2008 Focus "SYNC" Official Photo's and info

[MEJ684]

I wished Ford would do a v6 w/ a factory turbo instead of adding another electronics option. Ill take more power over wireless anyday.

[chaz493]

Originally Posted by zx3lova

While car is for driving, sadly cars are coming more and more automated that we may be seeing 'I-Robot' self driving cars.

honestly that might be a good thing, there are too many people too stupid to drive on the roads already.

[rpvitiello]

Originally Posted by MEJ684

I wished Ford would do a v6 w/ a factory turbo instead of adding another electronics option. Ill take more power over wireless anyday.

and why the hell does ANYONE in the US need a v6 in a focus?! Besides the peformance enthusiest the vast majority of people never even floor there car theirfor they do not need more power. The focus does NOT need to turn into a stripped out peformance car, that is what the mustang should be. The focus needs to turn into a NICE c segmant car for a generation obsessed with technology. I don't understand why american cars are SO behind in adopting GPS, bluetooth etc in there cars. If ford does this in a "inexpensive" c segmant car with a good sound stock sound system they may get ALLOT of young people to buy this car.

It seams like since ford can not change the platform over to c1 now, they are rolling out as much "bolt on" tech and options as they can. If the give the new focus edgy styling, a nice interior, and LOTS of high tech options like this they may see focus sales go back up. Hell look at the civic. It has lots of "tech" stuff in it and has a futurestic feel to it.

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by igor2

The next generation of Ipod will not only play music and movies, it will also have GPS and Touchscreen.

Next gen iPod having intergrated GPS??? Are you breaking the story?? Where'd you get that info?

Not say it isn't true at all, just seems like a statement thats out of left field.

[rpvitiello]

Originally Posted by Thameth

Next gen iPod having intergrated GPS??? Are you breaking the story?? Where'd you get that info?

Not say it isn't true at all, just seems like a statement thats out of left field.

honestally that would not be all that suprizing as most of the garmin GPS devices have integrated MP3 players, and they are not much bigger than a standard iPod. Also GPS is in ALL CDMA cell phones BY LAW, so the electronics for gps are quite small and cheep at this point.

The "handheld electronic" market realls seams to be headed towards full integration. The final result will be ONE SMALL device that handles cellular comunication and moble web access, GPS navigation, audio/video/gaming entertament and still/video photography.

The first company to cram all that into an "iPod," that is. to have a user friendally interface anyone can use, easy connections with every other related device you own, and affordability wins.

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by rpvitiello

honestally that would not be all that suprizing as most of the garmin GPS devices have integrated MP3 players, and they are not much bigger than a standard iPod. Also GPS is in ALL CDMA cell phones BY LAW, so the electronics for gps are quite small and cheep at this point.

As i said, i'm not discrediting it or saying its a bad thing, just trying to figure out where the info came from since nobody else has posted that GPS will be in the next iPod......

Also why would CDMA phones require GPS "BY LAW" and not GSM phones????

[focaljet-1]

There are all kinds of "next gen" iPod rumors. They are just that... rumors. Apple does not announce future product plans*

*the rare exception was the "preview" of the "iTV" device.

You can be damn sure that "Sync" will do everything in its power to NOT allow an iPod to work.

BTW, the next Focus will finally be getting an AUX input jack.

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

There are all kinds of "next gen" iPod rumors. They are just that... rumors. Apple does not announce future product plans*

*the rare exception was the "preview" of the "iTV" device.

You can be damn sure that "Sync" will do everything in its power to NOT allow an iPod to work.

BTW, the next Focus will finally be getting an AUX input jack.

I know Ron, but GPS hasn't even been on the rumor sites.....

[rpvitiello]

Originally Posted by Thameth

Also why would CDMA phones require GPS "BY LAW" and not GSM phones????

to meet the e911 requiorments to tell the 911 operator where you are they use gps location information to tell them.

GSM phones find your location by cell tower tringulation. they use signals from multipal towers to come up with your location.

[Thameth]

I knew about the triangulation but i didn't know CDMA phones couldn't use the same tech.....

[focaljet-1]

Originally Posted by Thameth

I know Ron, but GPS hasn't even been on the rumor sites.....

A few of the far out rumors have brought up the subject.

My personal thoughts are that the iPod is still the industry leader by far, this coupled with the fact that Apple has taken some heat about coming out with new models so quickly, means that we will not see any major update to the iPod at Macworld.

[Z63R]

Please allow me to drive this thing even deeper into the bushes...

Thameth

I knew about the triangulation but i didn't know CDMA phones couldn't use the same tech.....

CDMA is an intereresting technology, and one I take for granted. Here's a bit-O-historical trivia:

Short for Code-Division Multiple Access, a digital cellular technology that uses spread-spectrum techniques.

CDMA is a military technology first used during World War II by English allies to foil German attempts at jamming transmissions. The allies decided to transmit over several frequencies, instead of one, making it difficult for the Germans to pick up the complete signal. Because Qualcomm created communications chips for CDMA technology, it was privy to the classified information. Once the information became public, Qualcomm claimed patents on the technology and became the first to commercialize it.

Unlike competing systems such as GSM, that use TDMA, CDMA does not assign a specific frequency to each user. Instead, every channel uses the full available spectrum. Individual conversations are encoded with a pseudo-random digital sequence.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/CDMA.html

[igor2]

I have the infor on iPod and GPS from a source I trust .. it was mentioned elsewhere - as Ron mentioned, but it was "confirmed" in my book by the rumor that Apple and DCX have a done deal for a fully integrated iPods in future Dodges and Chryslers ...

Basically the cars will come with iPod included, and the Dock integrated to the dash - you get in , pop the iPod in, and are on the way.

Also GPS is showing up on many other prototype DAP (Digital Audio Player) devices.

As always - it is still a rumor, until DCX/Apple confirm it, but I am waiting for it.

Touchscreen was all but confirmed from a patent listing for touchscreen iPod interface from about last spring.

Igor

[jinstall]

Originally Posted by Z63R

Please allow me to drive this thing even deeper into the bushes...


CDMA is an intereresting technology, and one I take for granted. Here's a bit-O-historical trivia:


http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/CDMA.html

The world standard is GSM and now using UMTS why must the US try and go against the grain?

[focaljet-1]

I've received some advanced information on "Sync", however I'm not at liberty to discuss it.

What I can say is that it's actually much cooler than I thought it would be.

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by focaljet-1

I've received some advanced information on "Sync", however I'm not at liberty to discuss it.

What I can say is that it's actually much cooler than I thought it would be.

Anything close to what i said.....?

[CheckMyVitals]

Originally Posted by Thameth

Anything close to what i said.....?

since what you said... I have officially put off my 80GB iPod purachase until further info is revealed.

I SO don't want a Zune, but if it lets me do what you suggested... I'm down

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by CheckMyVitals

since what you said... I have officially put off my 80GB iPod purachase until further info is revealed.

I SO don't want a Zune, but if it lets me do what you suggested... I'm down

Now is possibly the worst time to buy an iPod anyway. MacWorld is 4 days away.....

[CheckMyVitals]

that's also true.

Just read about MacWorld after I posted, and forgot I posted anything about iPod lust

[Thameth]

Full Official Info:

* Ford Sync™, powered by Microsoft Auto software, is Ford’s new fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system for mobile phones and digital music players.
* Sync will be available in 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products beginning this calendar year.
* Sync is the newest technology to emerge from the Ford-Microsoft relationship.
* Users can access their mobile phone or digital music player – including genre, album, artist and song title – via voice commands.
* Names and numbers in a mobile phone’s address book are wirelessly and automatically transferred to the vehicle.
* Sync can host nearly any digital media player, including the Apple iPod®, Microsoft Zune, PlaysForSure players and most USB storage devices.

FORD SYNC™ – TODAY’S DRIVERS DEMAND STAYING CONNECTED

FORD SYNC ™ FORD AND MICROSOFT TEAM UP TO DELIVER IN-CAR DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

DETROIT, Mich., Jan. 7, 2007 – Ford Motor Company today announced the launch of a new factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system that is designed to change the way consumers use digital media portable music players and mobile phones in their vehicles.

The Ford-exclusive technology based on Microsoft Auto software, called Sync, provides consumers the convenience and flexibility to bring into their vehicle nearly any mobile phone or digital media player and operate it using voice commands or the vehicle’s steering wheel or radio controls.

Ford owners will not need to worry about whether their car or truck is compatible with the latest phone or music player that hits the market. Sync seamlessly integrates the vehicle with the popular portable electronic devices of today and is upgradeable to support the devices and services of tomorrow.

“Sync is what today’s generation and today’s drivers demand in connectivity,” says Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, product development, Ford Motor Company. “Not only does it offer hands-free phone operation and iPod®, Zune or MP3 player connectivity, it’s built on a software platform that is upgradeable and will allow us to offer new features by simply upgrading the software.”

Sync offers consumers two ways to bring electronic devices into their Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles and operate them seamlessly through voice commands or steering wheel controls:

* Bluetooth, for wireless connection of phones and phones that play music.
* A USB 2.0 port for command and control and charging of digital media players – including the Apple iPod and Microsoft Zune – as well as PlaysForSure music devices and most USB media storage devices. Supported formats include MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV and PCM.

The ability to upgrade Sync, control all portable electronic devices via voice commands, offer a USB port to connect storage devices and recharge electronics puts this technology well beyond technology available today – including Bluetooth, hands-free offerings or portable music device connections.

“More than 80 percent of U.S. households use cell phones , and 60 million digital music devices have been sold. That’s a 50 percent increase from just 2005,” Kuzak said. “With such market growth led by consumers’ needs, Sync is the right new technology at the right time for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.”

Sync will debut this calendar year on the 2008 Ford Focus, Fusion, Five Hundred, Edge, Freestyle, Explorer and Sport Trac; Mercury Milan, Montego and Mountaineer; and Lincoln MKX and MKZ. The technology will be on all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles in the near future.

“Ford and Microsoft share a vision for a future where drivers are safely connected to the people, information and entertainment they care about while they are on the road,” said Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft Corporation. “Built on Microsoft Auto technology, Ford Sync delivers an in-car system that is an important step toward achieving this vision. Using software that bridges the automotive and consumer electronics industries, Sync will help revolutionize the driving experience by providing a simple system that intelligently connects mobile phones, music players, and more.”

Sync Features:

* Voice-activated, hands-free calling: Simply press the “Push to Talk” button on the steering wheel, and then say the name of the person you wish to call. Sync will automatically connect with the names in the mobile phone’s contact list.
* Uninterrupted connections: No need to hang up in the middle of a cell phone call as you enter your vehicle. Simply touch the Telephone Button on the steering wheel, and Sync will instantly connect to a Bluetooth phone.
* Audible text messages: Sync will convert text messages from your phone to audio and read it out loud. The system is even smart enough to translate such commonly used text messaging expressions as “LOL” and J. You can choose to reply from any of 20 predefined responses.
* Advanced calling features: Sync includes the same features offered on mobile phones, including caller ID, call waiting, conference calling, a caller log, a list of contacts, a signal strength icon, and a phone battery charge icon – all conveniently located on the radio’s display screen.
* Voice-activated music: Browse the music collection on your digital media player, mobile phone or USB drive by genre, album, artist and song title using simple voice commands, such as “Play genre Rock,” “Play ,” or “Play Track .”
* Instant voice recognition: Sync’s advanced voice recognition technology means when you’re ready to use your phone or digital music player, just speak simple voice commands.
* Ring tone support: For supported phones, Sync will play personal ring tones. If you’ve configured unique ring tones to identify specific callers, Sync will automatically play those, too.
* Automatic phonebook transfer: Sync will automatically and wirelessly transfer all the names and numbers in a mobile phonebook.
* Multilingual intelligence: Sync is fluent in English, French and Spanish.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

[wrcfocus]

Ford has already started marketing MS Sync on their site.
http://www.syncmyride.com/

[focaljet-1]

Please continue this discussion here:

http://forums.focaljet.com/team-pit-...formation.html