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Voice-recognition technology, which is used for placing and answering phone calls and playing music via digital media players or mobile phones, is accessesable through a new technologically advanced entertainment and communication system. This may sound like it's out of a futuristic sci-fi flick from the '70s, but Ford has made it a reality with the Sync, powered by Microsoft. Sync is currently being offered in select 2008 models of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles and is scheduled to be in the entire lineup of Ford Motor Company vehicles for 2009. Entertainment, communication, and connectivity have become an extension of our daily lives and Sync offers a fully integrated automotive solution to fit these needs.
The Sync system is a factory-installed feature, offered as an upgrade to the audio and entertainment package. It includes a flash memory-based system, operated by voice commands and simple buttons mounted onto the steering wheel. The operating platform is based on a Microsoft Auto system, including 64MB of DRAM and 256MB of flash memory, and a 400MHz ARM 11 processor with the ability to upgrade and update its software. In the future, customers will be able to download the new versions of the Sync software from a website or a local dealer. Users interface with Sync's main text display on the stereo head unit/in-dash monitor or on a small LCD display at the top of the central controls. The user-friendly voice-recognition has truly evolved to an amazing interpreter of common speech.
Hands-Free CommunicationBluetooth Connection: The Cell and Sync Pairing ProcessTo connect mobile phones to the Sync system wirelessly, the phone and Sync must go through the pairing process. The pairing process creates a link key, or PIN, used for authentication while establishing Bluetooth connections between the two devices. To get started, first you must have a compatible mobile phone that is Bluetooth-enabled. You can check your phone for Sync compatibility at www.syncmyride.com.
To pair the two Bluetooth devices requires following the five basic steps:1. First, the vehicle must be in park with the car started, the radio on, and the Bluetooth function activated on your phone, typically located in the settings/tool menu.
2. Press the phone button on the steering wheel control or the main stereo control area and this will bring you to the phone menu, the radio display will indicate "no phone paired."
3. Press "OK," then "add devices," when "find Sync" shows in the display press "OK."
4. After the phone has detected Sync as a compatible device, select Sync in your phone as the device to pair with and enter the six-digit PIN shown on the vehicle's display.
5. When the PIN is entered, this will automatically pair the devices and the phone display will read as connected.
The Sync system will allow as many as 12 different phones paired, one to be in use at a time to the continuous Bluetooth connection. This quick and easy process should take a few minutes per phone, and you should not have to pair the couple again for future use.
Once you are in Sync with your phone, you can place calls hands-free while driving. By a simple press of the "voice" button, Sync automatically connects you with the names in the mobile phone's contact list. Simply say, "Phone" and the system will say, "Phone - Please say a command;" say "Dial" and the number to call and the system will repeat the number (as well as place it on the vehicle's display); confirm with a yes or no and the system will place your call. A conversation is heard through the vehicle's speakers - no struggling to juggle a handset or digging the phone out of a pocket. To disconnect the call, simply hold down the "phone" button for two seconds to end the call. This same button also allows its users to answer an incoming call.
One great feature is connectivity. If you are talking on your mobile phone while heading out to your vehicle, you can continue the phone conversation on the Sync system once you've entered. This is easily accomplished by starting the vehicle and pressing the phone button on the steering wheel and you're connected to your current caller and conversation. This allows users to put down the phone and get both hands on the steering wheel.
The Sync system will beep and the radio display indicates "new text message." Press "OK" to display the phone number or name-if it's in your phone book-of the sender. If you would like to retrieve your text message, press "OK" again (or the voice button) and say "read message." Sync will read your incoming text messages aloud through the sound system, using its text-to-voice technology, so you never have to pull your eyes off the road or hands off the steering wheel. Next, the system will ask if you want to reply to the message. If so, you can scroll through 15 basic pre-selected text messages to find one that suits your response.
Another convenient feature is the phone can be located anywhere in the vehicle, whether the back seat, underneath the seat, in a pocket, or in the trunk; and you can still make or answer phone calls with the Sync system.
Hands-Free EntertainmentUSB, Line-In, and Bluetooth Streaming AudioWith the millions of iPods and other digital music players, the abundance of music content has never been so accessible, portable and obtainable. Sync offers an easy solution to connect your iPod or other media player by plugging in the device into the USB 2.0 port or auxiliary input jack. However, a device capable of plugging into the USB port can typically be read, sorted and controlled by the Sync system. This allows users to use voice commands to operate an iPod, Zune, or music saved on a memory stick. Finding and playing music by voice commands seems to be a safer approach to changing playlists or song titles, and it is fairly simple to operate. You are still able to access, search, and navigate through digital music via the radio controls. However, hands-free access to your music library doesn't require scrolling through albums, playlists, or any other way to search for music, and again, keeps your eyes on the road.
By pressing the "voice" button, Sync asks which option you would like, "phone, USB, read message, line-in"-along with several other command options. The coolest feature, and possibly the most technologically advanced feature of the system, Sync allows you to voice command play whatever song title, album, artist, genre or even similar music. For example, a simple voice command such as "Play artist Norah Jones" will go through all the content on the iPod and find any recordings that match that description. As we found out, the voice recognition system could be improved upon. While it did misinterpret a couple of requests, Sync brought up artists that sounded similar to the one requested and asked us to repeat "number 1 for Def Tones, number 2 for Norah Jones, or number 3 for Lionel Jones." Once the artist is selected, the system starts while displaying both the artist name and track title. The voice command system also allows selection of the next or previous track, or playing the next audio folder, because Sync has taken a few minutes during the initial connection to index all the audio files. Sync also supports pod casts, audio book, Bluetooth audio streaming, and Internet radio streaming from compatible web phones and PDAs.
As the automotive communication, entertainment, and connectivity segment advances, keep an eye out for Ford's development team to add to the Sync system. It runs on a Windows CE based computer, so the opportunities to add functions are virtually unlimited. Sync systems offer a factory-equipped, integrated solution to hands-free accessing music, entertainment, and communication. The Sync system has been designed to support and progress with future devices, services, and technology, while allowing users to stay safely connected. Drivers using Sync are experiencing the future of in-vehicle entertainment and communication today.
