Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[BREAKING: Hyundai developing competitor for OnStar, Sync... but new system needs a name]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/breaking-hyundai-developing-competitor-for-onstar-sync-but/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/breaking-hyundai-developing-competitor-for-onstar-sync-but/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/breaking-hyundai-developing-competitor-for-onstar-sync-but/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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

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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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothbreakingbreakingnewsconnectivityDean MackoDeanMackoFord SyncFordSyncGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMGPShaptichyundaiimmobilizerinfotainmentinfotainment systemInfotainmentSystemMicrosoftMicrosoft SyncMicrosoftSyncOn StarOnstarSat-navtelematictelematicstheft recoveryTheftRecoveryvehicle diagnosticsvehicle immobilizationVehicleDiagnosticsVehicleImmobilizationwireless connectivityWirelessConnectivityMon, 02 Nov 2009 20:31:00 EST<![CDATA[SYNC You Very Much: Ford to help Microsoft promote Windows 7]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/sync-you-very-much-ford-to-help-microsoft-promote-windows-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/sync-you-very-much-ford-to-help-microsoft-promote-windows-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/sync-you-very-much-ford-to-help-microsoft-promote-windows-7/#commentsFiled under: , ,



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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford syncFordSyncmicrosoftmicrosoft syncMicrosoftSyncsyncwindowswindows 7windows sevenWindows7WindowsSevenTue, 29 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2009: SYNC updated with Traffic, Directions and Information]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/08/ces-2009-microsoft-ford-update-sync/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/08/ces-2009-microsoft-ford-update-sync/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/08/ces-2009-microsoft-ford-update-sync/#commentsFiled under: , ,



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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESces 2009Ces2009ford syncFordSyncmicrosoftmicrosoft syncMicrosoftSyncsyncThu, 08 Jan 2009 07:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft sees in-car advertising coming]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/07/microsoft-sees-in-car-advertising-coming/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/07/microsoft-sees-in-car-advertising-coming/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/07/microsoft-sees-in-car-advertising-coming/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ford's SYNC system is winning friends left and right, with CNET giving it the nod as Coolest New Car Tech and The Detroit News calling it "the best $395 option of 2007". Sales of the Ford Focus, in which the system debuted, are up 22.5% this year, despite the car's iffy redesign. According to Ford, consumers are choosing to add SYNC to their cars two to one over those who skip it, and Microsoft, which supplies the software to run SYNC, has noticed this popularity. The software giant from Redmond has pretty big plans for its Automotive Business Unit beyond supporting Ford's SYNC system, and hopes to give its software system "daily relevance" within five years by networking infotainment systems with each other. A local search function, for instance, could offer multiple possible routes based on up-to-the-minute information gathered from the network.

All of these upgrades need to be paid for somehow, and Martin Thall, the General Manager of Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit, has suggested that they may integrate advertisements into the infotainment system as opposed to charging subscription fees like General Motors does with its OnStar service. After all, you hear ads on your radio and pass by billboards every time you get in your car, right? Would serving up advertisements or coupons to Starbucks while you're driving be a distraction, though? They better think this through carefully.

[Source: CNET]

Microsoft sees in-car advertising coming originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordmicrosoftmicrosoft syncmicrosoft-syncMicrosoftSyncsyncsync advertisingsync-advertisingSyncAdvertisingFri, 07 Mar 2008 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[In-car texting made easy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/06/in-car-texting-made-easy/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/06/in-car-texting-made-easy/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/06/in-car-texting-made-easy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ford microsoft syncford syncFordMicrosoftSyncFordSyncin car sync systemInCarSyncSystemmicrosoft syncMicrosoftSyncnuance textingNuanceTextingtexting drivingTextingDrivingSat, 06 Oct 2007 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford giving dealers extra training on SYNC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/07/ford-giving-dealers-extra-training-on-sync/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/07/ford-giving-dealers-extra-training-on-sync/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/07/ford-giving-dealers-extra-training-on-sync/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ford syncford technologyFordSyncFordTechnologymicrosoft fordmicrosoft syncMicrosoftFordMicrosoftSyncTue, 07 Aug 2007 10:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford's says SYNC goes over big at CES]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/12/fords-says-sync-goes-over-big-at-ces/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/12/fords-says-sync-goes-over-big-at-ces/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/12/fords-says-sync-goes-over-big-at-ces/#commentsFiled under: , ,



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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2007Ces2007editor's choice awardEditor'sChoiceAwardford cesford ces 2007ford microsoftford microsoft syncford syncFordCesFordCes2007FordMicrosoftFordMicrosoftSyncFordSyncmicrosoft cesmicrosoft ces 2007microsoft syncMicrosoftCesMicrosoftCes2007MicrosoftSyncpeople's voice awardPeople'sVoiceAwardsync ces 2007SyncCes2007Fri, 12 Jan 2007 10:07:00 EST