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Ford Improves In-Car Internet Radio

New SYNC technology upgrade said to enhance experience

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

January 8, 2010
It's only a matter of time before car entertainment systems are replaced by Internet-connected devices. At the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Ford has brought that day closer, not with a car-mounted computer, but an in-dash interface that connects with existing devices.

Ford's reasoning is simple. Tech-savvy consumers already have a smartphone or other device that connects to the Internet and can access information and entertainment media. What they need is a better, safer way in which to access it while in the car.

Ford unveiled its voice-recognition SYNC technology at the 2007 CES. Based on the Microsoft Auto platform, it allowed drivers and passengers to connect portable media players to their vehicle and interact with devices and vehicle systems through spoken commands. At the time, MP3 players were the devices of choice.

Since then, smartphones and netbooks have come along, and PC tablets are on the horizon, allowing consumers to access, not just music, but all types of information available on the Internet. At this year's CES, Ford rolled out a new in-car device control interface called MyFord Touch. It is designed to make it easier to interact these increasingly complex devices while minimizing driver distraction. For example, one app will read aloud a recipients text messages while the device is connected. Some apps will work only when the car is in park.

In-dash screens

The new system features a pair of 4.2-inch LCD screens, with five-way button controls built into the steering wheel. In addition, there's an eight inch touch screen and, of course, SYNC's voice command technology.

Rather than include a computer that will become obsolete long before the vehicle, Ford's technology will be an elaborate interface used to control the consumer's existing device, such as a smartphone. MyFordTouch will make it easier, for example, to call up and play Internet radio stations. Easy access to other entertainment channels could soon be in the works.

Ford is working with Electrobit, a provider of embedded software solutions to the automotive and wireless industries, to create an interface to allow phone application developers access to SYNC. Thus an application programming interface (API), which acts as programming interface for a particular phone platform, will enable phone software developers to create new applications for the vehicle, taking advantage of the input mechanisms and vehicle data the Ford SYNC platform provides.

"For example, it took only a few weeks to develop a phone demo application providing the vehicle occupants with Ford SYNC control of Pandora Internet radio stations," said Artur Seidel, vice president and general manager, automotive software, Elektrobit Inc. "This is an application that I use on my phone and would like to see integrated with my vehicle’s infotainment system. The convergence between automotive and consumer devices that Ford SYNC provides keeps accelerating."

High-tech Taurus

The interface has already impressed the auto industry, with Edmunds.com naming the 2010 Ford Taurus, which has the new system, with its Technology Breakthrough Award.

"We chose the 2010 Ford Taurus to receive the first annual Edmunds.com Breakthrough Technology Award because the vehicle offers an extensive and impressive array of electronic amenities that also represent an excellent value for consumers," said Doug Newcomb, senior technology editor, Edmunds.com.

Ford executives think consumers have been pleased with the company's initial technology systems and have high hopes for the upgrade.

"According to our research, 32 percent of customers surveyed indicate that SYNC was critical or important to their decision to purchase," Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in a CES keynote speech. "And with each SYNC upgrade, we see growth in heavy users."

Ford expects 80 percent of its fleet to carry the new technology within five years. However, safety advocates concerned about driver distractions like texting and talking on cell phones might have reservations about the plethora of new data available in the front seat.

Ford, for its part, says its system will reduce distractions, not create them.

"That's the whole point of SYNC technology -- to minimize the distraction of in-car use of mobile devices you love by connecting and controlling them by voice," said Ford VP of global product development Derrick Kuzak.

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