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Ford keynote hypes Sync interface with smartphone integration
FORD'S PRESIDENT AND CEO Alan Mulally told CeBIT that in-car voice control of smartphones and car features such as radio will be available next year.
The Sync system is focused around the voice activated controls that apparently will enable the driver to use both car and any connected devices features. Ford didn't give any specific date for Sync availability but said it would be available across a range of 10 Ford car models in 2012.
A key feature of the technology is that it will allow users to plug in their smartphones and be able to continue to use them whilst driving. A media hub that consists of an RCA jack, two USB ports and an SD card reader will mean users will be able to integrate various devices.
Ford's goal is to keep the system entirely open platform and it will apparently provide updates at no extra cost via download so more devices can be supported by Sync.
Mulally said, "The system will operate across 19 languages and will include over 10,000 different voice commands."
The cheesy scripted 'demo' of this system included voice activation of features such as in-car entertainment, satellite navigation, climate control and phone. Jason Johnson, lead user interface designer at Ford was reading commands as simple as "I'm hungy", to which the system using Michelin Guides proceeded to ask him where he wanted to eat and navigate him there.
Though the INQUIRER had no opportunity to ask questions about the technology, we wonder how, if there are so many commands, some of which are as simple as "I'm hungry", the system won't just annoy you by popping up every time you spout a casual remark.
Other innovations that Ford mentioned included a road sign reader, automatic braking, lane alert, emergency assistance and automatic parking. Again, we were unable to query Ford with specific questions, but the INQUIRER wonders why, if the idea is to keep drivers' eyes on the road, the system will show you what sign you just missed on a screen thus taking your eyes off the road, after which you'll be likely to need your Highway Code book to look up what it meant anyway. µ
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Try learning about the technology you are "trying" to slam!! Sync will not pick-up on your casual conversations had while driving down the road. You have to initiate sync by toggling the sync activation button...it will then listen and at that point you would tell sync a command. Come on use your head!!
You are just jealous because there is no other company out there that lets you install the internet onto your phone, car, or computer, so you can browse the web and point and click and cut and paste and multitask and do all of the things that are so DIFFICULT if not IMPOSSIBLE to do with any other software.
Give me my LoseDoze!
And you are still the same Mitchell who works at Microsoft Corp. and always complains when The Inq does not say how magical is your company?
BTW in this article they did not even mention that Sync is a Microsoft product...
Have you considered moving and renaming the Inquirer to say the Pessimist?
It seems like any technology especially Microsoft is not good enough and your articles focus on the negative with little to no positive benefits.
Id like to know what actual items writers for the INQ actually like without focus on parts they hate. But then its near impossible to get a review or article from your site without huge bias.