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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Amazon looking to bring Kindle to your next car?]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/amazon-looking-to-bring-kindle-to-your-next-car/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/amazon-looking-to-bring-kindle-to-your-next-car/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/amazon-looking-to-bring-kindle-to-your-next-car/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/infotainment/" rel="tag">Infotainment</a></p><a href="http://gigaom.com/2013/02/20/your-next-kindle-could-be-embedded-in-your-car/"><img alt="Kindle Buick" class="right border" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/kindle-buick-628.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 250px; height: 375px; float: right;" /></a>Maybe so. The online retailer and digital media monolith recently announced the Amazon Cloud Player, an application for <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/ford sync/">Ford Sync</a> that allows users to stream media from their Amazon Cloud account directly to a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/">Ford</a> vehicle. This foray into automotive technology got the minds at <em>Gigaom.com</em> thinking about what could be next for Amazon. As Kevin Fitchard writes, the logical step is to make audio versions of your Kindle library selections available in your car. As he points out, Amazon has already laid the groundwork for such a move.<br />
<br />
Amazon pulled the sheets back on Whispersync for Voice last year. The tech pairs ebooks with an Audible book for a small extra fee, allowing users to either read along with a narrator or switch between audio and text versions on command. Fitchard says it wouldn't be some great leap to apply the same principles to a car, where voice recognition software would allow users to pause or select chapters without ever taking their eyes off of the road.<br />
<br />
It all sounds just fine to us, but Amazon hasn't said a thing about such a move. Still, we wouldn't be surprised to see the company come down this road in the near future just the same.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/amazon-looking-to-bring-kindle-to-your-next-car/">Amazon looking to bring Kindle to your next car?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/amazon-looking-to-bring-kindle-to-your-next-car/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20475083/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/amazon-looking-to-bring-kindle-to-your-next-car/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>amazon</category><category>applink</category><category>ford</category><category>ford sync</category><category>ford sync applink</category><category>kindle</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Bowman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[<em>Wired</em>: Ford making Sync AppLink open source, free for any automaker to use]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/wired-ford-making-sync-applink-open-source-free-for-a/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/wired-ford-making-sync-applink-open-source-free-for-a/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/wired-ford-making-sync-applink-open-source-free-for-a/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ces/" rel="tag">CES</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/infotainment/" rel="tag">Infotainment</a></p><a href="http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/01/ces-2013-ford-applink-for-all/"><img alt="Ford Sync AppLink" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/applink-630.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 628px; height: 421px;" /></a><br />
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Automakers aren't necessarily known for their sharing skills unless some sort of mutual agreement is in place, but it seems that <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/">Ford</a> is looking to create a universal architecture based on its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/applink/">Sync AppLink</a> on which other companies (including rival automakers) can run in-car apps free of charge. With the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ces/">2013 Consumer Electronics Show</a> going on, <em>Wired</em> sat down with Ford's Doug VanDagens, director of connected services, who talked about what such a tech-sharing plan could do for Ford and the industry.<br />
<br />
Giving up some of the technology behind <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/sync/">Sync</a> AppLink would obviously put Ford in a place to become a bigger name in cabin tech, but on the grander scheme of things, it could help bring more apps to users. Currently, each automaker uses its own technologies, which means that creating an app for each system would be expensive and time consuming - a reason why current in-car apps are limited to bigger names like Pandora and iHeart Radio. Ford's plan would not only make it easier for app developers and automakers, it would also open the door for more aftermarket head units to improve infotainment capabilities as well.<br />
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When asked by <em>Autoblog</em>, a Ford rep at CES said that while other automakers could potentially use their open-source software, Ford didn't necessarily expect it to happen.<br />
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To get the full boatload of details about Ford's proposed tech-sharing plan, head on over to <a href="http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/01/ces-2013-ford-applink-for-all/"><em>Wired</em></a>.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/wired-ford-making-sync-applink-open-source-free-for-a/"><em>Wired</em>: Ford making Sync AppLink open source, free for any automaker to use</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 09:14:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/wired-ford-making-sync-applink-open-source-free-for-a/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20421270/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/wired-ford-making-sync-applink-open-source-free-for-a/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2013 ces</category><category>2013 consumer electronics show</category><category>ces</category><category>ford</category><category>ford sync</category><category>ford sync applink</category><category>infotainment</category><category>sync</category><category>sync applink</category><category>technology sharing</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeffrey N. Ross]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 09 Jan 2013 09:14:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford marks 5 million Sync-equipped vehicles over 5 years]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/08/ford-marks-5-million-sync-equipped-vehicles-over-5-years/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/08/ford-marks-5-million-sync-equipped-vehicles-over-5-years/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/08/ford-marks-5-million-sync-equipped-vehicles-over-5-years/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/infotainment/" rel="tag">Infotainment</a></p><a href="/2012/11/08/ford-marks-5-million-sync-equipped-vehicles-over-5-years/#continued"><img height="422" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/applink-630.jpg" vspace="4" width="630" /></a><br />
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It's pretty amazing how much in-car technology has advanced in recent years, and Ford's <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/sync/">Sync</a> system has been at the forefront of vehicle connectivity and infotainment. Since its debut on the 2008 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/focus/">Ford Focus</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/">Ford</a> says more than five million of its vehicles have been equipped with <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/microsoft/">Microsoft</a>-developed technology.<br />
<br />
Back when Sync was shown off in 2007, smartphones were just in their infancy (the iPhone was unveiled two days later), and Sync allows customers to upgrade their mobile devices without having to replace any equipment inside the vehicle. Over the years, Ford has expanded the technology to include new features such as <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/sync%20applink/">AppLink</a> that adds Sync-enabled apps-like Pandora, iHeartRadio, Stitcher and Vehicle Health Report.<br />
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Down the road, Ford says Sync will get even more personal through the use of cloud computing and vehicle sensor data. Read more in the press release <a href="/2012/11/08/ford-marks-5-million-sync-equipped-vehicles-over-5-years/#continued">below</a>.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/08/ford-marks-5-million-sync-equipped-vehicles-over-5-years/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford marks 5 million Sync-equipped vehicles over 5 years</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/08/ford-marks-5-million-sync-equipped-vehicles-over-5-years/">Ford marks 5 million Sync-equipped vehicles over 5 years</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/08/ford-marks-5-million-sync-equipped-vehicles-over-5-years/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20372045/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/08/ford-marks-5-million-sync-equipped-vehicles-over-5-years/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ford</category><category>ford sync</category><category>lincoln</category><category>mercury</category><category>microsoft sync</category><category>sync</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeffrey N. Ross]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Roximity location-based deal provider app launches with a friend in Ford [w/video]]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/12/roximity-location-based-deal-provider-app-launches-with-a-friend/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/12/roximity-location-based-deal-provider-app-launches-with-a-friend/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/12/roximity-location-based-deal-provider-app-launches-with-a-friend/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="/2012/08/12/roximity-location-based-deal-provider-app-launches-with-a-friend/#continued"><img alt="Roximity on Sync" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/roximity-628.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 628px; height: 429px; " /></a><br />
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<p class="p1">
	Wouldn't it be great if your car alerted you to nearby deals as you drove by them? Austin Gayer and Danny Newman's <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/roximity/id525537207">Roximity</a> app will appeal to you, then. The duo explains it as "a location-based alert system that allows merchants to sign up for geo-aware location deals." In other words, when you're near a place offering a deal, you get an alert on your iPhone, and since Roximity is integrating with <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/FordSync/">Ford Sync</a>, that functionality extends to Ford cars and trucks as well.  </p>
<p class="p1">
	Roximity was the winning app developed during the Ford Sync App Developer Challenge at the 2011 TechCrunch Distrupt Hackathon in San Francisco. What makes it different from other deal sites, like <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/groupon/">Groupon</a>, is that you can better tailor the deals to your interest. This way you won't get deals for vegan dining if all you want is updates on bacon cheeseburgers. <a href="/2012/08/12/roximity-location-based-deal-provider-app-launches-with-a-friend/#continued">Watch the video below</a> to see Gayer and Newman explain their app firsthand.</p><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/12/roximity-location-based-deal-provider-app-launches-with-a-friend/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Roximity location-based deal provider app launches with a friend in Ford [w/video]</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/12/roximity-location-based-deal-provider-app-launches-with-a-friend/">Roximity location-based deal provider app launches with a friend in Ford [w/video]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Sun, 12 Aug 2012 12:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/12/roximity-location-based-deal-provider-app-launches-with-a-friend/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20298060/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/12/roximity-location-based-deal-provider-app-launches-with-a-friend/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>deal alerts</category><category>ford</category><category>ford sync</category><category>groupon</category><category>roximity</category><category>sync</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[George Kennedy]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 12 Aug 2012 12:01:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford's SYNC inducted into Computer History Museum [w/video]]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/fords-sync-inducted-into-computer-history-museum-w-video/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/fords-sync-inducted-into-computer-history-museum-w-video/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/fords-sync-inducted-into-computer-history-museum-w-video/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="/2012/06/20/fords-sync-inducted-into-computer-history-museum-w-video/#continued"><img height="419" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/synccomputermuseum.jpg" vspace="4" width="628" /></a><br />
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We didn't even know there was a Computer History Museum, but that didn't stop the Mountain View, California institution from inducting Ford's <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/sync">SYNC infotainment system</a> into its permanent collection. The seven-year-old in-car technology, first made available as an option on the 2008 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/focus">Ford Focus</a> for $395, has since found more than four million takers and is expected to add five million more over the next three years as it gets offered worldwide.<br />
<br />
The museum officially added the first-generation SYNC module, which is little more than a green, circuit- and module-laden board, but we'd expect there to be a touchscreen console for visitors to actually discover what it can do. <a href="/2012/06/20/fords-sync-inducted-into-computer-history-museum-w-video/#continued">Scroll down</a> for a presser on the accolade and a video illustriously titled, Ford SYNC: How It All Started.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/fords-sync-inducted-into-computer-history-museum-w-video/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford's SYNC inducted into Computer History Museum [w/video]</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/fords-sync-inducted-into-computer-history-museum-w-video/">Ford's SYNC inducted into Computer History Museum [w/video]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:29:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/fords-sync-inducted-into-computer-history-museum-w-video/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20262266/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/fords-sync-inducted-into-computer-history-museum-w-video/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>computer history museum</category><category>ford</category><category>ford sync</category><category>sync</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathon Ramsey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:29:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford attends Facebook Hackathon to create The Social Car]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/ford-attends-facebook-hackathon-to-create-the-social-car/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/ford-attends-facebook-hackathon-to-create-the-social-car/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/ford-attends-facebook-hackathon-to-create-the-social-car/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/infotainment/" rel="tag">Infotainment</a></p><a href="/2012/02/29/ford-attends-facebook-hackathon-to-create-the-social-car/#continued"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/ford-facebook-hackathon.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 628px; height: 352px;" /></a><br />
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Most of us don't quite understand why we'd want Facebook in our cars, but during a recent Hackathon at Facebook's Palo Alto campus, the Blue Oval and the new Big Blue combined forces to go beyond status updates and photos sharing.<br />
<br />
In an effort to make a truly "social" car, devs from Facebook held one of their monthly Hackathons that incorporates some of the social giant's most popular apps into <a href="http://autoblog.com/ford">Ford's</a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/Sync/">SYNC</a> system.<br />
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The all-nighter bred a handful of integrated apps that allowed you to check-in somewhere as soon as you parked your car, find a restaurant that one of your friends "liked" and even automatically stream songs that your friends have posted on their walls.<br />
<br />
You can get a taste of what came out of the event in the video <a href="/2012/02/29/ford-attends-facebook-hackathon-to-create-the-social-car/#continued">after the jump</a>.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/ford-attends-facebook-hackathon-to-create-the-social-car/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford attends Facebook Hackathon to create The Social Car</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/ford-attends-facebook-hackathon-to-create-the-social-car/">Ford attends Facebook Hackathon to create The Social Car</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:31:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/ford-attends-facebook-hackathon-to-create-the-social-car/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20182864/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/ford-attends-facebook-hackathon-to-create-the-social-car/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>facebook</category><category>ford</category><category>ford facebook hackathon</category><category>ford sync</category><category>hack</category><category>hackathon</category><category>hacking</category><category>palo alto</category><category>social car</category><category>social networking</category><category>sync</category><category>video</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:31:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford says SYNC base is now 4M, will reach 13M by 2015]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/14/ford-says-sync-base-is-now-4m-will-reach-13m-by-2015/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/14/ford-says-sync-base-is-now-4m-will-reach-13m-by-2015/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/14/ford-says-sync-base-is-now-4m-will-reach-13m-by-2015/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><img alt="MyFord Touch" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/fordsync4m.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 628px; height: 451px; " /><br />
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Ford SYNC is a success. The connectivity software has found its way into four million cars since its introduction in 2007. With European and Asian buyers getting SYNC for the first time this year, and North American offerings like the Fusion and Flex getting it as standard equipment, Ford expects to add nine million more users by 2015.<br />
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The prediction isn't solely based car buyers' increased access to SYNC; even in the U.S. the uptake continues to grow, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/fords-sync-now-in-three-million-vehicles-and-counting/">from 80 percent of buyers in 2010</a> to 82 percent in 2011. The percentage of those recommending SYNC has remained stable at 80 percent, but that might also rise with <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/ford-set-to-double-the-amount-of-sync-controlled-apps-at-ces/">more features and apps</a> on the way. You can read all about it in the press release after the jump.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/14/ford-says-sync-base-is-now-4m-will-reach-13m-by-2015/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford says SYNC base is now 4M, will reach 13M by 2015</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/14/ford-says-sync-base-is-now-4m-will-reach-13m-by-2015/">Ford says SYNC base is now 4M, will reach 13M by 2015</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:36:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/14/ford-says-sync-base-is-now-4m-will-reach-13m-by-2015/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20147874/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/14/ford-says-sync-base-is-now-4m-will-reach-13m-by-2015/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ford sync</category><category>infotainment</category><category>microsoft</category><category>microsoft sync</category><category>sync</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathon Ramsey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:36:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford set to double the amount of SYNC-controlled apps at CES]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/ford-set-to-double-the-amount-of-sync-controlled-apps-at-ces/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/ford-set-to-double-the-amount-of-sync-controlled-apps-at-ces/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/ford-set-to-double-the-amount-of-sync-controlled-apps-at-ces/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ces/" rel="tag">CES</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/" rel="tag">Electric</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-evos-concept/#photo-4405033"><img alt="Ford Evos Concept" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/ford-evos-concept-12-628.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 628px; height: 471px;" /></a><br />
<br />
For the fourth year in a row, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/">Ford</a> is going big at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ces">Consumer Electronics Show</a> in Las Vegas, and that includes the North American debut of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/31/detailed-evos-concept-fortells-fords-future-w-video/">Evos concept</a>, a new production car and even more <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/SYNC/">SYNC</a>-controlled apps.<br />
<br />
Next week at CES, Ford will reveal the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/fusion/">2013 Ford Fusion</a>, which is also set to bow halfway across the country at the <a href="http://autoblog.com/detroit">Detroit Auto Show</a>. Joining the Fusion will be the normal smattering of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/mustang">Mustangs</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/focus">Focus</a> sedans, hatchbacks and the all-new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/focuselectric">Electric</a>, along with the Evos concept that debuted earlier this year. The Evos' presence is particularly important, as it outlines Ford's plan for a cloud-connected vehicle, and there's a chance we'll see those concepts evolved even further at CES.<br />
<br />
Finally, Ford reps say they'll be doubling the amount of apps available through the automaker's SYNC infotainment system, so expect more streaming, more social and more connected apps to be available later this year.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/ford-set-to-double-the-amount-of-sync-controlled-apps-at-ces/">Ford set to double the amount of SYNC-controlled apps at CES</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:58:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/ford-set-to-double-the-amount-of-sync-controlled-apps-at-ces/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20140582/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/04/ford-set-to-double-the-amount-of-sync-controlled-apps-at-ces/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ces</category><category>ces 2012</category><category>evos</category><category>focus electric</category><category>ford</category><category>ford ces</category><category>ford evos</category><category>ford focus electric</category><category>ford sync</category><category>sync</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:58:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford extending MAP text support to more models]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/" rel="tag">Safety</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/infotainment/" rel="tag">Infotainment</a></p><a href="/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/#continued"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/11edgemyfrdtouchdnd-628.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 628px; height: 451px;" /></a><br />
<br />
In the sixth major software update to <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/">Ford's</a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/SYNC/">SYNC</a> system, the automaker is extending Message Access Protocol (MAP) Bluetooth support to select 2011 and 2012 models, giving drivers the ability to have text messages and emails read aloud in their SYNC-equipped vehicles.<br />
<br />
MAP Bluetooth support has been available on a number of Ford vehicles since its introduction this year, but the software update (G1 V3.2.2) extends the functionality to supported a number of bluetooth equipped smartphones to allow users to hear SMS, MMS and email messages over the stereo. The update is set to roll out later this month and you can get all the details in the press blast <a href="/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/#continued">below the fold</a>.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford extending MAP text support to more models</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/">Ford extending MAP text support to more models</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20083585/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>applink</category><category>ford</category><category>ford sync</category><category>map</category><category>map support</category><category>sync</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford making live operators standard with Sync service]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/ford-making-live-operators-standard-with-sync-service/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/ford-making-live-operators-standard-with-sync-service/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/ford-making-live-operators-standard-with-sync-service/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="/2011/09/20/ford-making-live-operators-standard-with-sync-service/"><img alt="ford mytouch" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/11myfordtouch01-630op.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 627px; height: 474px; " /></a><br />
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After <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/13/onnotice-ford-beta-testing-live-operators-through-sync/">a successful round of beta testing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/">Ford</a> is ready to put you in touch with a live operator by way of its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/Sync/">Sync</a> Services system. Should you feel the need to speak to an actual person, Ford will put you in touch with an operator who is standing by, as it will henceforth be included as a standard feature in Sync's suite of functions.<br />
<br />
Live operators can assist with turn-by-turn direction while also sending any relevant information about your destination to your phone. According to Ford, relaying the live information will help drivers keep their eyes on the road while the person on the other end does the data digging. Customers who are new to Sync will receive 60 complimentary sessions, while current Sync customers will receive a set number of complimentary sessions based on how much time is remaining on their agreement. Full details posted <a href="/2011/09/21/ford-making-live-operators-standard-with-sync-service/#continued">after the jump</a>.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/ford-making-live-operators-standard-with-sync-service/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford making live operators standard with Sync service</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/ford-making-live-operators-standard-with-sync-service/">Ford making live operators standard with Sync service</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/ford-making-live-operators-standard-with-sync-service/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20047810/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/21/ford-making-live-operators-standard-with-sync-service/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>call center</category><category>ford</category><category>ford sync</category><category>sync</category><category>sync services</category><category>telematics</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Glucker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford slashes Sync price by $100, coming to all models in three years]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/01/ford-slashes-sync-price-by-100-coming-to-all-models-in-three-y/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/01/ford-slashes-sync-price-by-100-coming-to-all-models-in-three-y/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/01/ford-slashes-sync-price-by-100-coming-to-all-models-in-three-y/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/" rel="tag">Safety</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/infotainment/" rel="tag">Infotainment</a></p><a href="/2011/08/01/ford-slashes-sync-price-by-100-coming-to-all-models-in-three-y/#continued"><img alt="Ford Sync" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/12edge-sport05-630op.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a><br />
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With <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/">Ford</a> stepping up to become <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/12/ford-first-to-support-bill-banning-handheld-phones-while-driving/">the first automaker to support the Safe Drivers Act of 2011</a>, the Blue Oval is putting its money where its mouth is by dropping the price of its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/Sync/">Sync</a> system from $395 to $295.<br />
<br />
The updated pricing will extend first to the 2012 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/explorer/">Explorer</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/edge/">Edge</a>, and will be available on all trim levels of the Edge, with the SEL, Limited and Sport models coming standard with the system and the SE now available with Sync as an option. The pricing will later extend to the 2013 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/escape/">Escape</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/flex/">Flex</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/focus/">Focus</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/taurus/">Taurus</a>.<br />
<br />
In addition to the standard infotainment and navigation functions, Ford is touting the hands-free capabilities of Sync as a safety feature, along with 911 Assist and the Sync Services subscription plan which includes turn-by-turn directions, traffic reports and business searches, all of which can be performed without ever taking your eyes off the road.<br />
<br />
Ford plans to make Sync and the new pricing strategy available on every North American model by 2014, and expect a host of upgrades and refinements to happen in the process. <a href="/2011/08/01/ford-slashes-sync-price-by-100-coming-to-all-models-in-three-y/#continued">Hit the jump</a> for the full details.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/01/ford-slashes-sync-price-by-100-coming-to-all-models-in-three-y/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford slashes Sync price by $100, coming to all models in three years</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/01/ford-slashes-sync-price-by-100-coming-to-all-models-in-three-y/">Ford slashes Sync price by $100, coming to all models in three years</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/01/ford-slashes-sync-price-by-100-coming-to-all-models-in-three-y/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20005004/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/01/ford-slashes-sync-price-by-100-coming-to-all-models-in-three-y/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2012 ford edge</category><category>2012 ford explorer</category><category>ford</category><category>ford sync</category><category>sync</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[OnNotice? Ford beta-testing live operators through Sync]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/13/onnotice-ford-beta-testing-live-operators-through-sync/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/13/onnotice-ford-beta-testing-live-operators-through-sync/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/13/onnotice-ford-beta-testing-live-operators-through-sync/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/lincoln/" rel="tag">Lincoln</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/infotainment/" rel="tag">Infotainment</a></p><a href="/2011/07/12/onnotice-ford-beta-testing-live-operators-through-sync/#continued"><img alt="Ford Sync Services" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/12edgeltd09-630op.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/Sync/">Sync</a> Services - <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford's</a> lesser-known on-demand, voice-activated news and information service - has begun running a very <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/OnStar/">OnStar</a>-like beta. The new system allows registered Sync customers to connect with a live operator to fulfill business searches and address entry, but don't think of it as a replacement for the standard cadre of voice-activated features.<br />
<br />
Ford has found that 70 percent of all Sync Services calls are for business searches and address input, and in the latter's case, the system is best used if Sync's voice-translation function doesn't input the proper address. All owners have to do to use the service is ask for "Operator" and the Live Operator Assistance feature connects them with a living, breathing human being. Addresses can be sent to the car for turn-by-turn navigation, along with POI searches, and for the time being, it's free for all Sync Services customers. <a href="/2011/07/12/onnotice-ford-beta-testing-live-operators-through-sync/#continued">Make the jump</a> for the full details.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/13/onnotice-ford-beta-testing-live-operators-through-sync/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>OnNotice? Ford beta-testing live operators through Sync</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/13/onnotice-ford-beta-testing-live-operators-through-sync/">OnNotice? Ford beta-testing live operators through Sync</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/13/onnotice-ford-beta-testing-live-operators-through-sync/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19989371/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/13/onnotice-ford-beta-testing-live-operators-through-sync/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ford</category><category>ford sync</category><category>lincoln</category><category>onstar</category><category>sync</category><category>sync services</category><category>telematics</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford talks Sync tweaks, adding airbag seatbelts to more models]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/ford-talks-sync-tweaks-adding-airbag-seatbelts-to-more-models/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/ford-talks-sync-tweaks-adding-airbag-seatbelts-to-more-models/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/ford-talks-sync-tweaks-adding-airbag-seatbelts-to-more-models/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/lincoln/" rel="tag">Lincoln</a></p><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110622/BUSINESS01/106220339/1014/rss13"><img alt="Ford Dash witn Sync and MyFord Touch" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/sync-630.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> says that it's in the process of responding to customers who feel that the company's <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/sync">Sync</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/myford touch">MyFord Touch</a> systems are cumbersome or difficult to use. According to the <em>Detroit Free Press,</em> the company's internal quality evaluations have discovered a few issues. While speaking to reporters, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/mark fields">Mark Fields</a>, Ford's President of the Americas, said that the automaker is committed to improving the connectivity options in its vehicles, adding that by and large, customers enjoy the features. So far, it's unclear exactly what changes Ford will make to Sync and MyFord Touch/My Lincoln Touch moving forward, but we'd wager that software engineers will focus on further improving the software's voice-recognition system, though many Autoblog staffers hope they also reevaluate MyFord Touch's control scheme.<br />
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Fields also made it clear that the Blue Oval plans to expand its Sync AppLink service to the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/fusion">2012 Fusion</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/f-150">F-Series</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/expedition">Expedition</a> and even the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/mustang">Mustan</a>g. Currently, the $395 option is only available on the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/fiesta">Fiesta</a>, and it allows buyers to download various smartphone applications straight to their vehicle.<br />
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Finally, the Dearborn-based automaker said that we can also expect to see more seatbelts with integrated airbags crop up across is Ford and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/lincoln">Lincoln</a> lines. Right now, the safety device is only an option on the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/explorer">2011 Ford Explorer</a>.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/ford-talks-sync-tweaks-adding-airbag-seatbelts-to-more-models/">Ford talks Sync tweaks, adding airbag seatbelts to more models</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/ford-talks-sync-tweaks-adding-airbag-seatbelts-to-more-models/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19973454/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/ford-talks-sync-tweaks-adding-airbag-seatbelts-to-more-models/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ford</category><category>ford sync</category><category>lincoln</category><category>mark fields</category><category>microsoft sync</category><category>my ford touch</category><category>myford touch</category><category>mylincoln touch</category><category>sync</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Bowman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:01:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Designated Distraction? SYNC begins offering Fantasy Baseball updates]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/20/designated-distraction-sync-begins-offering-fantasy-baseball-up/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/20/designated-distraction-sync-begins-offering-fantasy-baseball-up/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/20/designated-distraction-sync-begins-offering-fantasy-baseball-up/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/lincoln/" rel="tag">Lincoln</a></p><a href="/2011/06/20/designated-distraction-sync-begins-offering-fantasy-baseball-up/#continued"><img alt="ford edge with myford touch" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/11myfordtouch01-630op.jpg" style="width: 630px; height: 476px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a><br />
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The <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/sync/">Ford SYNC</a> hands-free tech has proven to be a well-liked commodity over the past several years, in part because the automaker continues to update the feature-packed system. Now the automaker is catering to the estimated seven million fantasy baseball fans with on-demand weekly statistic updates right from the comfort of the driver's seat of a SYNC-equipped <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford</a> or <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/lincoln/">Lincoln</a>.<br />
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To access hitting and pitching stats, the driver needs only say "Sports," then "Baseball," then "Fantasy Update" from Services. The system will then read off the leaders in batting average, home runs, RBIs, wins, strikeouts, saves and other relevant categories. Of course, the SYNC system will need a paired Bluetooth-enabled phone with a SYNC Services account, which is free for the first three years of vehicle ownership.<br />
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Ford is hoping fantasy baseball owners will use this new feature to get up to speed on the latest fantasy baseball news, but we're a bit torn on this one. As fantasy baseball team owners, we're always up for any news and analysis that will help us win. Typically, though, we want that information in front of us when we set our lineups, and we can't do that sort of thing while driving.<br />
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Then again, we're sure many fantasy baseball fans will take whatever info they can get when they can get it. We'll just have to see how the new feature works in person. <a href="/2011/06/20/designated-distraction-sync-begins-offering-fantasy-baseball-up/#continued">Hit the jump</a> to read over the Ford press release.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/20/designated-distraction-sync-begins-offering-fantasy-baseball-up/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Designated Distraction? SYNC begins offering Fantasy Baseball updates</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/20/designated-distraction-sync-begins-offering-fantasy-baseball-up/">Designated Distraction? SYNC begins offering Fantasy Baseball updates</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:58:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/20/designated-distraction-sync-begins-offering-fantasy-baseball-up/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19970554/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/20/designated-distraction-sync-begins-offering-fantasy-baseball-up/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>baseball</category><category>bluetooth</category><category>fantasy baseball</category><category>ford</category><category>ford sync</category><category>lincoln</category><category>mlb</category><category>sync</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:58:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Paging Dr. SYNC: Ford developing in-car monitoring of motorist health [w/video]]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/paging-dr-sync-ford-developing-in-car-monitoring-of-motorist-h/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/paging-dr-sync-ford-developing-in-car-monitoring-of-motorist-h/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/paging-dr-sync-ford-developing-in-car-monitoring-of-motorist-h/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/" rel="tag">Safety</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/paging-dr-sync-ford-developing-in-car-monitoring-of-motorist-h/#continued"><img alt="ford allergy alert" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/syncallergyalert02hr.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid; margin: 4px 0px; width: 630px; height: 423px;" /></a><br />
<div class="iphone_hide" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; font-style: italic;">
	Ford bringing healthcare to your car - Click above to watch video <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/paging-dr-sync-ford-developing-in-car-monitoring-of-motorist-h/#continued">after the jump</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford</a> believes that in-car diagnostic information could be expanded beyond the health of your vehicle. In fact, the automaker is researching ways to make sure <em>you</em> stay healthy. Using its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/sync/">Sync</a> technology and in conjunction with medical professionals, Ford is developing monitoring services and applications for drivers who might suffer from chronic illnesses that range from diabetes to allergies.<br />
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Bluetooth, cloud services and Ford apps can work together with medical devices and services, keeping you abreast of a multitude of important health-related information. Ford hopes to provide glucose monitoring services, alerts for allergy sufferers and a connection to the <a href="http://www.welldocinc.com/" target="_blank">WellDoc</a> platform.<br />
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Ford is hoping to go even deeper into the realm of health monitoring and information. The automakers believes that it's not far from having the ability to bring the allergy alerts and glucose monitoring systems to production vehicles. Down the road, Ford hopes to offer systems that monitor the driver's heart rate and stress levels. That information would be useful for the automaker to determine how to make driving a less stressful event. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/paging-dr-sync-ford-developing-in-car-monitoring-of-motorist-h/#continued">Click past the jump</a> to watch a clip that provides a bit more insight into this research.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/paging-dr-sync-ford-developing-in-car-monitoring-of-motorist-h/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Paging Dr. SYNC: Ford developing in-car monitoring of motorist health [w/video]</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/paging-dr-sync-ford-developing-in-car-monitoring-of-motorist-h/">Paging Dr. SYNC: Ford developing in-car monitoring of motorist health [w/video]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 19 May 2011 14:59:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/paging-dr-sync-ford-developing-in-car-monitoring-of-motorist-h/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19944205/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/19/paging-dr-sync-ford-developing-in-car-monitoring-of-motorist-h/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>allergy alert</category><category>ford</category><category>ford health</category><category>ford sync</category><category>ford welldoc sync health alert</category><category>glucose monitoring</category><category>sync</category><category>welldoc</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Glucker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2011 14:59:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford's second-gen SYNC system off to a buggy start <i>*UPDATE</i>]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/fords-second-gen-sync-system-off-to-a-buggy-start/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/fords-second-gen-sync-system-off-to-a-buggy-start/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/fords-second-gen-sync-system-off-to-a-buggy-start/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/" rel="tag">Safety</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/lincoln/" rel="tag">Lincoln</a></p><em><img alt="Ford MyFord Touch dashboard" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/11myfordtouch01-630op.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; margin: 4px 0px;" /></em><br />
<br />
In 2010, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford</a> reinvented its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/SYNC/">SYNC</a> system with the launch of the refreshed <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/edge">Ford Edge</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/infiniti/mkx">Lincoln MKX</a>. But the new integrated system - <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/MyFordTouch/">MyFord Touch</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/MyLincolnTouch/">MyLincoln Touch</a> or what's known as "SYNC generation 2" - has been plagued by more than a few bugs. And part of the problem is due to its design.<br />
<br />
If one of its various functions trips up - navigation, phone or entertainment, among others - the system can restart. This can leave the driver faced with a blank display and a restart procedure that can take two to three minutes. Double bummer: It usually wipes out your paired phones and indexed music.<br />
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After talking with several colleagues who have experienced similar issues (including one where the volume was stuck on max while the A/C continued to blow cold air in 42-degree weather) and experiencing these issues first hand for ourselves, we called up Ford's Head of Technology Communications, Alan Hall, and got on the phone with one of the Blue Oval's engineers to see what's causing the issues and how the automaker is addressing them.<br />
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/fords-second-gen-sync-system-off-to-a-buggy-start/#continued"> Continue reading <em>Ford's second-gen SYNC system off to a buggy start</em>...</a><br />
<br />
<em><strong>*UPDATE:</strong> Official statement from Ford added after the jump.</em><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/fords-second-gen-sync-system-off-to-a-buggy-start/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford's second-gen SYNC system off to a buggy start <i>*UPDATE</i></em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/fords-second-gen-sync-system-off-to-a-buggy-start/">Ford's second-gen SYNC system off to a buggy start <i>*UPDATE</i></a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/fords-second-gen-sync-system-off-to-a-buggy-start/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19894577/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/30/fords-second-gen-sync-system-off-to-a-buggy-start/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>edge</category><category>explorer</category><category>featured</category><category>Ford</category><category>ford edge</category><category>ford explorer</category><category>ford sync</category><category>ford sync issues</category><category>ford sync reboot</category><category>FordSYNC</category><category>lincoln mkx</category><category>mkx</category><category>myford touch</category><category>MyFordTouch</category><category>mylincoln touch</category><category>MyLincolnTouch</category><category>sync</category><category>sync issues</category><category>sync problems</category><category>sync reboot</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Reilly Brennan]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford's SYNC now in three million vehicles and counting]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/fords-sync-now-in-three-million-vehicles-and-counting/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/fords-sync-now-in-three-million-vehicles-and-counting/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/fords-sync-now-in-three-million-vehicles-and-counting/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/03/fords-sync-now-in-three-million-vehicles-and-counting/"><img hspace="0" height="473" border="0" width="630" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/ford-2010107-1024-10-630op.jpg" alt="Ford Sync" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/sync/">Sync</a> first showed up in 2007, when it was offered as a $395 option in the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/focus">2008 Ford Focus</a>. Since then, the Sync system has gone on to find a home in nearly all of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/lincoln/">Lincoln's</a> vehicles. The infotainment system has helped <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/25/ford-transaction-prices-up-14-due-to-sync-other-technology/">raise the average transaction price of Ford vehicle sales</a>, and, after installing the three millionth system, there appear to be no signs of a Sync slowdown.<br />
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The customer has spoken and they want Sync. It comes standard on the Lincoln lineup but 80 percent of Ford customers spend the extra dough if Sync is available for their vehicle. As issues with <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/distracted+driving">distracted driving</a> continue to rise to the forefront of safety discussions, customers will continue to gobble up products like the Sync system. If a driver is able to stay connected while keeping his or eyes on the road (or at least consumers believe that to be the case), it may not be long until Sync celebrates its 10 millionth unit sold.<br />
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[Source: Ford]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/fords-sync-now-in-three-million-vehicles-and-counting/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford's SYNC now in three million vehicles and counting</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/fords-sync-now-in-three-million-vehicles-and-counting/">Ford's SYNC now in three million vehicles and counting</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:29:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/fords-sync-now-in-three-million-vehicles-and-counting/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19785114/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/06/fords-sync-now-in-three-million-vehicles-and-counting/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>distracted driving</category><category>ford</category><category>ford focus</category><category>ford sync</category><category>infotainment</category><category>lincoln</category><category>microsoft</category><category>microsoft sync</category><category>sync</category><category>sync system</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Glucker]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:29:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[AppLink software for SYNC comes to Fiesta first, adds iPhone]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/22/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/#continued"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" alt="Sync AppLink" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/applink-630.jpg" /></a><br />
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It's a good day for <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/sync">Ford Sync</a> users. The Blue Oval has officially announced two big leaps forward for the company's infotainment system for smartphone users. For the first time, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/apple">Apple</a> users will find that their <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/iphone">iPhone</a> is now fully compatible with Sync. Previously, the system was only usable with devices that used <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/rim">RIM</a> or <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/android">Android</a> operating systems. What's more, users can now control the applications on their smartphones using a hands-free, voice-operated system. So far, there are only a handful of apps that will gel with Sync voice activation, including Pandora internet radio, Stitcher news radio and OpenBeak (a Twitter client), though Ford says that there are more on the way.<br />
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The new and improved Sync will first show up in 14,000 Ford Fiesta models, though the free Sync application will eventually be equipped on every Sync-equipped Ford and Lincoln vehicle. Fiesta owners can get the ball rolling by logging into their Sync account online and pointing their browser toward the Update and Customize section of the site. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/22/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/#continued">Hit the jump</a> for the full press release.<br />
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[Source: Ford]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>AppLink software for SYNC comes to Fiesta first, adds iPhone</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/">AppLink software for SYNC comes to Fiesta first, adds iPhone</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:57:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19773977/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 fiesta</category><category>2011 ford fiesta</category><category>applink</category><category>fiesta</category><category>Ford</category><category>ford fiesta</category><category>Ford Sync</category><category>ford sync applink</category><category>iphone</category><category>smartphone</category><category>Sync applink</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Bowman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:57:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Will Ford's Sync lose ground to Fiat's Blue &amp; Me?]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/will-fords-sync-lose-ground-to-fiats-blue-and-me/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/will-fords-sync-lose-ground-to-fiats-blue-and-me/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/will-fords-sync-lose-ground-to-fiats-blue-and-me/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/fiat/" rel="tag">Fiat</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20101128/COL14/11280448/1331/BUSINESS01/Ford-may-soon-lose-a-competitive-Sync-edge"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="Microsoft branded auto USB port" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/blue-and-me.jpg" /></a></div>
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It recognizes hundreds of voice commands. It will interface with your Bluetooth-enabled smart phone. It was co-developed with Microsoft. Sounds like <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford's</a> popular SYNC tech, right? Sure does, but it also smacks of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/fiat/">Fiat's</a> Blue &amp; Me system that has been in production in Europe since 2007. The technology will be available stateside when the tiny <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/fiat+500">Fiat 500</a> goes on sale early in 2011. The cost? $500 in a base 500, and the system is standard on uplevel Sport and Lounge models.<br />
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Like the Fiat 500 itself, Blue &amp; Me certainly sound compelling, but it's one small niche product in a sea of cars, trucks and crossovers. Perhaps more significant is the fact that Fiat's infotainment tech could be available in Chrysler products as early as 2012. And while B&amp;M apparently doesn't do everything as well as SYNC, it also carries some advantages of its own. For instance, 500 Sport and Lounge buyers can shell out an extra $400 for an optional Tom Tom navigation system that interfaces with the voice command system. Fiat also enables drivers to download their driving habits to a USB stick and load it to a website called Eco:Ville. The site will process the data and give drivers tips for more efficient driving. <br />
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So will Blue &amp; Me become as popular as SYNC? Who knows, but at the very least it's nice to see that competition for Ford's system is on the way.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2010-2011-fiat-500">LA 2010: 2011 Fiat 500</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2010-2011-fiat-500/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/002011fiat500_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 Fiat 500" title="2011 Fiat 500" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2010-2011-fiat-500/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/012011fiat500_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 Fiat 500" title="2011 Fiat 500" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2010-2011-fiat-500/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/022011fiat500_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 Fiat 500" title="2011 Fiat 500" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2010-2011-fiat-500/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/032011fiat500_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 Fiat 500" title="2011 Fiat 500" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2010-2011-fiat-500/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/042011fiat500_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 Fiat 500" title="2011 Fiat 500" /></a></div><br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20101128/COL14/11280448/1331/BUSINESS01/Ford-may-soon-lose-a-competitive-Sync-edge">Detroit Free Press</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/will-fords-sync-lose-ground-to-fiats-blue-and-me/">Will Ford's Sync lose ground to Fiat's Blue &amp; Me?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.freep.com/article/20101128/COL14/11280448/1331/BUSINESS01/Ford-may-soon-lose-a-competitive-Sync-edge>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/will-fords-sync-lose-ground-to-fiats-blue-and-me/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19737318/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/will-fords-sync-lose-ground-to-fiats-blue-and-me/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Blue  Me</category><category>chrysler blue and me infotainment</category><category>chrysler infotainment</category><category>connectivity</category><category>Eco:Ville</category><category>fiat blue and me</category><category>ford sync</category><category>microsoft</category><category>sync</category><category>telematics</category><category>tom tom</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Shunk]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford transaction prices up 14% due to Sync, other technology]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/25/ford-transaction-prices-up-14-due-to-sync-other-technology/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/25/ford-transaction-prices-up-14-due-to-sync-other-technology/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/25/ford-transaction-prices-up-14-due-to-sync-other-technology/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101019/OEM/101019836/1254#ixzz12qBMl0at"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/ford-2010107-1024-10-630op.jpg"  alt="" /></a><br />
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It's no secret <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> wanted <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/Sync/">Sync</a> to become a sought-after value add for consumers, but it's probably news even to The Blue Oval just how much its desires have come true. From 2008 to 2009 the company's revenue per unit climbed from about $22,900 to $26,100, a 14 percent increase. Ford's VP of product Derek Kuzak said a third of that, about $1,000 per car, was due to newly available tech options.<br />
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True, Sync alone could take credit, with offerings like MyTouch also bolstering Ford's image in the eyes of buyers. Kuzak said another portion of the increase was due to people simply opting for higher trim levels. But one-third of buyers are said to have been swayed by SYNC, making it a great lead-in to get them into a pricier option. Ford is expanding its MyTouch system to 80 percent of its line, and there's sure to be more where that came from.<br />
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[Source: <a href="http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101019/OEM/101019836/1254#ixzz12qBMl0at">Automotive News</a> - Sub. Req.]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/25/ford-transaction-prices-up-14-due-to-sync-other-technology/">Ford transaction prices up 14% due to Sync, other technology</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:28:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101019/OEM/101019836/1254#ixzz12qBMl0at>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/25/ford-transaction-prices-up-14-due-to-sync-other-technology/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19681521/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/25/ford-transaction-prices-up-14-due-to-sync-other-technology/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ford mytouch</category><category>ford sync</category><category>mytouch</category><category>sync</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathon Ramsey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:28:00 EST</pubDate>
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