Ford goes Internet crazy with MyFord Touch
Anyone who is thinking about buying a Ford automobile this year may end up with a whole lot more in the way of interactivity with their car than they ever dared imagine.
Getting into a Ford this year may be something akin to getting into a space capsule as Ford is updating its SYNC system to the new MyFordTouch. Using a combination of three LCD displays, you will now find your analog speedometer (how quaint) flanked by two 4.2-inch displays that will show you a bevy of different information about your vehicle. The third display is an 8-inch touchscreen on the center console that will give you access to entertainment and the ability to surf the Web, although thankfully the latter feature will only be usable while the car is in park.
This is the same system that we reported on last month that will let you use a mobile modem to turn your car into a Wi-Fi hotspot. We’re not sure you’ll be driving a car so much as a computer with four wheels.
Here is a list of all the insane features this new system will offer:
Media Hub
- Additional USB port for a total of two USB 2.0 inputs
- SD Card slot
- RCA A/V input jacks
Internet Connectivity
- Full Wi-Fi capability including Internet “hot spot” connectivity and a built-in browser for use while in “Park” (late availability)
- Integrated browser supports tabbed page navigation, “drag” to pan and scroll and a provides a 3-D carousel for bookmark browsing
- Support for on-screen and USB-connected keyboards
- RSS feed aggregator and text-to-voice reader
- Mobile in-car WiFi “hot spot” capability through USB-installed air card or USB mobile broadband modem
Phone
- Phone book contact photo download and 3-D carousel browsing
- Birthday reminders
- Enhanced error correction and reporting
Voice Recognition
- Direct speech commands and “flattened structure” for quicker, more responsive voice control
- Voice-command activation of selected climate control functions
- Voice commands will be available for most radio functions, including AM/FM, HD Radio and SIRIUS/XM® Satellite Radio
- SIRIUS Game Finder application will facilitate automatic voice tuning for desired sporting events using commands such as “Tune to Detroit Lions game” or “Show NFL games”
Navigation
- Improved visual presentation of SYNC Traffic, Directions & Information app including directional arrows, street names, and distance markers
- Map-based navigation app provided via an optional SD Card
- SD Card navigation includes SIRIUS Travel LinkTM services such as weather maps, movie listings, gas prices, and sports scores
- SD Card navigation also adds cities point-of-interest information including ratings and amenities
- Map data includes 3-D visual landmarks
Climate Control
- MyTemp personalization allows the driver to store a preferred temperature, which is then accessible with a single touch of the MyTemp button
- Different MyTemp settings can be programmed to different keys; multiple drivers in a household can each have unique MyTemp settings
Audio
- AM/FM/CD, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, USB-connected MP3 players and memory sticks
- New HD Radio capability
- Song tagging capability via HD Radio Technology, allowing listeners to identify song information and store it for later use
- Browse tracks by artist, scan lists of tracks with identical names, and browse through devices without having to change audio sources
- 3-D carousel album cover art and photo viewing displays allow easy scanning of available material, especially combined with Gracenote Media Management
- Media player equipped with new “Podcast” source category
- Enhanced Bluetooth® audio support including metadata, which allows additional command and control functions for capable mobile devices
Vehicle Setting Personalization
- Ambient lighting color control using a 3-D carousel browser
- Custom welcome messages
- Saved and transferrable user profiles that can be ported between Ford vehicles equipped with MyFord
- Door keypad code control using on-screen menus
- Where available, Active Park Assist and Rear View Camera displays
- Image and video uploading via SD card slot or USB 2.0 ports
SYNC Apps & Services
- Traffic, Directions & Information offers personalized traffic reports, turn-by-turn directions, business search, sports, news and weather via SYNC and the user’s mobile phone
- Downloadable destinations when coupled with the SD card navigation function; SYNC Service Delivery Network (SDN) will be able to send a destination directly to the vehicle
- Vehicle Health Reports will download service reminders and vehicle information directly to the in-car displays
- Improved 911 Assist™ capability with GPS location can call for help in the event of an air bag deployment
No word on how much this system will add to the price tag of the car, but we can’t imagine it’s going to be cheap.
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