New Ford Models ‘Synch’ Cell Phones – Media Players

by Heather McLaughlin

Ford just announced that they are adding Microsoft software to new cars (in the factory) that will allow drivers and passengers to “Synch” up their mobile phone or other media devices to use while they are driving.

Mark Fields, president of the Americas for Ford, says you never have to download your address book again, and Sync is fully updatable and compatible with leading digital music devices and phones. If there ever were two more important ideas than updatable and compatible for the iPodders and other personal device addicts, I don’t know what they are.

Sync connects wireless phones or phones that also play music through Bluetooth, which is basically a short-range wireless system that interconnects your phone to the vehicle. Personal devices are connected through a USB 2.0 port. Then you are ready to transfer names and numbers from your mobile phone wirelessly into the vehicle and connect nearly any digital media player, including the Apple iPod, Microsoft Zune, PlaysForSure players and most USB storage devices.

It sounds like a great gadget for people that are more concerned with being entertained or at the very least, moderately distracted while they are behind the wheel of a car.

Newsday