Ford Teams Up with Microsoft to Deliver In-Car Digital System

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=25168' target='_blank'>http://media.ford.com/newsroom/rele...m?release=25168</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Ford Motor Company today announced the launch of a new factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system that is designed to change the way consumers use digital media portable music players and mobile phones in their vehicles. The Ford-exclusive technology based on Microsoft Auto software, called Sync, provides consumers the convenience and flexibility to bring into their vehicle nearly any mobile phone or digital media player and operate it using voice commands or the vehicle’s steering wheel or radio controls. Ford owners will not need to worry about whether their car or truck is compatible with the latest phone or music player that hits the market. Sync seamlessly integrates the vehicle with the popular portable electronic devices of today and is upgradeable to support the devices and services of tomorrow."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060108-fordcarent.jpg" /><br /><br />After watching Bill Gates' CES keynote, we were a little overwhelmed by Microsoft and Ford's plans to deliver an in-car digital solution (dubbed, Ford Sync) for Zune, iPod, and mobile phones. USB 2.0, Bluetooth, voice recognition, text-to-speech, ringtone support, you name it - they didn't hesitate to highlight all of Sync's great features, but amusingly, there was no mention of how the cars it's implemented in perform (with that much digital bling, did they forget the motor?). I guess they left that for the auto show in Detroit. ;)

[Joelacrane]

Of course they didn't mention how the cars will perform, because the cars most likely will not be any different. They will just add the option or feature to their existing cars. I wouldn't expect it to show up in their cheaper cars, like the Focus, but I'll bet it will be an option on the F-250's, Mustangs, Expeditions, and everything above. A Focus with Sync will perform like a Focus, and a Shelby Cobra GT500 with Sync will perform... um... much better than the Focus.

[Darius Wey]

Of course they didn't mention how the cars will perform, because the cars most likely will not be any different.

It was a joke, which perhaps, didn't come across too well. The point was there's so much focus on digital connectivity that it no longer seems like a car. ;)

They will just add the option or feature to their existing cars. I wouldn't expect it to show up in their cheaper cars, like the Focus, but I'll bet it will be an option on the F-250's, Mustangs, Expeditions, and everything above.

FYI, the 2008 Focus is included in the Sync debut line-up.

[Joelacrane]

No, I'm sure that someone laughed, I miss jokes constantly. I must be taking life too seriously!

I'm glad to hear that even the Focus will have this. It sounds really, really cool.

I've always looked forward to something like this, I hope that it proves to be useful. Now I have even more reason to like Ford.

[PPCRules]

Microsoft Auto software, called Sync, ...
Microsoft providing the sync software? Hmmm. I think I'll wait for version 5.1.

[Sven Johannsen]

Oh well, if it was anything but Ford.

[Darius Wey]

Oh well, if it was anything but Ford.

Heh, I've had a bad run with Ford, so I'm with you on that one. Sorry to all the Ford fans out there. ;)