Ford is looking at new ways to make use of the latest smartphones in its US-market cars.
Ford's system, to be revealed at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas this week, is dubbed MyFord, and it says it takes its Sync infotainment system to a new level.
Among other things, motorists will be able to use a number of smarthphone apps through Sync. That includes Pandora, a popular service permitting users to create their own virtual radio stations around a particular artist or music genre, and Stitcher, a web service that provides numerous audio news feeds.
They’ll display on Sync’s touchscreen display exactly as they appear on an iPhone or Blackberry, according to Ford officials, but play on the car sound system.
“People have become addicted to connectivity,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s global product development chief. Ford is embracing the open-application philosophy of the Web," Kuzak said.
Ford is working with more than 40 partners to develop additional apps for use with Sync.
Paul Eisenstein
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I notice you attempted to downplay QNX. You do realize that roughly 80 - 90% percent of vehicles on the road that have infotainment systems use QNX, right?
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Re: Ford ramps up infotainment
Vauxhall Crestas had different shaped switches for different functions; it made them easy to find in the dark when you were fumbling for the lights or the wipers. I have iDrive on a BMW and it's bloody terrible to use when you're driving. I don't see any difference between texting on a mobile and using one of these wonderful new touchscreens - they're both bloody dangerous.
Re: Ford ramps up infotainment