Ford Sync

Ford SYNC is a factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. The system will be offered on 12 different Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles in North America for the 2008 model year.

Overview

Ford SYNC allows drivers to bring nearly any mobile phone or digital media player into their vehicle and operate them using voice commands, the vehicle’s steering wheel, or radio controls. [cite web |url=http://www.autotrends.org/is-ford-sync-the-voice-recognition-benchmark/ | title= Is Ford SYNC The Voice Recognition Benchmark? |date=2008-04-21 |accessdate=2008-08-05 |work=Auto Trends]

The technology was announced by Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally at the annual North American International Auto Show in January 2007. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates made an appearance via live satellite.

Ford SYNC allows various portable digital music players (i.e., the iPod and Zune) and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones to be operated with simple voice commands. SYNC can even receive text messages and read them aloud using a digitized female voice “Samantha.” SYNC can interpret a hundred or so shorthand messages such as LOL for “laughing out loud” and will read swear words; it won’t however, decipher obscene acronyms.Fact|date=February 2008

It is priced as a $395 option.

Ranked #4 on Popular Mechanics - The Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of 2007. [ [http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4224767.html?page=4 Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of 2007 - Microsoft Surface, Apple iPhone, Nintendo Wii Fit and More - Breakthrough Awards - Popular Mechanics ] ] Recognized by Popular Science magazine with a "Best of What's New Award" for 2008 in November 2007. [ [http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4224767.html?page=4 Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of 2007 - Microsoft Surface, Apple iPhone, Nintendo Wii Fit and More - Breakthrough Awards - Popular Mechanics ] ]

Vehicles offering Sync

The following vehicles will be offered for the 2008 Model Year with SYNC as either an optional or standard feature: Ford Escape [XLT Model]
*Ford Focus
*Ford Flex
*Ford Fusion
*Ford Taurus
*Ford Taurus X
*Ford Edge
*Ford Explorer
*Ford Sport Trac
*Mercury Milan
*Mercury Sable
*Mercury Mountaineer
*Lincoln MKS
*Lincoln MKZ
*Lincoln MKX

Unreleased 2009 Models offering Sync

The following vehicles will be offered for the 2009 Model Year with SYNC as either an optional or standard feature:
*Ford Expedition (Expedition EL MAX) with conversion unit
Ford F150
*Lincoln Navigator(L)

Features

*"911 Assist": In the event of a serious accident with an air bag deployment, the 911 Assist feature will make a direct call to a local 911 emergency operator. Before initiating the emergency 911 call, SYNC will provide a 10-second window to allow the driver or passenger to decide whether to cancel the call. If not manually cancelled within the 10-second window, SYNC will place the emergency call. A pre-recorded message will play when the call is answered, and occupants in the vehicle will then be able to communicate directly with the 911 operator.
*"Vehicle Health Reports": After setting their personal preferences online, users can access free car reports at any time using SYNC. This feature is not yet available, and will be released with SYNC version 2.0. All current SYNC owners will have access to upgrade to this version, when it becomes available. [ [http://www.fordvehicles.com/features/news/detail/index.asp?id=1664 Ford Vehicles: News: Article Detail ] ]
*Voice-activated, hands-free calling: Using the “Push to Talk” button on the steering wheel allows the user to access anyone on their mobile phone’s contact list by voice command.
*Uninterrupted connections: Pushing the “Telephone” button on the steering wheel will automatically transfer a current telephone call to the SYNC system without having to hang up and call again.
*Audible text messages: SYNC can convert text messages to audio and will read them out loud.
*Advanced calling features: SYNC displays the same features as the mobile phone used, such as caller ID, call waiting, conference calling, a caller log, a list of contacts, a signal strength icon, and a phone battery charge icon.
*Voice-activated music: SYNC allows you to browse through music collections by genre, album, artist, and song title using simple voice commands.
*Instant voice recognition: Allows users to avoid any complicated programming or reading aloud of prewritten scripts for SYNC to recognize their voice.
*Ring tone support: SYNC will play personal ring tones assigned to identify specific callers.
*Automatic phonebook transfer: SYNC will wirelessly transfer the names and numbers in a mobile phonebook automatically.
*Multilingual intelligence: SYNC is fluent in English, French, and Spanish. [ [http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/07/detroit-auto-show-ford-sync/ Detroit Auto Show: Ford Sync - Autoblog ] ]

"Italicized features only available on 2009.5 and later model years.

ystem

The system is based on an ARM 11 processor, uses 256MB of DRAM and 2GB of flash memory, runs Microsoft Windows Mobile for Automotive operating system [ [http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12760_7-9672096-5.html Ford and Microsoft in Sync for in-car infotainment - CES 2007 - Consumer Electronics Show Las Vegas - CNET.com ] ] and speech technology by Nuance Communications. Utilizing the USB port, SYNC's Windows-based operating system can be updated to work with new personal electronic devices, which consumers tend to swap out more frequently than their vehicles.

Its monetary cost to Ford seems to have been low $395 for the time whereas other manufacturers charged in the $1000 or more range, although all of the unassembled components listed above cost $30 to Ford, claims iSuppli in its investigation. [ [http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/36175/118/ The Cost Of Ford's Sync? $30. Its Value? Priceless. | Tom's Hardware ] ]

References

*Source: Ford Motor Company

External links

* [http://www.syncmyride.com/#/home/ Sync My Ride] - Official Website
* [http://auto.howstuffworks.com/ford-sync.htm HowStuffWorks Ford Sync] .
* [http://www.fordvehicles.com Ford Offical Web Site]