SYNC Guide

What is VOYO? The World’s Most Advanced Connected Car Technology We have developed the world's most advanced, aftermarket connected car system. At the core of the VOYO platform is the ability to acquire and utilize the large amounts of complex data produced by modern cars. The VOYO controller is based on a specialized, high speed data logger that is typically used by auto companies in their development work. VOYO connects to the OBD-II port of your car, generally located underneath the dash. Any car built since 1996 has one, and most of VOYO’s Standard Features will be supported in a wide number of cars. For certain models/years of GM, Ford and Toyota, you will have the option to add our remote controlled Relays that increase VOYO's fuel savings and add unique security features. Additional makes/models are planned post Kickstarter. Depending on the vehicle, you may also have the option to upgrade to our Premium Pack services. See below for more details on VOYO hardware, Standard Features, Premium Pack services and supported vehicles. By the time your VOYO ships, you will be able to download the free VOYO phone App. It will provide you with a whole new digital experience and allow you to collect a wealth of information about your car as well as control its systems. The App will also guide you through the set up process and confirm that VOYO is correctly installed. The whole system is plug and play and is connected in under 2 minutes. No tools or automotive experience are required. Click here for VOYO's Kickstarted page.

Ford SYNC 3 - the Hot Dog Challenge

Ford SYNC 3 Voice Recognition Demo

MyFord Mobile Android Watch App

Ford SYNC 3 Easy Navigation: Video

Ford SYNC 3 with AppLink Delivers Voice Control of Smartphone Apps

ALL-NEW FORD SYNC 3 CONNECTIVITY SYSTEM LAUNCHING ON 2016 FORD ESCAPE AND FIESTA THIS SUMMER SYNC® 3 – Ford’s all-new communications and entertainment system – features faster performance, conversational voice recognition, intuitive smartphone-like touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface Other new features include seamless integration of AppLink™ for a simple way to control smartphone apps, Siri Eyes-Free capability for Apple iPhone, software updates via Wi-Fi, and enhanced 911 Assist® for subscription-free emergency calling in the event of a significant accident SYNC 3 to launch in North America on 2016 Ford Escape and Fiesta – on sale this summer – providing a safer way for Ford customers to connect their smartphones while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel Ford announced today its all-new SYNC® 3 technology debuts this summer in North America on the 2016 Ford Escape and Fiesta. The new communications and entertainment system is faster and easier to use with enhanced response to driver commands. With the debut of SYNC 3 for Escape and Fiesta, Ford is launching its newest in-car connectivity technology as an option in one of its highest-volume vehicles, Escape, and in its most affordable car, Fiesta. “SYNC always has been about providing a safer way for our customers to connect their smartphones in order to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford Motor Company vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Customers continue to tell us they want this technology, and they want it to be fast and easy to use – like a smartphone. SYNC 3 delivers on that request.” SYNC 3 features all-new hardware and software, building on the capability of the industry-leading technology that launched in 2007. Ford SYNC is now in more than 12 million vehicles on the road globally. Click here to see SYNC 3 in action. Easy-to-use voice recognition brings more capability Ford SYNC – the industry’s first system to widely and most affordably offer voice-activated technology to control smartphones – is becoming more capable by minimizing the number of steps needed to carry out commands. Selecting music, making a call or searching for a destination is easier than ever, thanks to SYNC 3’s simpler command structure. Ford was first to bring voice control to in-vehicle apps with AppLink™, and the experience is further improved with SYNC 3. AppLink allows customers to connect their smartphone to their vehicle and control compatible apps using voice commands or buttons on the vehicle display screen. AppLink automatically discovers smartphone apps including Spotify, Pandora, Glympse, NPR One and iHeart Auto (iHeartRadio’s automotive app), and displays each app’s unique graphics and branding. Music and news apps are automatically displayed along with other media sources – just like AM/FM or SiriusXM. Additionally, when connected to an Apple iPhone, SYNC 3 offers seamless integration of Siri Eyes-Free capability. Drivers can seek Siri’s help by holding down SYNC’s Push to Talk steering wheel button – much as they would on an iPhone to initiate a Siri session. Intuitive interface SYNC 3 is optimized for hands-free use. Plus, the all-new capacitive touch screen technology offers an experience similar to a smartphone or tablet. Quicker response to touch, as well as voice commands and smartphone-like gestures including pinch-to-zoom and swipe are central to SYNC 3 – along with crisp, modern graphics. On-screen complexity is reduced and control options used most are prioritized. The home screen features three zones – Navigation, Audio and Phone. Tile-like icons dominate, with a quick access function tray along the bottom making for a more straightforward user experience. Phone contacts are searchable via a simple swipe of the finger to scroll through the alphabet. With One Box Search, users can look up points of interest or enter addresses in much the same way they use an Internet search engine. Additional features, including subscription-free 911 Assist As with earlier generations of the technology, SYNC 3 provides subscription-free emergency service 911 Assist®. The customer’s Bluetooth-connected phone is used to dial 911 in the event of a significant accident – alerting first responders with vehicle location. With SYNC 3, the car relays additional information – including if airbags deploy, whether the crash is front, side, rear or rollover, and the number of safety belts detected in use – to help emergency call-takers dispatch appropriate resources to the scene. SYNC 3 now also features the ability to update software via Wi-Fi. Once a vehicle is set up with credentials for a home Wi-Fi network accessible in a customer’s driveway or garage, it can automatically download updates.

As you've probably already noticed, we've added new forums for the SYNC 3 system, which will aid in people better understanding which SYNC model you're using when helping with technical questions.

Ford SYNC Now Speaks the World’s Most Spoken Language Ford’s global in-car connectivity system Ford SYNC® will have Mandarin voice recognition capability with the arrival of the new Focus in China Extensive research was undertaken to ensure SYNC understands a wide range Mandarin accents, including the Beijingers’ drawling “er’s” at the end of words Customers of the New Focus will soon be able to make calls or play their favourite music using simple voice commands in Mandarin Ford SYNC Forum – When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and Ford has enabled its global in-car connectivity system in China to speak as the Chinese speak. The award-winning Ford SYNC® system in the New Focus will be able to speak and understand Mandarin – a language spoken by more than 1.2 billion people. SYNC’s hands-free technology allows customers to connect almost any mobile phone or digital media player to their Focus via Bluetooth® and USB connection respectively. Chinese drivers can then make calls or play their favourite music via a steering wheel-mounted control and Mandarin voice commands, all the time with eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. The New Focus is the first Ford vehicle built in China to feature the SYNC connectivity platform, and is also the first Ford vehicle in the country to have voice recognition in two available languages – English and Mandarin. The all-new Ford EcoSport will follow suit when it goes to market. Originally introduced in North America with three languages, Ford is working with voice technology partner and industry leader Nuance Communications to expand the reach of SYNC globally with an additional 16 languages, providing voice recognition capability in more languages than any other automaker offering voice control. SYNC is now installed in more than 4 million Ford vehicles. With this popular technology launching across Europe and Asia this year, Ford projects an additional 9 million vehicles will be equipped with SYNC by 2015. In China, where a recent survey showed that more than 60 percent of mid- to large-size car owners own a smart phone, SYNC offers a viable solution to those looking to be connected on the go. “We’re excited that SYNC will be available in Mandarin to our new Focus customers,” said Dave Schoch, chairman and CEO, Ford Motor China. “We’re committed to bringing global technologies to China and to making them user-friendly. SYNC in Mandarin delivers value to the customer through smart and convenient features that help keep them connected to their digital lives in a safer, simpler and smarter way.” SYNC goes local SYNC can recognise up to 150 unique voice commands in either Mandarin or English and cope with variations in accents and vocabulary. This allows users to take fewer steps and utilise more conversational commands to control SYNC features, making it easier to access more content by voice. Extensive research went into the development of the Mandarin voice recognition feature, with speech data recorded from about 2,000 people around China representing a broad spectrum of society and a variety of accents. They were asked to read paragraphs, give common greetings and recite numbers so that Nuance engineers can isolate the individual phoneme, or the basic unit of speech. This is why SYNC will be able to understand the wide-ranging accents from Beijing, Hebei, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Anhui, Sichuan, Chonqing, Hubei, Guangdong, Fujian and Guangxi. So whether the customer is a Beijinger who adds the “er” sound to the end of words or a Southerner who tends to blur the distinction between consonant sounds like “sh” and “s”, SYNC will have no problems carrying out the driver’s wishes. Nuance’s natural text-to-speech technology is also behind “Samantha”, the female voice of SYNC, providing drivers with a more natural, conversational experience with their Ford vehicle. All of these refinements are designed to encourage drivers to take advantage of the hands-free capabilities of SYNC and keep their focus on driving. Drive connected Powered by Microsoft, Ford’s open platform approach to mobile device connectivity has helped SYNC stand out in the industry for its ease of use, allowing for continuous improvement of the user experience. Unlike embedded connectivity systems, SYNC does not allow access to the user’s stored contact information unless his or her phone is connected, hence ensuring a high level of privacy. Using Bluetooth technology, SYNC can wirelessly connect up to eight different mobile phones to the New Focus through a process called pairing. Once paired and permission is given, SYNC will automatically transfer all the names and numbers in the phone’s contact list to the in-vehicle system. A microphone inside the cabin allows consumers to use their mobile phone hands-free while driving. Making a phone call is as simple as pushing a button and saying someone’s name. SYNC also enables New Focus customers to continue their mobile phone conversation as they get into the car – without the need to hang up – as the system will instantly connect to the Bluetooth®-enabled phone once the car is started. By seamlessly integrating with the mobile phone, SYNC includes the same features offered on the phone, including caller ID, call waiting, conference calling, a caller log, contact list, a signal strength icon and a phone battery charge icon – all conveniently shown on the New Focus’ centrally-located display screen. SYNC can recognize the user’s ringtone on supported phones and play it when a call comes in. If unique ring tones have been selected to identify specific callers, SYNC will automatically play those too. When connected to a compatible phone, SYNC can even retrieve text messages and read them aloud, including popular abbreviations and emoticons such as LOL (laugh out loud) and :-D (smiley big smile). Using voice activation, the driver can also send a reply from a predetermined list of 15 responses while on the move. Other than making and receiving calls, SYNC gives the driver full hands-free control over portable media players and USB storage devices. Users can browse their music collection by genre, album, artist, playlist or song title using voice commands. SYNC can even put together a playlist of the music the driver is in the mood for with the “Play similar” command or inform the driver of the song that is currently playing with the “What’s this?” command. The SYNC USB port also simultaneously charges the player as the music is being played. In China, over 70 percent of smartphone owners have instant messaging, music and search applications, or apps, on their phone. When paired with a compatible phone, SYNC also supports Baidu Ting and QQ Music, so that the driver can listen to their favourites on these popular music apps. Additionally, SYNC can wirelessly stream the user’s music collection on the mobile phone to the new Focus’ sound system via Bluetooth. All music played through SYNC is high-resolution digital quality. Intuitive MyFord Touch® interface First introduced in China on the Ford Edge two years ago, SYNC with MyFord Touch will also be available on the all-new Ford Kuga and the Ford Explorer. The advanced driver connect technology comes with a simplified voice recognition command structure. Utilising a flattened syntax, drivers can perform more tasks using fewer words, thanks to the improved SYNC vocabulary that recognises more than 10,000 voice commands. Consisting of an 8-inch colour touch screen in the centre stack and two 4.2-inch LCD screens in the instrument cluster, the rich and interactive interface allows the driver to easily access vehicle functions, settings and information through voice, the steering wheel controls or with a simple tap on the touch screen. The touch screen display located in the centre stack has been designed with a four-corner layout that captures the activities most important to the driver: phone, navigation, climate and audio entertainment. Functions are where they are expected to be and are always visible on the screen. A single touch on the appropriate corner will bring up the desired function or, in many cases, voice command can be used to adjust the controls. “We know people want to stay connected in their vehicles, so Ford is continuing to deliver that connectivity for them responsibly and safely,” said Rod Phillips, SYNC engineering manager, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. “Whether it’s SYNC or SYNC with MyFord Touch, we aim to make the voice-activated technology as easy to use as possible so that drivers can keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

Ford Delivers 4 Millionth SYNC In-Car Connectivity System; 9 Million More Expected by 2015 • Ford SYNC®, the voice-activated in-car connectivity system introduced in 2007, now is installed in more than 4 million Ford Motor Company vehicles • With plans to begin offering SYNC in Europe and Asia this year, Ford projects 9 million additional vehicles will be equipped with SYNC by 2015 • Powered by the Microsoft Windows Embedded Automotive platform, SYNC has created the “upgradeable car,” allowing new features and improvements to be seamlessly integrated on a pace with consumer trends and preferences • SYNC is now available on 100 percent of Ford’s 2012 retail product lineup in North America; all-new Ford Fusion and Flex are launching with SYNC as standard equipment – setting a trend for a hands-free, voice-activated future Ford SYNC Forum – Just one year after eclipsing the 3 million mark, Ford has sold the 4 millionth vehicle equipped with SYNC®, the industry-leading in-car connectivity system powered by Microsoft. Launching globally this year, Ford SYNC powered by Microsoft is forecasted to reach 9 million new customers around the world in the next three years. “SYNC has been a transformational technology not only for Ford, but for the industry,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president for Global Product Development. “SYNC has been integral to keeping pace with the consumer, delivering value through a constant flow of new features that keep them connected to their digital lives in a safer, simpler and smarter way while driving.” SYNC has evolved quickly since first introduced in late 2007 and grown to provide customers even more value, with no additional cost. Soon after launch, Ford added SYNC 911 Assist™, which connects drivers directly with 911 operators after an accident. It is the only in-car, non-subscription call-for-help system. Ford’s SYNC Services launched in 2009, providing voice-activated access to a cloud-based network of information including traffic, news, sports, weather, horoscopes, stock quotes and movie listings along with business searches and turn-by-turn directions. In 2010 Ford added SYNC® AppLink™ – allowing smartphone-equipped customers access to a growing number of popular apps using voice control such as Pandora internet radio and Stitcher. Operator Assist, introduced in 2011 and available through SYNC Services, gives users access to live help with business searches and turn-by-turn directions. The upgradeable car Ford’s open platform approach to mobile device connectivity has helped SYNC stand out in the industry, allowing for continuous improvement of the user experience and the addition of new features. “Listening to customers and monitoring consumer trends has helped make SYNC a ‘must-have’ technology,” said Kuzak. “We will continuously improve SYNC based on customer feedback with the availability of software updates and upgrades.” Ford internal research has found that customers who bought 2011 models of Ford vehicles treat SYNC as a must-have technology and purchase the system 82 percent of the time. Also, more than 80 percent of SYNC users said they are likely to recommend the system to others. And using information collected in customer clinics, Ford engineers have been able to pinpoint opportunities for improvement and are acting on it with plans to soon launch a significant software upgrade for existing owners of SYNC with MyFord Touch®. “SYNC has allowed us to create the upgradeable car,” said Kuzak. “With the SYNC platform inside the car, offering our owners updates will be very similar to what they experience with their smartphones and laptops.” During the customer clinics held after the initial release of MyFord Touch, customers said they wanted the system to be faster and easier to use with simpler graphics. Ford engineers listened, resulting in a major upgrade to MyFord Touch that will roll out in a few months as 2013 model year vehicles are introduced. Engineers and developers from Ford and Microsoft often collaborate on upgrades and other projects related to the performance of SYNC to ensure functionality with the Microsoft Windows Embedded Automotive platform. “Ford and Microsoft are driven by a common vision to give consumers the ability to combine their digital lifestyle with their life on the road,” said Windows Embedded General Manager Kevin Dallas. “Windows Embedded Automotive enables Ford more flexibility and extensibility to innovate, speed up the product refresh cycle, and evolve SYNC to keep up with the fast pace of the consumer electronics industry.” The upgrade will appear first on the all-new Ford Escape, and 2013 Flex and Taurus models. Current owners of 2011-12 models of Ford Explorer, Edge, Lincoln MKX and the 2012 Ford Focus will be mailed a USB memory stick equipped with the software upgrade at no charge. In addition to faster touch-screen response time, the software upgrade will include the following enhancements: • Improved voice recognition experience powered by Nuance • Tablet device compatibility • Audible.com audiobook support • Connected navigation powered by TeleNav featuring new map data by NAVTEQ • Improved phone compatibility • Gracenote album cover art database featuring the latest music metadata available

Ford Trials Complimentary Live Operator Assistance for SYNC Services; Free Business Search and Address Entry Support • Ford is beta testing an Operator Assist feature for the cloud-based network of SYNC® Services, giving all registered Services users complimentary access to a live operator for help with business searches and address entry for turn-by-turn directions • About 70 percent of calls to SYNC Services are for business searches and/or directions • SYNC Services provides access to more than 14 million business listings Ford SYNC Forum – Getting directions or finding a business using SYNC® Services has become even easier thanks to a new feature called Operator Assist that allows users to instantly connect with a live person. Operator Assist is only a voice command away, making it part of the growing list of cloud-based driver aids offered by Ford Motor Company. The new feature provides customers with the ability to safely connect with a live person who can quickly access information databases to help drivers get where they’re going. Operator Assist is currently in a beta test trial phase and being offered as a complimentary feature for registered users of SYNC Services. No additional software or hardware is needed. “Ford is committed to continuously improving the ownership experience and delivering the level of connectivity that customers want,” said Doug VanDagens, director, Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization. “By leveraging what’s available in the cloud, we continue to innovate and improve our customers’ experience without having to touch the vehicle or inconvenience the owner.” How it works Cloud-based, on-demand, voice-activated SYNC Services provides access to information about traffic, news, sports, weather, horoscopes, stock quotes, and movie listings along with business searches and turn-by-turn directions. Operator Assist is available for the directions and business search functions of SYNC Services. Seventy percent of all SYNC Services calls are for business search and directions, said David Gersabeck, product manager, SYNC Services. Using advanced vehicle sensors, integrated GPS technology and comprehensive map and traffic data, the SYNC Services automated system delivers turn-by-turn directions to the user. Further, with access to more than 14 million business listings, SYNC Services’ automated system directs users to the businesses they seek. Now, with Operator Assist, at any time during a business search or directions interaction between the user and the SYNC Services automated system, the user can say, “Operator,” confirm his or her request to speak with an operator, and connect to a live operator. This system gives Ford customers the choice of interfacing with a live operator or utilizing the interactive voice recognition system. “Our customers asked for additional assistance in situations where their voice request was not understood,” said Gersabeck. “If you want the most reliable user experience, enabling alternative methods for customers to access information will increase success, which is where Operator Assist factors into the equation.” In the event a user says an address or business that the automated system can’t identify, the user will be prompted with the option to connect to a live operator. If the user confirms he or she would like to speak with an operator for further assistance, the system automatically connects the user to the live operator. When a live operator assists with a business search, the user can choose to receive turn-by-turn directions to the business, receive a text message with name, address and phone number information about the business (applies to certain phone carrier networks), or be directly connected to the phone number of the business. When a live operator assists with address entry, the user can have the directions sent directly to the vehicle. “We want Ford SYNC Services customers to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can get where they’re going or want to go,” said Gersabeck. “Being able to connect with a live person at any time contributes to that peace of mind.” The live operator services are provided by MyAssist, a leading live assistance and telematics service company for individuals and businesses based in Stevens Point, Wis.

Ford SYNC to be More Multilingual as Vocabulary Expands to Industry-Leading 19 Languages * Ford SYNC® to expand its vocabulary from three to 19 languages, as Ford announces global rollout of the in-vehicle connectivity technology * New languages will be available first in Europe in 2012 with introduction in the Ford Focus * SYNC language expansion sets an industry benchmark for automotive voice recognition capability Ford SYNC Forum – Ford is expanding the reach of Ford SYNC globally with the European launch of its popular voice-controlled connectivity system, with the capability of now offering 19 languages. SYNC was originally launched in North America in 2007 with three languages. With the additional 16 vernaculars, Ford will offer voice recognition capability, powered by Nuance Communications, in more languages than any other automaker offering voice control. The expansion brings the convenience of SYNC to a much larger audience of potential customers, said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally, who kicked off the global launch of SYNC this week at the 2011 CeBIT technology show in Hanover, Germany. “We are pleased to announce that SYNC will soon be available to customers around the world,” Mulally said. “It is a smart and simple way to connect drivers with in-car technologies and their digital lives.” Teaching a car to speak At the heart of SYNC is the speech engine, and Ford is working with its speech technology partner, Nuance Communications, to deliver a similar experience across the multiple languages. Ford leverages significant investments made by Nuance to support the broad dialect coverage required in larger regions such as the United States. Additionally, regions such as Europe present unique challenges, in part because of the proximity of different countries and the resulting need for multilingual solutions. For the customer, that means SYNC can recognize 10,000 voice commands in any one of the available 19 languages, and can cope with variances in accents, vocabulary and local dialects. If a German customer, for example, is driving in Italy, the system can provide directions in German but will use the correct Italian pronunciation for street names. Within each international market, a unique set of abbreviations for text messaging also has been identified. For example, “cvd,” short for “Ci vediamo dopo,” was added for SYNC to read aloud, which basically means “See you later” in Italian. “We had to make sure the system would behave as people expect in different countries and different cultures,” said Mark Porter, supervisor, SYNC Product Development. “That means we had to solicit local, native-speaking input for common abbreviations used in SMS messages as well as support different units of distance and date formats.” Song titles and artist names posed further challenges. A German owner, for instance, may have songs by artists of German, American, Spanish and other nationalities on an MP3 player. Due to phonetic differences between the languages, the system must be able to recognize a name whether it’s pronounced in German or deep southern American English. “The in-car experience needs to be global in nature, supporting a variety of languages to ensure all commands, addresses and song titles are recognized, whether you’re from Germany, Portugal or France. Localization should not equal limitations,” said Arnd Weil, vice president, Nuance Automotive. “Working closely with Ford, we’ve customized the SYNC experience across multiple languages to ensure drivers in all regions experience the simplicity and convenience that in-car voice technology has to offer.” With the language expansion, SYNC with MyFord Touch will be available in: * U.S. English * U.K. English * Australian English * European French * Canadian French * European Spanish * U.S. Spanish * European Portuguese * Brazilian Portuguese * German * Italian * Dutch * Russian * Turkish * Arabic * Korean * Japanese * Mandarin Chinese * Taiwanese Mandarin (supported through Mandarin Chinese) Software, rather than hardware, solutions As with many SYNC advancements over the years, the expanded language capabilities leverage the system’s flexible, software-based platform for a cost-effective and efficient solution. Using a single, common hardware module equipped with Wi-Fi®, SYNC can be easily configured for language on the assembly line. An on-the-line server connects with the SYNC module wirelessly, determines the appropriate software installation – including language – and downloads the information to the vehicle. Using a common module and Wi-Fi installation avoids the logistics of stocking unique modules with every possible combination of language and capability offered by SYNC. In fact, Ford would have had to produce more than 90 different hardware modules to accommodate all of the different languages installed at assembly plants around the world. Voice poised to become primary in-car communication interface With independent research firms such as Datamonitor predicting that advanced speech recognition in the mobile world will triple by 2014 with similar growth for speech recognition in vehicles, Ford is ahead of the curve with the SYNC global language expansion plan. “Ford is committed to making voice recognition the primary user interface inside the car throughout the world, helping all drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel,” said Jim Buczkowski, a Henry Ford Technical Fellow and director of Electrical and Electronics Systems for Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. “This expansion of SYNC language capabilities is a huge step forward in bringing voice technology to every market Ford serves.” The Ford Focus will be the first vehicle to launch with SYNC in Europe in 2012.

I think this came out on the 2011 Fiesta first and now the Mustang. I suspect that it will make its way around to all Fords. It's a software update.

FORD MUSTANG OWNERS NEXT FOR SYNC APPLINK AND UNMATCHED VOICE CONTROL, ACCESS TO MOBILE APPS Ford will launch SYNC® AppLink next as a factory-installed feature for the 2012 Ford Mustang Click here to download related images. * 2012 Ford Mustang owners are next in line for SYNC® AppLink, the industry-first software application that gives SYNC users hands-free voice control of their smartphone apps * Mustang will be the first vehicle with AppLink integrated with Ford’s optional Voice-Activated Navigation System, adding enhanced access * SYNC AppLink for Mustang will first be demonstrated at the Pepcom Digital Experience, held in Las Vegas tonight, the day before the start of the 2011 International CES FORD SYNC FORUM – Ford will launch SYNC® AppLink next as a factory-installed feature for the 2012 Ford Mustang. AppLink is the free software program that gives SYNC users voice control of apps stored on their smartphone. Mustang will be the first vehicle that will offer AppLink with the standard SYNC interface, as well as be integrated into the optional Voice-Activated Navigation System, providing the additional convenience of an 8-inch touch screen for control. “Mustang is an exciting next addition to the AppLink portfolio, giving Ford the ability to offer more of our customers a smarter solution to using apps while in the car,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services. “We continue to move quickly and migrate smart technologies across our vehicle portfolio that deliver solutions customers are demanding.” Just a few weeks ago, Ford went live with AppLink as a download on www.syncmyride.com, available exclusively to 2011 Ford Fiesta owners for popular mobile apps, including Pandora internet radio, Stitcher news radio and OpenBeak. Adding AppLink compatibility as factory-installed content to the iconic Mustang puts Ford further out front in the race to integrate smartphone apps into the car and shows the company’s commitment to offer advanced in-car connectivity services and features to a widening range of vehicle owners. Recent studies indicate 46 percent of adult smartphone users have apps on their phones and 36 percent of those admit to using those apps while commuting. Mustang owners have historically shown a strong desire for connectivity in the car, with nearly 75 percent of Mustang buyers opting for the SYNC system at purchase. And for those who also opt for the Voice-Activated Navigation System, AppLink will integrate app access and control through the system’s 8-inch touch screen. “Our Voice-Activated Navigation System integration allows us to enrich the AppLink experience even further, giving customers an industry-first combination of voice control and touch-screen access to the apps stored on their mobile phones,” said Julius Marchwicki, Ford SYNC product manager. Codeveloped with Ford, the Clarion Navigation System available on Mustang is loaded with a number of features and functions designed to provide customers a superior level of connectivity and information, including an extensive set of navigation tools as well as up-to-the-minute news about weather, traffic, fuel prices, movie listing and more through Sirius Travel Link™. Cool infotainment features are also abundant with the Ford Navigation System, including HD Radio™ technology, a digital jukebox hard-drive that can store up to 2,400 songs and easy access and useful screen displays for SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio. And since the Navigation System is factory-installed, it also works seamlessly with SYNC. The navigation screen menu for SYNC apps first lists available factory-installed system apps such as 911 Assist™, Vehicle Health Report and SYNC Services through Traffic, Directions and Information. Tap the menu subset for Mobile Applications, and the Navigation System touch screen will then list the current SYNC-enabled apps found on the SYNC-paired smartphone that are ready for launch by voice command. AppLink is currently compatible with Android and BlackBerry devices, and with Apple iPhone coming in early 2011. Current availability of SYNC-enabled apps: Pandora Apple iPhone: Coming early 2011 Android: Available now (V1.5.3 or higher) BlackBerry: Available now (Version 1.1.6 or higher) Stitcher Apple iPhone: Coming early 2011 Android: Coming early 2011 BlackBerry: Late availability OpenBeak BlackBerry: Available now (Version 1.4 or higher)

Ford SYNC APP Offers 'On The Go' Navigation; Predicts Best Departure Times Ford launched the SYNC Destinations mobile app today for Apple iPhone, Apple iPad and Android-based devices, with BlackBerry smartphones coming soon. Click here to download related images. • SYNC® Destinations is a free smartphone app that gives SYNC Traffic, Directions and Information (TDI) users mobile access to search for and save destinations to their cloud-based SYNC Services account for easy access when back in the car • App includes Predictive Traffic, powered by Ford’s best-in-class traffic information supplier INRIX, providing users with recommended departure time, travel time and ETA based on current and expected traffic conditions along their route • Free SYNC Destinations app is available today for Apple iPhone, Apple iPad and Android-based devices and can be downloaded through the Apple App Store and Android Market • SYNC Destinations is available to owners of 2010-2011 SYNC-equipped, TDI-capable vehicles who have a registered and active TDI services account on www.syncmyride.com Ford SYNC Forum – Owners of 2010 and 2011 Ford SYNC-equipped vehicles that are Traffic, Directions and Information (TDI)-capable can now download a free smartphone app designed to help get them where they need to go with less hassle. Ford launched the SYNC Destinations mobile app today for Apple iPhone, Apple iPad and Android-based devices, with BlackBerry smartphones coming soon. Available at no cost, the app gives users of TDI services mobile access to a host of navigation and traffic information specifically designed to make any trip easier. “SYNC Destinations leverages the power of your smartphone to manage a user’s SYNC Services account and to plan ahead, sending destination locations to your car, and knowing what’s happening on the road ahead of you before you even get behind the wheel,” said Dave Gersabeck, SYNC TDI product manager. With the SYNC Destinations app, TDI users have an exclusive on-the-go link to their cloud-based SYNC Services account on www.syncmyride.com, where they can add, save and manage “Saved Points” or addresses. A maximum of 25 Saved Points can be accessed through the app. Locations added via SYNC Destinations are immediately accessible through SYNC Services once in the vehicle, with turn-by-turn directions delivered to the car only a few simple voice commands away. “With SYNC Destinations, you can be standing in line for a coffee, making impromptu plans with a friend or sitting at the ballgame, and conveniently add a new address to your Saved Points – without ever stopping to log into your account at a personal computer,” adds Gersabeck. With SYNC Destinations, SYNC TDI users can also better plan the when and where of their commutes, accessing real-time traffic information, reliable traffic forecasts and other time-saving features powered by INRIX, a leading provider of traffic information and driver services. Key benefits include: • Traffic maps with real-time speed, accident and incident information for all highways, interstates, arterials and city streets in 126 metropolitan areas across North America • Reliable traffic forecasts that predict how travel times are expected to change over time, based on sophisticated analysis of current traffic conditions, day of the week, season, holidays and related days, current and forecast weather, accidents and road construction, as well as other unique local events such as school schedules, sports games and concerts • Fastest routes based on current and expected traffic conditions as well as recommended departure times, expected travel times and ETAs that make navigating to daily destinations, whether across town or cross-country, easier than ever • Easy look-up of addresses for new destinations through local business search and address book integration “SYNC Destinations is an easy-to-use mobile tool that gives busy, on-the-go SYNC users the flexibility to search and save locations for quick access in the car, plus, with features such as predictive traffic, users can take some of the guesswork out of their daily trips by preplanning the best estimated time of departure to get around town quickly and easily,” said Gersabeck. Also specific to SYNC Destinations is a 5 mph lockout feature, which automatically halts the app from running on a smartphone once it is detected to be traveling in excess of 5 mph, helping drivers stay focused on the task of driving. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury owners of 2010 and 2011 SYNC-equipped, TDI-capable vehicles can download the SYNC Destinations app for free from the Apple App Store and Android Market. To activate it, the user has to enter his or her www.syncmyride.com login credentials. Once those credentials are submitted, the app confirms the user’s TDI subscription status, and is then unlocked and ready for use. Ford will feature demos of SYNC Destinations at the Pepcom Digital Experience media event in Las Vegas on Jan. 5, 2011, and then at the 2011 International CES consumer technology trade show in Las Vegas between Jan. 6 and Jan. 9, 2011.

SYNC APPLINK NOW AVAILABLE AS FREE DOWNLOAD; FORD FIESTA OWNERS FIRST WITH VOICE CONTROL OF APPS * SYNC® AppLink, the industry-first software application that gives SYNC users hands-free voice control of their smartphone apps, is now available as a free download for 2011 Ford Fiesta owners at www.syncmyride.com * Ford announces that Apple iPhone will be compatible with AppLink, along with initially announced BlackBerry by RIM and Android-based smartphones * Pandora internet radio, Stitcher news radio and OpenBeak are the first SYNC-enabled mobile apps, some of which can be downloaded today from Android Market and BlackBerry App World, and soon from Apple App Store * SYNC AppLink comes first to 2011 Ford Fiesta owners, with more SYNC-equipped vehicles soon to follow DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Ford Fiesta Forum – More than 14,000 owners of SYNC®-equipped Ford Fiesta vehicles can start celebrating the holidays now by treating themselves to the gift of AppLink, a free software program that gives SYNC users voice control of apps stored on their smartphone. The industry-first capability puts Ford out front in the race to integrate smartphone apps into the car. The AppLink download for Fiesta owners went live today on the SYNC owner website,www.syncmyride.com. “More and more drivers are using their devices and their apps while in the car,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services. “With AppLink, SYNC is a smarter solution for these drivers who choose to use these apps while driving – making it the only connectivity system available that can extend app functionality to the car using both voice and steering wheel controls.” Ford is also announcing a surprise new member to the AppLink family: the Apple iPhone. The popular smartphone makes for a powerful addition, and will be joining Android and BlackBerry smartphones as compatible devices with the software that allows apps to be controlled through the SYNC voice recognition system – a smarter alternative to manually controlling apps while driving. Recent studies indicate 46 percent of adult smartphone users have apps on their phones and 36 percent of those admit to using those apps while commuting. Moreover, the 2010 study “Staying Connected on the Go: A Look at In-Vehicle Smartphone Integration Systems” conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association reports that 55 percent of smartphone owners prefer voice commands as their user interface for in-car smartphone integration, making the business case for SYNC and AppLink even more compelling. “SYNC and AppLink work hand-in-hand to answer consumer demand for safer, smarter control of smartphones while in the car,” said VanDagens. “Ford has worked hard to be a step ahead or at least in step with the speed of the consumer electronics market, and to leverage the technologies, features and services we know our customers want to be connected to while driving.” Easy downloading 2011 SYNC-equipped Ford Fiesta owners need to log in to their account on www.syncmyride.com to access the free AppLink download in the Update & Customize section. As with any typical download, the AppLink software can be stored on a USB memory stick, and then inserted and uploaded to the vehicle via the SYNC system’s USB port. In-car installation takes less than 10 minutes. The first SYNC-enabled apps to market are Pandora internet radio, Stitcher news radio and OpenBeak for listening to Twitter posts. Once the AppLink upload is complete, customers can then visit their phones’ respective app store to download the latest SYNC-enabled Pandora, Stitcher or OpenBeak app to their smartphone as they would any other app. Current availability of SYNC-enabled apps: * Pandora Apple iPhone: Coming early 2011 Android: Available now (V1.5.3 or higher) BlackBerry: Available now (Version 1.1.6 or higher) * Stitcher Apple iPhone: Coming early 2011 Android: Coming early 2011 BlackBerry: Late availability * OpenBeak BlackBerry: Available now from http://m.openbeak.com and soon in Blackberry App World (Version 1.4 or higher) Seamless voice control AppLink makes the connection between app and SYNC fairly seamless and simple, using Bluetooth streaming on paired Android and BlackBerry smartphones and the USB port for a connected Apple iPhone. To access a mobile app with a SYNC-paired phone, the user simply has to press the VOICE button on the steering wheel and say the command, “Mobile applications,” followed by the name of the app he or she would like to launch. Once linked to Pandora, SYNC users can access their favorite personalized radio features, including creating and choosing stations, bookmarking songs for purchase, and giving songs a thumbs up/down all through voice. Command structure is intuitive and simple: “Play station classic rock radio,” “Bookmark song,” “Thumbs up” or “Thumbs down.” “Where before users would pick up their phone, taking their eyes off the road and hands off the steering wheel while driving to select a station and hit play, AppLink makes all of that functionality available through voice control, just like managing AM and FM radio or your MP3 player through SYNC,” said Julius Marchwicki, SYNC product manager. Similar voice command pathways and functionality exist for the Stitcher and OpenBeak apps. With Stitcher, for example, you can say the command, “Play station news” to listen to your favorite news radio or “Play station sports” to hear on-demand sports programming. Other popular Stitcher features such as skip station, thumbs up/down and “Add to favorites” are also available via voice. Through the OpenBeak app, drivers can simply say the SYNC command, “Read timeline.” In seconds, their feed is read aloud using the SYNC text-to-speech engine – a very similar experience to listening to talk radio. Additional SYNC-enabled apps and smartphone integrations are coming soon, said Marchwicki. AppLink will also be introduced on other SYNC-equipped new model vehicles in 2011. Ford will feature demos of AppLink at the Pepcom Digital Experience media event in Las Vegas on Jan. 5, 2011, and then at the 2011 International CES consumer technology trade show in Las Vegas between Jan. 6 and Jan. 9, 2011. More Resources: Ford Fiesta Forum SYNC My Ride

Will Ford's Sync kill Sirius XM? Ford SYNC Forum - Ford and Sirius XM Radio go together like chocolate and peanut butter, but new technology threatens to leave this Reese's in pieces. Ford CEO Alan Mulally was part of The Wall Street Journal's D8 executive conference last week, discussing the automaker's advances in digital entertainment. The integration of web-connected smartphones with dashboard consoles promises to more of a challenge than an opportunity for Sirius XM. Satellite radio hasn't had a problem winning over drivers who've tired of ad-laden terrestrial stations. But its premium price gets harder to justify when free and ad-supported alternatives begin to multiply. Ford was one of the earliest Sirius cheerleaders, and both companies have enjoyed a win-win situation ever since. Satellite radio service practically sells itself. Most carmakers provide factory-installed receivers along with several months of service. Within 90 days of the end of the trial offers, 45% of the car owners become self-paying customers. Sirius XM's fate has been tied closely to the auto industry. It's no surprise that the only two quarters that found the satrad star losing more subscribers than it gained -- the first half of 2009 -- were also bleak times for carmakers. The "cash for clunkers" campaign jumpstarted automaker sales, and both the car companies and Sirius XM haven't looked back since. Everything but the kitchen Sync In an effort to remain on the cutting edge, Ford approached Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) to develop an interactive entertainment and information platform. Ford introduced Sync three years ago, built on top of the Microsoft Auto operating system. The ability to call up voice-activated tunes sitting on your iPod -- and have them play through your car's sound system -- was pretty cool at the time, but clearly that hasn't gotten in the way of Sirius XM's growth. Satellite radio has tacked on millions of subscribers since Sync's debut. However, the growing popularity of smartphones -- most notably Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) app-running, Internet-surfing iPhone -- is taking on-the-go music where no iPod has gone before. Ford introduced MyFord Touch earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show. The system raises the bar with a customizable touchscreen, steering-wheel controls, and voice activation for everything from climate control to ambient lighting. There's also turn-by-turn navigation, which translates into more pain for GPS guru Garmin (Nasdaq: GRMN). On-demand weather and traffic reports begin to stray into Sirius XM's territory, but clearly, the real threat to the 19-million strong broadcaster comes in MyFord Touch's seamless connectivity to audio entertainment. Bluetooth technology allows smartphones to work without any wiring fuss. MP3 collections are old hat, since Sync has been spitting that out through its speakers for years. The real challenge here is the instant access to countless web stations and music-discovery applications as a result of 3G -- and now Sprint's (NYSE: S) speedier 4G in select markets -- connectivity. This morning's Journal contains edited excerpts of Mulally's remarks. Sirius XM and terrestrial radio aren't mentioned at all, but music discovery site Pandora got a whole paragraph. "We got together with Pandora," Mulally says. "Now you can do everything you want with Pandora, and yet you're not doing it with your fingers." That's right. There's no need for poking screens or twisting knobs to scour through the unlimited amount of ear candy available. This also makes driving a bit safer, since drivers can even have their incoming texts read out to them as they drive. READ MORE HERE

Ford ADDS GOOGLE MAPS ‘send to sync’ service to beam driving directions into CAR; No extra cost * Ford adds Google Maps to its ‘Send to SYNC’ feature, allowing drivers to send destinations from Google Maps to their Ford vehicle through the cloud-based SYNC® Traffic, Directions & Information (TDI) app * Drivers download destination information into the vehicle via their Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones; the information will be processed into audible turn-by-turn directions, eliminating the need to bring printed maps into the car and helping drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road * ‘Send to SYNC’ launches later this month and will be available for existing 2010-11 models equipped with SYNC TDI; no extra hardware, software updates or costs are required

NEW FORD SYNC APPLICATION - TRAFFIC, DIRECTIONS AND INFORMATION - READY FOR FREE DOWNLOAD SUMMARY: • Current owners of early-launched 2010 vehicles equipped with Ford SYNC now can visit www.syncmyride.com and download and install the latest application – Traffic, Directions and Information (TDI) – at home for no additional cost • SYNC TDI connects a customer’s Bluetooth-enabled cell phone to Ford’s Service Delivery Network voice portal delivering turn-by-turn driving directions, real-time traffic, business searches and favorite news, sports and weather – all through simple voice commands • Eligible customers can download this latest SYNC application similar to the way they would download a song from an online media store such as Apple’s iTunes • TDI will be available on all 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with SYNC, including the all-new Ford Taurus, which arrives in dealerships this summer • SYNC, when available as an option, retains its retail price of $395, and includes a GPS receiver new for the 2010 model year; TDI services come with no monthly subscription fees for the first three years of vehicle ownership CONTEXT / BACKGROUND: FORD SYNC FORUM - Consumers continue to be fascinated with upgradeable, take-it-with-you technology. It started with Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs), which showed incredible promise due to their affordability and convenience. But then came the PC-like Smartphone, which bundled cell phone, Internet, navigation and other must-have data services, and consumers fell in love all over again. But despite their affordability, popularity of PNDs is decreasing. According to iSuppli Corporation, a market research and consulting firm specializing in electronic value chains, PND’s share of device shipments will decline to 30 percent by 2011 from about 50 percent in 2007. Meanwhile, navigation-enabled mobile devices such as Smartphones will grow to account for 36 percent of total navigation system shipments by 2011. But even Smartphones don’t offer customers in-vehicle integration and control of navigation capabilities. That’s where Ford steps in. The latest Ford SYNC application, Traffic, Directions and Information (TDI), ties together the advantages of both technologies, brings in even more options, and offers it in an affordable, widely available package. SYNC TDI leverages a customer’s existing mobile phone; includes an integrated GPS receiver to connect customers to real-time turn-by-turn driving directions, traffic reports and business searches; offers extra features and applications such as favorite news, sports and weather; and provides seamless voice-control of all these functions while in the vehicle – at no subscription cost for the first three years of vehicle ownership. DETAILS: Current owners of early-launched 2010 Ford Mustang, Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Lincoln MKZ, and Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid vehicles equipped with Ford SYNC® now can visit www.syncmyride.com and download the latest application – Traffic, Directions and Information – at no cost. Eligible vehicles must be equipped with SYNC, but not equipped with Ford’s voice-activated navigation system. These vehicles are outfitted with the supporting GPS receiver needed to run SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information. The SYNC application is an industry standout, where most add-on applications or services for consumer electronics, such as iPhones, have a fee attached. Easy Downloading Eligible vehicle owners can download the free software from www.syncmyride.com to a USB drive and then upload the application to their vehicle via the SYNC system’s USB port in their car. Customers also can have the application installed at their local Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership. The online download can be found in the Update & Customize section on www.syncmyride.com and is simple to complete, just like grabbing a online song for your digital music player. Once the software is downloaded to the USB drive, in-car installation takes about 10 minutes. The vehicle must be running to begin, and users will receive two completion messages – one approximately 60 seconds into the process and another 5-10 minutes later – for proper installation. Once the upload is complete, customers must reinsert their USB drive back into their computer to report successful installation on www.syncmyride.com , and then log back into their SYNC account to activate the application. A Voice Command Away Ford has partnered with Microsoft and other recognized companies – INRIX, TeleNav, TellMe, M/A-COM and Airbiquity – to enable the new Traffic, Directions and Information voice-activated services to seamlessly connect to real-time data via a customer’s Bluetooth-enabled phone – no integrated touch-screen navigation system or unsightly suction-cupped PND required. The simple voice command, “Services” gets the driver started, with the MicroSoft TellMe voice portal interpreting this request and ready to route it to the appropriate network partner. Users who say “Traffic,” for example, literally can receive personalized traffic reports based on best-in-class content from INRIX, a company that gathers real-time speeds, directions and locations from nearly 1 million commercial trucks and cars driving America’s roadways. In a text message sent to the user’s phone and broadcast over the vehicle’s audio system in real-time, drivers get the location and severity of accidents or new road construction causing areas of heavy congestion. Drivers requesting directions can use a variety of search criteria including a 14-million-plus business directory to find their destination, be it a favorite coffee shop or the location of a business meeting. Drivers can say “Search near me” or the name of the business and then say “Connect me,” “directions” or “text me the info.” If a user answers “directions,” a turn-by-turn route is downloaded from partner Telenav and is spoken to the user over the vehicle’s audio system and displayed on the central information display near the radio. All directions incorporate real-time traffic information therefore always providing the best route to the driver. With this new SYNC application, drivers can also personalize and categorize their favorite media topics, such as sports, weather and news using voice commands or through www.syncmyride.com. Users, for example, can personalize: • Sports reports featuring scores and highlights for any professional or college team • Current weather conditions and forecasts based on city, state or zip code • News of all types – entertainment, business, top stories and technology The new capabilities are in addition to SYNC applications that 2010 vehicle owners already have been enjoying including hands-free, voice-activated cell phone and digital media player integration as well as the security and convenience applications 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report. Service Delivery Network SYNC TDI is built on the Ford Service Delivery Network, a plug-and-play architecture that gives customers the ability to use a mobile device they are comfortable with – in this case a simple Bluetooth-enabled cell phone – to access best-in-class offerings from the mobile electronics industry. This network also gives Ford the power to mirror successful online digital stores, delivering value-add SYNC applications and updates through friendly and familiar software delivery methods – something no other automaker can claim. More importantly, the network makes these applications and services available to a wider range of customers and products. Customers that purchase more entry-level vehicles like the Ford Focus, where a navigation systems is not an available option, can now enjoy integrated capabilities such as turn-by-turn navigation through the affordable SYNC system. The concept of building a flexible, upgradeable service delivery network that takes the latest and greatest from the electronics world and appropriately applies it to the car has made SYNC a technological differentiator for Ford – and a market success. There are now 1 million SYNC-equipped Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles on the road. The upcoming full launch of SYNC TDI on nearly all 2010 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles will build on that momentum, with internal studies showing that roughly 1 in 5 non-Ford owners saying they would be much more likely to consider a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury product because of the breadth of features offered with this latest SYNC application. And Ford’s aggressive plan to further expand SYNC’s capabilities, as well as the way drivers interface with their vehicles, will continue to parallel the fast-paced world of consumer electronics.

Future Ford SYNC upgrade could include Pandora streaming Ford and Microsoft plan to continually update SYNC, and according to Charlotte Fisher from Ford's Design and Technology team, "every six to eight to twelve months we'll be delivering new services." One of the possible features Ford could include on future iterations of SYNC is streaming internet radio, and Fisher confirmed that Ford is currently "talking with Pandora." Can you say XM-killer? Hit the jump to watch a video of the new system in action. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

Thanks. We wanted something a little different.

I don't understand why the owner to owner can't be "live" in the sense that when you hit the post button, your post appears right away. I don't like having my post to be "approved." This site will gain traffic as more and more people find out about it. Rob Dearborn, MI.

Connectivity Solutions Go Beyond Music and Phone Calls Industry-exclusive Ford SYNC™ is a fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system that works with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players. Beginning later this year, SYNC will also provide accident assistance through ‘911 Assist,’ and will be able to send customers Vehicle Health Reports on key systems to help them plan routine service appointments and alert them to critical systems issues. One might expect this technology to be available only on luxury vehicles, but Ford SYNC will be offered on nearly every Ford and Mercury vehicle and will be standard on Lincoln vehicles in 2008. The 2009 models being added to the SYNC play list include the all-new Ford Flex and F-150; the 2009 Ford Escape, Escape Hybrid and 2009 Ford Expedition. SYNC will be standard equipment on the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS when it launches this summer. SYNC is Ford’s platform for smarter, easily upgradeable in-car connectivity. Already, Ford is moving beyond the music and the mobile phone to master technologies that will also connect customers with the real-time information and services that they want and value while on the road. * SIRIUS Travel Link is a suite of data services that links drivers to traffic and weather information, fuel prices at nearby stations and the most up-to-date sports and entertainment news – along with a 23,000-song personal jukebox. Broadcast through SIRIUS’s existing satellite and repeater infrastructure, the exclusive Travel Link feature launches in conjunction with Ford’s next-generation navigation system. Watch for it first on the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS this summer. * The new 2009 F-150 and F-Series Super Duty become true mobile offices with the Ford Work Solutions suite of technological tools for the working professional and commercial driver. In addition to hands-free mobile phone connectivity and voice-activated navigation, Work Solutions allows customers to monitor on-truck tool inventories, access and print documents and review engineering drawings from inside the cab.

Sync system puts Focus on top Adding the Sync entertainment and communications system to the Ford Focus propelled the car to the top of Kelley Blue Book's Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000. Advertisement Most of the cars save on gas and are adding technology, making them practical and fun, the editors at Kelley Blue Book said. The top 10 and the manufacturer's suggested retail price for the base models are: 1) 2008 Ford Focus, $15,280 2) 2008 Honda Fit, $14,585 3) 2008 Jeep Patriot, $16,055 4) 2008 Mazda3, $17,230 READ MORE HERE.

No. This was done to avoid confusion between the two sites since some people think they are run by the same group, which they are not. Rob