drive
Ford gets in Sync with the times
Ford Sync 3 infotainment system will launch this summer in the US. – AFP/Relaxnews pic, June 3, 2015.In 2007, Ford became the first carmaker to bring a connected infotainment system to market. However, the first-generation Sync system, developed in partnership with Microsoft, though innovative had some bugs. But rather than give up or adopt a competitor's technology, the company has continued to improve and adapt its own technology and with the third-generation system, Sync 3, it may just have cracked it.
Ford has attempted to distill the functionality and simplicity of a smartphone into the latest-generation Sync and as such the touchscreen responds to swipes and pinch to zoom, just like a handset's display.
But, more importantly, it has been working with voice recognition firm Nuance, which had a hand in developing Apple's Siri, to really improve the system's voice commands.
Ford claims that as a result, Sync 3 responds to natural, conversational voice commands, rather than very specific words and phrases.
The company's own AppLink technology is being carried over to the new infotainment system. This enables specific smartphone apps such as Spotify, to be controlled via voice commands when a smartphone is connected to the car.
AppLink is also agnostic, in that it will support either an iPhone or an Android device, and Ford has been working on it for several years, long before either Apple's CarPlay or Android Auto were at the conceptual stage.
Unlike its closest competitors – GM and the VW Group, Ford is yet to announce its plans regarding support for either smartphone system, but it is understood that Sync 3 systems will be compatible with both Car Play and Android Auto in the near future.
However, because the new system can be updated via a Wi-Fi connection, adding this compatibility should be simple enough for consumers. Just add the car to the home network.
Apple's earlier Siri Eyes Free system will be supported from launch, meaning that pressing a dedicated button on the car's steering wheel will access an iPhone's virtual assistant and the driver will be able to ask questions, make a hands-free call or get directions.
The new system will be coming to the Ford Fiesta and Escape in the US this summer and will be rolling out as an option on European and Asian Fords later in the year. – AFP/Relaxnews, June 3, 2015.
Please note that you must sign up with disqus.com before commenting. And, please refrain from comments of a racist, sexist, personal, vulgar or derogatory nature and note that comments can be edited, rewritten for clarity or to avoid questionable issues. As comments are moderated, they may not appear immediately or even on the same day you posted them. We also reserve the right to delete off-topic comments