| Microsoft and Ford get in "Sync" |
Jan. 09, 2007
 Ford Motor Company has announced a new factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system based on "Microsoft Auto," recently renamed from Windows Mobile for Automotive. Dubbed "Sync," Ford's new capability will become available later this year in a dozen 2008 vehicles from Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury, according to Ford.
Sync basically provides a connection between the vehicle and Bluetooth-capable consumer electronics devices such as mobile phones and media players, like Apple's iPod, Microsoft's Zune, and various PlaysForSure media players. Voice activation, coupled with buttons on the steering wheel, allow the devices to be controlled "hands-free," Ford and Microsoft say. Additionally, the device will synchronize with Bluetooth-capable phones and use the call lists contained in the phones.
Sync will communicate with lots of handheld devices
(Source: Ford)
Touted Sync features include: - Hands-free calling by name; Sync automatically connects with names in the mobile phone's contact list
- Connect to a call in progress
- Audible text messages -- converts text messages from the phone to audio; translates common text messaging expressions such as "LOL" ad ":-)"
- Voice-activated music -- browse the music collection on a digital media player, mobile phone, or USB drive by genre, album, artist, and song title, using simple voice commands
- Multilingual -- Sync is fluent in English, French, and Spanish
In addition to Bluetooth wireless, Sync provides a USB 2.0 port, on the dashboard, that enables connecting and recharging the user's devices.
Two capabilities that Sync won't offer, on the other hand, are email and gaming functions, eWEEK.com reports. "I wouldn't want someone driving next to me who's doubling down," Kevin Keling, marketing strategy manager for the Ford brand, reportedly said.
As reported by PC Magazine editor Bill Howard, Sync is an updated, and "much matured," version of Blue&Me, a collaboration between Microsoft and Fiat announced last year. Fiat had a one year worldwide exclusive on the software, and now Ford has a one year exclusive in the U.S., writes Howard.
Microsoft Auto
Microsoft describes Microsoft Auto as a "powerful, scalable, and flexible" software platform and hardware reference design that delivers integrated in-car communication, entertainment, navigation and information systems "faster, easier and at a lower cost."
Microsoft Auto's hardware reference design is most likely an implementation guideline for compatibility with Microsoft Auto software, rather than a fixed formula. Key features of the hardware reference design include: - 32-bit 400 MHz ARM11 processor
- 256 MB NAND flash memory, 64 MB DDRAM
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Vehicle bus interface
- Microphone for voice interaction with system
- USB 2.0 host connections
- IEEE 1394
- UART connections
- Cell phone module capable
- GPS receiver capable
The Microsoft Auto software platform is a recently renamed version of Windows Mobile for Automotive, according to a Microsoft spokesperson. Microsoft also offers a more basic automotive software platform called Windows Automotive, which is based on Windows CE.
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