Ford Teams With Microsoft to Deliver In-Car Digital System

Ford Motor Company has announced a new factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system that's 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 vehicles nearly any mobile phone or digital media player and operate it using voice commands or the vehicle's steering wheel or radio controls. Sync integrates the vehicle with the popular portable electronic devices of today and is upgradeable to support the devices and services of tomorrow.

"Sync is what today's generation and todays drivers demand in connectivity," said Derrick Knzak, group vice president, product development. Ford Motor Company. "Not only does it offer hands-free phone operation and iPod, Zune or MPo player connectivity, it's built on a software platform that is upgradeable and will allow us to offer new features by simply upgrading the software."

Sync offers consumers two ways to bring electronic devices into their Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles and operate them seamlessly through voice commands or steering wheel controls:

* Bluetooth, for win-less connection of phones and phones that play music.

* A USB 2.0 port for command and control and charging of digital media players-including the Apple iPod and Microsoft Zune-as well as PlaysForSnre music devices and most USB media storage devices. Supported formats include MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV and PCM.

Sync will debut on the 2008 Ford Focus, Fusion, Five Hundred, Edge, Freestyle, Explorer and Sport Trac; Mercuy Milan, Montego and Mountaineer; and Lincoln MKX and MKZ. The technology will be on all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles in the near future.

Copyright Hearst Business Publishing Feb 2007
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