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SYNC FTW: Ford adding mobile internet compatibility to USB ports

John Neff — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:29:00 EST

The SYNC system offered by Ford in most of its models just got a lot more interesting. In addition to giving vehicle owners super simple connectivity with virtually any phone or music player and the best voice recognition in the biz, the next generation of SYNC will add mobile internet compatibility to its USB ports. What does this mean? It means that if you've got one of those fancy 3G modems for your laptop, you can plug it into the USB port of your SYNC-equipped Ford and voilà! Your entire vehicle is a WiFi hotspot. Imagine the effect of adding easy in-car WiFi to a family of five's cross-country trip in a Ford Flex and you get the idea.

In-car WiFi has been around for a couple of years already, but all instances have required extra dealer-installed hardware (a receiver and router, specifically) and an additional monthly fee. General Motors announced just last week that it's adding optional in-car WiFi to seven Chevy models, but like most systems, you'll have to pay $500 up front ($199 after mail-in rebate through December 31st) for the hardware and $29/month for the service. With a simple software upgrade of SYNC next year, Ford customers will be able to use the 3G modem they may already have and get the same effect, without having to pay extra for new equipment and, most importantly, another monthly fee for internet. It's also an easy way for Ford to get WiFi in the car for SYNC's upcoming mobile apps.

SYNC was already a big reason for infotainment-obsessed car shoppers to consider a Ford, but at least when it comes to browsing the internet in your car, SYNC 2.0 with in-car WiFi just leap frogged the entire auto industry. Not only is the technology impressive, but this new feature actually saves the customer money rather than asking for more. Ford's official word on the matter, plus a video of SYNC 2.0 broadcasting its pirate signal, can be found after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading SYNC FTW: Ford adding mobile internet compatibility to USB ports

SYNC FTW: Ford adding mobile internet compatibility to USB ports originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2008: Bill Gates announces SYNC 2.0

Chris Shunk — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: CES, Safety, Technology, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

SYNC appears to be a big win so far for Ford, with the communications technology helping to move vehicles off dealer lots faster than vehicles without the system. Ford and Microsoft have been working to take SYNC to the next level, however, and the changes announced by Bill Gates at CES show that the technology is on an upward trajectory. Gates announced two new capabilities for SYNC that will help Ford offer a richer multimedia experience while competing with GM's OnStar satellite service.

First, SYNC will soon be able to assist drivers in calling 911 if an accident is detected. Drivers will need a SYNC-paired phone for SYNC 911 Assist to work, and since the SYNC simply uses the driver's phone, there is no monthly charge for the service. Ford tells us that it had to clear hurdles for 911 Assist because the government doesn't want systems to call 911 without human intervention, so a 10-second buffer gives drivers the ability to cancel the call. If the occupants of the vehicle are incapacitated, SYNC will automatically call 911 if the driver doesn't cancel the 911 call after 10 seconds. Ford points out that 911 Assist doesn't need an operator working as a 911 middle-man, giving it a speed advantage over OnStar. Hit the jump to read about SYNC's Vehicle Health Reports and Ford's official press release.

You can see a gallery of photos from the CES announcement here.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: CES 2008: Microsoft announces SYNC 2.0

Continue reading CES 2008: Bill Gates announces SYNC 2.0

CES 2008: Bill Gates announces SYNC 2.0 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES '08 Preview: Ford to show SYNC 2.0, in-dash HD and cheap gas-finding nav

John Neff — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:58:00 EST

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

Though GM's Rick Wagoner nabbed the honor of giving this year's keynote address at next week's 2008 CES Show in Las Vegas, Ford may grab the headlines with a suite of new in-car entertainment, navigation and communication technologies that it plans to implement across its brands in the near future. First up will be the second version of its popular SYNC interface, details of which are scant. Considering that the SYNC system's capabilities are already robust, we're not sure what else they can add to it and are eager to find out.

Ford will also be showing off its new SIRIUS Travel Link nav system, which gets updated in real time with all sorts of info from the SIRIUS satellites. Drivers can call up instant traffic data, weather, sports scores and movie showings, as well as plot a course to the gas station with cheapest fuel prices.

Finally, Ford will have its new navigation system sourced from Xanavi on display with what we believe is a ginormous 7.5-inch touchscreen and an in-dash hard drive that can store up to 2,400 songs. Hopefully it will also have the capacity to pause and rewind live radio like Cadillac's system in the CTS. We've already seen the Xanavi system's new, larger screen in images of the upcoming 2009 Lincoln MKS sedan, a car that's slated to be fitted with the gamut of Ford's new in-car technologies when it goes on sale this summer.

Keep your eyes on Autoblog early next week for when we start our coverage of the 2008 CES Show from Las Vegas. We'll have more details on what Ford and the rest of the auto industry has to offer in the way of electronics for the coming year.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: 2009 Lincoln MKS

Continue reading CES '08 Preview: Ford to show SYNC 2.0, in-dash HD and cheap gas-finding nav

CES '08 Preview: Ford to show SYNC 2.0, in-dash HD and cheap gas-finding nav originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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