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Before we get into the nitty and/or gritty of what Ford is up to with their pending Sync app store, we should share with you a few facts FoMoCo shared with us. In 2010 fully 28 percent of the driving population will be between the ages of 16 and 31. These folks, known as Millenials (though us altecachers still prefer "Generation Y") love their smart phones and social networks the way the Baby Boomers loved the Beatles and Generation X loved moping around and bad tribal tattoos.

As such, the number one access point to the internet is no longer a computer -- it's a mobile device.

Access to your favorite songs and phone numbers is one thing, but what about all those apps you've spent so much time downloading?
Now we turn to Ford's Sync, a piece of software developed with Microsoft's help using the Seattle software giant's Microsoft Auto platform. While on the surface Sync has often appeared as little more than a fancy way to spin songs off your iPod, in reality it's a sophisticated piece of middleware that allows the vehicle to harness the power of a given mobile device. In other words, Sync allows whatever Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicle you're driving to act as a controller for your iPhone/Droid/Pre/whatever.

Handsfree access to your favorite songs and phone numbers is one thing, but what about all those fancy-pants apps you've spent so much time (and maybe money) downloading? Are they to be totally forgotten while you're in the car? Admittedly, you might be saying "of course," but Millenials think different. Besides, what if there were smart phone apps that actually enhanced the driving experience? With your hands on the wheels and eyes on the road, how would you access them? Here's a larger point, how does the internet work at 70 mph? Ford thinks it's got the answers to most if not all of these questions.

Continue reading Ford goes open source, gets students to develop phone apps for Sync

Ford goes open source, gets students to develop phone apps for Sync originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidApp StoreAppStoreDroidfeaturedFollow MeFollow Me Sync AppFollowMeFollowMeSyncAppFordGoogle DroidGoogleDroidiPhoneiPodPalmPalm PrePalmPreSyncSync appSync App StoreSync StoreSyncAppSyncAppStoreSyncCastSyncStoreTue, 22 Dec 2009 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19289684/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/22/ford-goes-open-source-gets-students-to-develop-phone-apps-for-s/19289684/article-detail.xml 19289684 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/syncapp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/syncapp.jpg <![CDATA[Ford launches new free app for 2010 vehicles with SYNC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/31/ford-launches-new-free-app-for-2010-vehicles-with-sync/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/31/ford-launches-new-free-app-for-2010-vehicles-with-sync/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/31/ford-launches-new-free-app-for-2010-vehicles-with-sync/#commentsFiled under: ,



SYNC has given Ford a much-needed technology boost. The infotainment device provides motorists with features such as voice-controlled integration with MP3 players and automatic calls to emergency services in the event of an accident. For the 2010 model year, SYNC adds GPS hardware, giving owners access to traffic, directions, and information.

SYNC TDI works through your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone to deliver real-time traffic information and turn by turn directions. SYNC TDI can also be personalized to deliver real-time updates of sports scores, weather, entertainment news and more. There is no subscription fee, either, because SYNC TDI uses your existing phone service, which you're already paying for.

This update is now available at syncmyride.com for owners of SYNC-equipped 2010 model-year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models. The download only works with vehicles that aren't equipped with Ford's voice-activated navigation system.

To update your SYNC, load the SYNC TDI to a thumb drive, then start your car and plug into the USB port. SYNC will give you two completion notices; at one minute and again within 10 minutes. Once the download is complete, you have to reconnect your USB device to your computer, Log into syncmyride.com, and register the successful download. It's a bit of a bulky process to get SYNC TDI operational, but we're guessing real-time traffic, weather, sports, and directions will be worth your trouble. Hit the jump to pore over Ford's detailed press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford launches new free app for 2010 vehicles with SYNC

Ford launches new free app for 2010 vehicles with SYNC originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 May 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordinfotainmentsyncsync appSyncApptechnologySun, 31 May 2009 09:51:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19051788/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/31/ford-launches-new-free-app-for-2010-vehicles-with-sync/19051788/article-detail.xml 19051788 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/sync-tdi-580x_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/sync-tdi-580x.jpg -1 2