Monday, August 16, 2010

Infotainment: Made to Last


When you go and take advantage of current Ford Incentives, chances are you plan on driving that vehicle for at least three years if not longer.  How long do you own your cell phone before upgrading it?  Most cell phone contracts are only two years, and many consumers are in the mindset that they have to have the best thing available, meaning they might change their phone every 6 months or so.  Well, consumers are not able to go out and buy a brand new vehicle every six months; it just doesn't make sense!  But auto makers are realizing that no one wants to have the technology in their new car from VW Peoria suddenly outdated and over priced.  We bet the people who first purchased Sync as an option on their new Focus from Saginaw Ford Lincoln Mercury dealer are frustrated because not only is Sync far more capable than it used to be but it also comes standard on the entire line up; no optional fee!

Ford is now offering MyFord Touch in their vehicles, which allows users to download applications similar to those you have on your smartphone.  Stitcher is one of the applications that will first be available, and it allows its users to manage a collection of talk-radio programs.  Currently, Ford is working with TeleNav Inc., a company that makes GPS systems for cell phones.  TeleNav is hoping to have their navigation system be used with Ford's Sync system.  San Francisco and Silicon Valley are going to become increasingly popular areas as it won't just be cell phone executives visiting the software firms, but now corporations like Ford, Chrysler, and Toyota are in the infotainment race and want to create partnerships with these smart firms like Pandora Media Inc.  Some people worry that all the technology available in the cars will increase driver distractions, but many auto brands have disabled several features while the car is in motion.  You have to program everything while the car is in park and Sync is fully voice activated.






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