made available to customers. Buczkowski said the first priority in evaluating apps, though, would be to ensure safety for drivers.

There are no definite plans for a "SYNC SDK" anytime soon, but it is an indication that Ford is busy working to keep SYNC ahead of the competition.

Ford's Executive Vice President Mark Fields told us in another CES interview that with SYNC, Ford is now able to behave more like a technology company than an automotive company. New sheet metal takes much longer to design and implement than a software update that would give Ford owners many new features. To keep up the innovative pace, Fields said they seek input from customers in the blogospheres, focus groups and from Ford's SYNC My Ride Web site.

CES 2009: SYNC could one day add app development like iPhone originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2009: Ford shows off future of SYNC, Best Buy partnership

Chris Tutor — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:02:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, CES, Ford

On top of those new SYNC features we've already told you about, Ford showed off what its SYNC system might one day look like with configurable controls and a personal assistant "avatar" named Eva. The concept is meant to provide a more human interface with the vehicle to help drivers be safer and more efficient. Instead of the disembodied voice of KITT, Eva is an animated character on your instrument panel that converses with you in plain English. She's a little creepy, but chalk that up to the Uncanny Valley phenomenon.

Ford also says it will be taking SYNC to European markets in 2010 then to Asia Pacific and Australia.

Earlier today, Ford Executive VP Mark Fields also told us that his company is working with Best Buy to educate mobile phone customers about SYNC. CEO Alan Mulally (that's him in the red cardigan) went into more detail about the partnership later in his keynote speech at CES. Fields said sales reps in Best Buy's standalone mobile phone stores would educate customers on SYNC's new capabilities when paired with a Bluetooth-enabled smart phone and then point out what phones are compatible with Ford's infotainment system. Check out the video above, the gallery of Ford's big CES keynote below, and an official press release from the Blue Oval after the jump.

Gallery: CES 2009: Alan Mulally's keynote address

Continue reading CES 2009: Ford shows off future of SYNC, Best Buy partnership

CES 2009: Ford shows off future of SYNC, Best Buy partnership originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2009: SYNC updated with Traffic, Directions and Information

Chris Tutor — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, CES, Ford

Ford and Microsoft debuted SYNC at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show, updated the system at last year's event and now keep the tradition alive with more enhancements for 2009. The next iteration of SYNC will sport new features able to take full advantage of a user's GPS-enabled bluetooth smartphone.

Boiled down to the bare essentials, these features are summed up as Traffic, Directions and Information. The Traffic feature sends texts messages with traffic alerts to the user's phone, or the SYNC system can read them aloud in the car. The Directions function mimics a full-feature navigation system by displaying directions on the radio and speaking them audibly through the sound system. And finally there's information, which allows users to access sports, weather and news of all types through SYNC.

The best part is that all of these features follow you to any vehicle equipped with SYNC via your smartphone. Ford even claims that the iPhone works with these new capabilities despite the fact Apple limits the phone's Bluetooth capability and AT&T doesn't allow data tethering. We'll be sure to get more details on how all this works later today when we meet with Ford execs and get a demonstration.

The big Blue Oval says it will offer these new SYNC features on almost all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles with three years of service included right up front. Check out Ford's full press release and see a video demonstrartion of the new features after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading CES 2009: SYNC updated with Traffic, Directions and Information

CES 2009: SYNC updated with Traffic, Directions and Information originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SYNC retrofit kit now available for 2008 Navigator, Mustang next

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, SUV, Technology, Ford, Lincoln

When Ford launched its new SYNC in-car communications system in the Ford Focus, the crew in Dearborn may not have known just how popular the option would prove to be. While the SYNC system has started to infiltrate the rest of the Blue Oval line, its integration is apparently not moving fast enough for many consumers. Doug White, Vehicle Personalization Marketing & Planning manager at Ford says, "Customers and dealers were telling us that we needed SYNC on our flagship SUV and we felt we needed to respond to those concerns as quickly as we could. They essentially said, 'If you have it on Focus, why not Navigator.'" Sounds pretty reasonable to us. Considering that the Lincoln Navigator is the flagship product for Ford's up-market brand, it should be available with all the best techno-goodies available in the Ford arsenal.

The retrofit kit is now a dealer-installed option for all 2008 model year Navigator and Navigator L models built after December 4, 2007. According to the press release, pasted after the break, the vehicle must have been factory equipped with the voice-activated navigation system and DVD entertainment system, included with the Elite Package. The integration is reportedly rather straightforward and uses the steering wheel buttons and works the same as other SYNC systems. The price? Just $550, making it seem a rather no-brainer as far as we're concerned. Next in line for a SYNC accessory kit will be the Mustang.

[Source: Lincoln]

Continue reading SYNC retrofit kit now available for 2008 Navigator, Mustang next

SYNC retrofit kit now available for 2008 Navigator, Mustang next originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 May 2008 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Surprise! Ford's SYNC sells cars

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Gadgets, CES, Technology, Ford, Lifestyle

Ford developed its SYNC system with Microsoft and has an 18-month exclusive license to sell the system, which is something we weren't aware of until recently. It turns out, however, that the exclusive rights aren't being wasted: Ford reports that SYNC-equipped cars are finding twice as many buyers as cars without SYNC. One dealer said "People who won't spend a dollar more for power door locks have to have SYNC." Keep in mind this news is coming from Ford, but clearly SYNC is appealing to the common customer.

The multi-media controlling option appears to have won so many over by being easy to learn, genuinely useful for different age groups, and cheap at only $395. Scott Burgess of The Detroit News, when building his dream car, called it "the best $395 option of 2007." It also appears to be inverting the car buying decision for some, with people knowing that they want a car with SYNC then choosing among the available models.

SYNC is still young, though. If the kinds of things that PC owners and Microsoft critics have bemoaned for ages begin to creep in, then the fortunes of SYNC could sink just as quickly. But for now it's good times, and if you've been checking out SYNC from the sidelines, you might be interested to know that v2.0 will be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in a couple weeks.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Surprise! Ford's SYNC sells cars

Surprise! Ford's SYNC sells cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Popular Mechanics honors Ford's SYNC

Chris Shunk — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, BMW, Daimler, Ford, GM

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]

Popular Mechanics honors Ford's SYNC originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In-car texting made easy

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology

The mousetrap and mouse are locked in a constant battle for supremacy. The same is true with laws prohibiting texting while driving and the drivers who simply must text behind the wheel. Enter the capitalists: Microsoft and Nuance. Nuance makes voice recognition software and, combined with the Microsoft Sync system available in many Ford models, the driver would be able to dictate a text message to the car, and perhaps eventually do the same with e-mail.

A Nuance spokeswoman said "We are aiming for natural communication between car and driver, which will have benefits for concentration and safety." The way things are going, there are simply so many more things you can do in a car that we wonder how the increased ability to multitask, even if by voice, will ultimately aid concentration on actual driving. But we'll wait to see how it all shakes out before issuing judgment...

[Source: Auto Express]

In-car texting made easy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Oct 2007 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New voice recognition tech coming to cars

Siddharth Raja — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:04:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets

Car companies always boast about how many technological gizmos they pack into each new model, but the sad truth is that many buyers -- and we're talking a lot here -- barely have a clue what they'd use them for let alone how to go about it. This hasn't stopped companies like Nuance Communications Inc. from developing a raft of new and innovative gadgets for our convenience. The speech-recognition market leader most recently supplied its software for use in Ford-Microsoft's new SYNC and that's just the beginning of what it has to offer.

One gadget it has in the pipeline will let drivers pick a song from an MP3 database by simply calling out the artist or title. Another feature of the system will be the ability to detect different voices so that different people will be able to program their own unique settings and control multiple devices through the one system.

Sadly, voice recognition on the PC still leaves something to be desired, so we don't expect in-car recognition to be perfect any time soon. While some might view automotive gadgets as getting to the point where they become more of a hazard than convenience, workable systems that keep more hands on the wheel and eyes on the road are to be commended.

[Source: Wards Auto]

New voice recognition tech coming to cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford giving dealers extra training on SYNC

Chris Tutor — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Technology, Ford

Way back in January at CES, we got a personal demonstration of Ford's SYNC from the Microsoft Auto program manager in Vegas, and later, another demonstration from Ford in Detroit. Except for being slow to use and not all that useful, SYNC wasn't terribly complicated.

But FoMoCo isn't taking any chances and wants to ensure that the high-tech merging of their cars and your gadgets won't go over the heads of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury buyers. The carmaker is offering all its dealers extra training on the use of SYNC before the system goes on sale this fall.

Personally, we wonder if Ford is training its dealers how to sell the system more so than how to use it. As we watched the demonstration at CES we were never wowed or shown anything we hadn't seen before. It's good Ford is upping its in-car technology, but we aren't inclined to think that SYNC will be what drives buyers into Ford dealerships. Then again maybe training could help. At my last visit to a Ford dealership, it took the salesman 15 minutes to figure out how to work the Edge's power-folding rear seat.

Click through to the jump to see a video of our Ford demo.

[Source: Automotive News, subscription required]

Continue reading Ford giving dealers extra training on SYNC

Ford giving dealers extra training on SYNC originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford's says SYNC goes over big at CES

Chris Tutor — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 10:07:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, CES, Ford

Ford is touting SYNC's popularity at CES, where attendees voted to give the technology the CNET People's Voice Award, while Popular Mechanics magazine gave SYNC their Editor's Choice award.

While at CES we got a personal demonstration of the technology from Scott Porter, lead program manager for Microsoft Auto. The system did everything it is advertised to do, from taking voice commands, to integrating Bluetooth phones with the car to reading text messages received on your mobile phone. The most impressive thing it did was work just as well with Apple's iPod as it did with Microsoft's Zune. None of those tricks are anything different from what dozens of other electronics and even automotive companies are currently offering. One difference is the lack of GPS on SYNC. Could the Microsoft and Ford PR campaign pushing SYNC be the biggest reason for the People's Voice award? Then again, maybe we just don't "get" being able to have " :) " read out loud to us by a feminine digital voice as "smiley face," or the usefulness of taking 30 seconds or more to interrupt the music to ask SYNC what song is currently playing. We're looking forward to reading Popular Mechanics reasons for liking SYNC. Perhaps they saw something we didn't.

For the full Ford press release, click through to the jump.

Continue reading Ford's says SYNC goes over big at CES

Ford's says SYNC goes over big at CES originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jan 2007 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2007: Fill that void in your dash with GPS

Chris Tutor — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Audio, Gadgets, CES

From our viewpoint here at CES, it looks like automotive electronics manufacturers want nothing more than to fill that gaping hole where your 8-track once was with anything but an 8-track.

So far, Pioneer, Eclipse, TomTom, and even Microsoft are among those introducing all-in-one navigation-giving, MP3-playing, iPod-connecting, Bluetooth-equipped, satellite radio-lovin', in-car entertainment systems. All are the same, in that they take a bunch of those gadgets off the top of your dash and squash 'em into a box in the dash.

Microsoft CEO Bill Gates gave his 10th keynote address at CES Sunday night, where he talked about Vista and how it would unify communication in and outside the home. Your car too. Ford's Executive Vice President Mark Fields flew in from Detroit to join Gates in announcing Sync to a huge CES crowd. Gates started the Sync introduction by saying Microsoft wants to give drivers a safer, "single command" automotive interface that combines all elements of vehicle electronics.

Fields said Sync would be available on a dozen models of early 2008 Fords, Lincolns and Mercurys, including the Edge and the new Focus. Sync will bring together man, machine, mp3 player and mobile phone, allowing drivers to integrate all those devices with their cars. Sync will download, via Bluetooth, all address books and personal ringtones from mobile phones. The system can even be set up to read text messages to drivers, and will translate shorthand like LOL and emoticons. Somehow. But we don't see how that could be a good thing. Remember the loathed talking cars of the 80s? Ugh.

Descriptions of Pioneer's and Eclipe's all-in-ones, and a few more CES keynote photos after the jump.

Continue reading CES 2007: Fill that void in your dash with GPS

CES 2007: Fill that void in your dash with GPS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Auto Show: Ford Sync

Alex Nunez — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Gadgets, Etc., Technology, Ford

UPDATE: The above video does a much better job of showing you what Sync does than we do explaining it.

Microsoft and Ford have teamed to produce Ford Sync, a new in-car system that offers comprehensive, seamless integration with Bluetooth-enabled phones and a variety of digital music players. A USB port in the car accepts a variety of music players including the ubiquitious iPod, the Zune (surely you didn't think Microsoft would leave out their new toy), PlaysForSure devices, and many USB mass-storage units. Formats supported include MPC, AAC, WMA, WAV and PCM. As the market evolves and new formats are introduced, support for them will be a software upgrade away.

The Bluetooth connection will automatically import your cell phone's address book to the Ford Sync, which will allow the driver to make handsfree calls using voice commands. It also allows drivers to stay on a call they began outside the car by pressing a wheel-mounted button that activates Ford Sync's Bluetooth connection. For supported phones, personalization features such as custom and caller-specific ringtones will continue to work in-car. In addition, text messages will be read to the driver by the system, which will know to translate common text shorthand like "LOL" to proper verbiage.

Follow the jump for more information and Ford's official press release and click here for the official site.

Check out all the debuts and galleries from the Detroit Auto Show here.

Continue reading Detroit Auto Show: Ford Sync

Detroit Auto Show: Ford Sync originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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