Archive for the 'Sync' Category

09
Mar
10

Ford SYNC offering Firewalls, Encryption to protect Car Drivers

By Ron Olson Leave a Comment
Categories: Future Vehicles, Sync, ford, safety, security and technology
Tags: , , ,

source: www.automotive.com

DEARBORN, Mich., March, 2010  With the rapid convergence of in-car technology and the Internet, Ford Motor Company said today it is offering a suite of security features to protect the personal information of millions of Ford owners from the threat of computer hackers and viruses.

Protecting customers is critical as Ford moves to the forefront of in-car personal technology.  Ford’s popular SYNC system allows owners to connect digital media players and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones to their vehicle’s entertainment system and operate them with voice commands.  The mobile phone also is a gateway to a number of Internet cloud services through SYNC’s Traffic, Directions and Information application that provides turn-by-turn directions, business searches and more.

As a result, Ford is adapting methods and technologies most often associated with the fast-paced IT world to secure its mobile device-to-car connections from unwanted entry.  Think firewalls, virus protection and password-controlled access.

Continue reading ‘Ford SYNC offering Firewalls, Encryption to protect Car Drivers’

04
Jan
10

Ford Adds New HD Radio Capability To Its Lineup

By Ron Olson Leave a Comment
Categories: Future Vehicles, Sync and technology
Tags: , , , ,

Offers iTunes tagging and crystal clear radio sound

Ford Motor has unveiled its new HD Radio technology with iTunes Tagging capability offering crystal clear radio sound. The company said that these new features are among the factory-installed customer conveniences and technologies that will be available in 2010.

According to the company, HD Radio receivers pull in digital radio signals and play them with improved sound. FM stations, for example, have near-CD quality, making it convenient for customers to select songs they want to download and purchase.

In 2010, Ford vehicles will offer familiar terrestrial radio, HD Radio technology, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and internet radio through Ford SYNC from bluetooth streaming audio capable smartphone.

In addition, up to 100 tags can be stored on SYNC until the iPod is connected to receive download of metadata. When iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of tagged songs will appear and customers can preview, if desired, purchase and download tagged songs from iTunes Store.

Continue reading ‘Ford Adds New HD Radio Capability To Its Lineup’

28
Dec
09

Ford cars to become Wi-Fi hot spots

By Ron Olson Leave a Comment
Categories: Future Vehicles, Sync and technology
Tags: , , ,

The carmaker announced Monday the next generation of its Sync system designed to let Ford owners plug a USB modem directly into a car’s built-in Wi-Fi, creating broadband Internet access to all passengers. Those in the car can jump online through any Wi-Fi-enabled device, from smartphone to laptop.

Ford said that this factory-installed capability will be available next year on certain Sync-equipped cars and that no extra hardware or subscriptions will be needed outside of an existing broadband modem, which the customer supplies. Ford’s Wi-Fi system will include WPA2 security, ensuring that only people in the car will be able to hop onto the network.

“The speeds with which technology is evolving, particularly on the wireless front, makes obsolescence a real problem,” Doug VanDagens, director of Ford’s Connected Services Solutions Organization, said in a statement. “We’ve solved that problem by making Sync work with just about any technology you plug into it. By leveraging a user’s existing hardware, which can be upgraded independent of Sync, we’ve helped ensure ‘forward compatibility’ with whatever connectivity technology comes next.”

Design by Ford and Microsoft, Ford’s Sync lets drivers make calls, play music, get directions, grab news and weather, and search for businesses and other information, all using voice and text-to-speech technology. Ford’s new Sync edition won’t be the first Wi-Fi technology to give people on-the-road Internet. Similar devices have popped up over the past year, some dealer-installed and some independent.

Autonet Mobile designs similar hardware for cars, as does a company called Waav. Autonet does require a subscription fee for its service–$29 a month for 1GB of data or $59 a month for 5GB. But it’s an independent device designed to work with different makes and models (though currently available as dealer-installed for Cadillac), while Ford’s Sync only comes with certain Ford vehicles.

28
Dec
09

Ford Taurus Is 2010’s Best Redesigned Vehicle

By Ron Olson 1 Comment
Categories: Awards, Design, Quality, Sync and safety
Tags: , , , , ,

The editors at kbb.com (Kelley Blue Book), a website providing new and used car information for the U.S. market, have awarded the Ford Taurus with the 2010 Best Redesigned Vehicle title.

The car was praised for its exterior design, modern interior and vast list of available technologies (among this electronic tools we can find Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, MyKeyparental programmability, Ford SYNC and Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link). This is a consecutive win for Ford, following 2009’s title, which was given to the F-150 pickup.

“The 2010 Ford Taurus delivers an ideal balance of engaging performance and passenger comfort, as well as a feeling of quality that positively pervades the vehicle,” said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for kbb.com.

Enhancement in relation to the previous generation and superiority in comparison with the competition is the criteria by which contenders for this award are judged. Exterior and interior styling, comfort features, technology, driving dynamics, safety, fuel economy and value are all taken into consideration by the editors at kbb.com.

The other top ten finalist, chosen from the dozens of redesigned vehicles tested, were (in alphabetical order) the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX, Chevy Equinox, Ford Fusion, Lexus RX, Mazda MAZDA3, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Prius.

28
Dec
09

FORD TAURUS NAMED INTERNATIONAL CAR OF THE YEAR

By Ron Olson Leave a Comment
Categories: Sync and Taurus
Tags: , ,

Los Angeles, Dec. 2, 2009 – The 2010 Ford Taurus today was named International Car of the Year (ICOTY) at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The ICOTY award honors new-year model vehicles that foster an emotional connection with consumers. The all-new Ford Taurus was voted the winner of the 14th annual award by a panel of 19 automotive media from around the U.S. representing top newspapers, magazines and Web sites.

“This award is not centered on power and performance. It’s about how a car reflects our personalities, lifestyles and self-image and how well the automaker achieves that goal through the design and marketing of the vehicle,” said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY’s creator and executive producer.

With its athletic, upscale design, the 2010 Ford Taurus combines class-leading technologies with confident, engaging driving dynamics. It features an impressive set of standard and available technologies that add convenience, connectivity, safety and value for customers, such as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert, MyKey™ parental programmability, Ford SYNC® and Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link™.

“Taurus is not just a car you need to get from point A to point B, it is a car you want to arrive in in style,” said Pei-Wen Hsu, Taurus marketing manager. “The new Taurus gives you a little blast of attitude and turns heads around every corner.”

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