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Ford Motor (F) developed its in-car "Sync" media and electronics package jointly with Microsoft (MSFT) years ago. it was really quite revolutionary for vehicles as that cost as low as $20,000 to have full factory iPod syncing and portable music player syncing abilities combined with voice navigation abilities. Sure, BMWs and other luxury cars have this, but Ford introduced it to the everyday car. It now wants to go a step further.Ford wants software developers to program applications for its Sync-powered cars much like they do for the Apple (AAPL) iPhone or Google (GOOG) Android mobile operating systems. Ford's Sync system features GPS and digital music capabilities that are ripe for custom programming.
For example, a Ford owner could say "find the nearest Starbucks" and the system could recognize the command, use GPS to find its location while driving down the road, map that against a national map of Starbucks locations and then give voice directions step-by-step to the driver -- all within a few seconds.
That's the kind of "app" Ford could use as a competitive advantage. One of the huge missteps of the auto industry has been the recent inability to integrate capabilities like this into all cars and trucks. Even the venerable Bluetooth wireless standard found in almost every wireless phone made is still a luxury upgrade in most cars. Manufacturers need to step it up a bit and realize customers are clamoring for these features. The popularity of the Apple iPhone proves it.
So, Ford's adoption of a developer community for its Sync system is a great step in the right direction. Ford's moves lately have been of a smarter company than it was just four years ago, and this is another decision down the right track in the gadget and convenience-filled the average U.S. citizen now lives in.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-25-2010 @ 12:54PM
mkburk said...
The prices of new Fords means that the most of us won't be buying any. Here in Dublin I have not yet seen one 2010 car of any make. For the past 2 years I have owned a 2005 Ford Focus Steel, and all I can say is that it is a cheap bucket of bolts. The engine is ok but the boot (trunk) could be an inch or two bigger. The logo on the front that hides the bonnet (hood) lock, breaks off in the car-wash. Oh! and just try replacing a headlight bulb. You have be a contortionist with vision in the tips of your fingers to see how the bulb comes out and how the clip fits in the tiny space available. If this kind of wishful thinking design, which must have looked great on paper at the time, continues in the new models, then I for one will not be buying a new Ford. Just as a matter of interest, I will never be buying a Ford car ever again.
Thank you and goodnight. Dumbdub.