Ford Prices Sync At $395
Gadgets are hip and cool. But what good are they if they don`t play well with your most pricey gadget - your vehicle?
Good news shoppers and gadgeters - Ford prices its in-car entertainment system, popularly called Sync, at $395. The affordable price is designed to pull more shoppers.
The Sync, co-developed with Microsoft, will be available as an option on 2008 Focus, Edge, and Lincoln MKX models beginning in the fall of 2007. The Dearborn-based automaker plans to make the option available on nine additional models as well.
The Sync is powered by Microsoft software, and allows us to use mobile phones and mp3 players through our car’s in-dash audio system. At present, it is illegal in many states to talk on a phone while driving, the automaker`s new system allows drivers to control call functions, answer text messages and control their mp3 players with their voice or with steering wheel controls.
The innovative system allows drivers, using either voice recognition or steering wheel controls, to listen to their digital music players and have text messages on their cell phones read aloud.
Using either Bluetooth, names and numbers the user’s mobile phone address book are wirelessly and automatically transferred to the vehicle. For non-Bluetooth devices there is a USB 2.0 connection, InfoSync reports. The Sync is also able to host a number of digital media players, including the iPod, Zune and other PlaysForSure players. Music can be played in mp3, wma, aac, wav and pcm formats.
As new versions of the Sync software are released, customers will be able to download updates from the Web or a Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer. Ford says a list of compatible phones is to be released in the future, says the report.
In the near future, Ford is expected to share the technology with other automakers. There are lots of surprises in the auto industry. Isuzu Trooper radiator could be enhanced several times through the help of other marques. So it won`t be a shock to see the innovative Sync incorporated to GM or Chrysler lineup. Well, that`s nice to know.
Written by The Ford Newscaster on August 10th, 2007 with
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