Somehow I think choosing a Zune for the promo shot is a sad reminder of Ford's current situation... (just an observation, no flamewars please)

@Vega: I don't get it (besides the fact that Zune is now #2 seller in US) ... the Sync system is a MS product ... it only makes sense MS asks for their Zune to be in the shot ... iPod was in plenty of other shots of Sync.

Igor

Scion took the easy way out and simply put iPod dock connectors standard across their line.

Having Sync standard across FoMoCo vehicles would truly be a Bold Move.

WTF is a "Zune" and why would I want one in my car?

so I should get what? Maybe 6 months, before this thing starts to crash on a daily basis? I've had plenty of MS products in my day, in fact I'm an MCP, but there is no way I would trust a MS branded product to run my entertainment system IN MY CAR. What am I going to do when I'm on the Illinois toll road and this thing crashes? Pull over and control alt delete my car!? Plus I'd have to buy a Ford! That makes sense though. A really second rate car company getting together with a really second rate software company. I hope it all works out though and that no one has any problems with it. I'd love to be wrong.

It's a really cool system, except that when my current Ford dies, I will most likely never buy another one, ever again.

@SaveMeJeebus: Zune is Microsoft's attempt to emulate iPod - it is not as good as the well matured iPod, but it is a good player, and it has become the second best selling MP3 player in US after iPod ...

Igor

@Igor: I think he may have been joking.

MS and Ford. Better watch out! your car might crash!

@Ray Wert: oops :D

Igor

Ok let's back this truck up for a second. Unfortunately MS has a clear track record of building software that is bloated and unfocused. Ford seems to have some similar lineage so the mashup seems to have merit. Now I am writing this from my Ubuntu(Linux) box so you can see my feelings on anything MS. I also drive a Mitsi imported from Japan so domestic vehicles are all dead to me. I say let them flame up down the road and see who gets sued.

Shouldn't this be for a Mazda rather than a Ford? Zune Zune Zune!

Hey, I LOVE my Zune.

They need to put this in all Ford brands. The Volvo S40/V50 base radio doesn't even have an analog aux input (in 2007!), or even a way to hack one through a CD changer port. Don't they get the internet in Sweden?

Combine this with the twin-force turbos and RWD and Ford might make a car I'd be willing to buy.

Who the hell would buy this?

Just give me a frickin AUX jack and leave me alone, OK?

@TPSreports: Most now come with AUX jacks standard. Like my '07 GT.

At all the comments on how the car will need to be rebooted, etc: I'm very sure that this program runs out of the same box as the PCM (powertrain control module) and could easily cause a crash from a MS glitch?

Not just fail to understand a voice command

Every manufacturer should offer Bluetooth-enabled stereos, period - without charging 100's more for the option. As of January 1, the two of the most populous states in the Union will have hands free laws. Bluetooth is not that expensive to license. Why the heck is it taking soooo long for the auto industry to get it?

The thing that concerns me is that there's a nice big "RESET" button right there above it.
Too bad it's not a big red reset button.

@lws1984: That's for the in-dash information display... my Mustang has those 3 buttons too but they're higher up on the dash. Nothing to do with the sync system... those are how you toggle through the trip odometer and fuel usage displays... also how you change the color of the gauge cluster. Fun stuff.

@Brian B: if you figure out the cost of each unit and multiply that across the millions of cars being sold each year versus how many people actually NEED it, then you are left with an easy business decision:

Make it an option.

I don't use Bluetooth except for sending files to my friend's phones.

"Hi, im a Mac and I hate domestics."

Hehe, Ford is bringing back the Taurus. That's cute. But the fact that it's re-badging the Ford Freestyle SUV as the "Taurus X" is not cute. Actually, it's kind of pathetic.

Perhaps they'll also bring back the craptastic Ford EXP. What would the call it? The Taurus XXX?

I once touched a friend's ipod and it got the mac frowny face. Piece of trash apple product. What fixed it was banging it on the table really hard. I guess the heads got stuck.

I tell you that to say that I hate apple products. When's the last time you had something terrible happen on your PC that was caused by windows?

"and it has become the second best selling MP3 player in US after iPod"

Second-best selling BRAND. Of hard-disk-based players only.

When you look at the Amazon sales rankings, the iPod has the top eight of ten sales spots - and the other two are flash-based players from SanDisk.

In fact, the iPod (in various storage configurations and colors) is the best selling player. And the second-best selling player. And the third, etc.

The Zune, the only other hard-disk based player in the top 15 mp3 players, comes in at #14. But that's not hard to do, as it's the only hard-disk based player besides the iPod in the top 30 players.

Zune sucks. I've used both. I'll keep the iPod, thanks.

@Evander:

I'm in the CE biz, and know how much the Bluetooth uplift is to include the chipset. Believe me, it is not very much. At all. Within the next ten years (tops) most states will have hands-free laws. From my perspective, it just makes sense.

Also, I never said "give it away." Rather, I feel it should be a very inexpensive option. Right now, for just about every manufacturer it comes with the top-end entertainment package only - costing hundreds over standard and it shouldn't. Just sayin'.

@loquaciousmusic:

Heh, the EXP was an Escort. If they did bring it back maybe they could name is the Taurito :)

@philibuster:

This morning.

@Brian B: Oh I agree that hundreds is stupid.

I think they should offer everything as optional though, to keep the cars attainable to the average joe.

@CaliforniaCajun: Down with competition! Up with monopolies!

@5050mix: If you're referring to the anti-competitive advantage Apple has thanks to the integration of the iPods and the iTunes Store, you can't blame them after they saw how Microsoft was able to get away with just relative slaps on the wrist for its worse anti-competitive behavior.

@philibuster: today also yesterday on a different computer. maybe its me.

You are right, the simplicity of the ipod and its store allows children, the elderly and people of limited intelligence listen to music on the go. God bless them.

I wouldn't order any Microsoft option for my car if they PAID me $395 to take it.

It is interesting how most auto manufacturers are now selling a connection wire -- oh, excuse me: "integration kit" -- for a greater price than an iPod itself, instead of a standard iPod dock that would properly cradle it in a convenient location on the dash or center console.

Would auto manufacturers get their heads out of their derrieres and offer three simple levels of audio options, not tied to any packages:

1) no radio (for those who like to choose their own)

2) decent mid-level package with CD and an auxiliary input jack

3) high-end system with all the bells and whistles ENTIRELY SEPARATE from navigation.

Is this too much to ask?

It always makes me fume a bit when they re-invent the wheel (no pun intended!). I have had an adapter similar to Sync in my car for about a year now connected to my iPod (and most recently my iPhone!). It looks like Microsoft may be catching up.... The adapter I'm using is from a hacking company named neo car or something and seems to be better than Sync in two key regards:

1. One side of it connects to my Honda

2. The other side connects to my iPod

Source: www.mp3yourcar.com

No Microsoft, and No Ford.

I cant remember the place who makes these direct connect adapters as I threw away the packaging and the adapter is sitting behind my radio in the dash of my car, but I did fine the site that tells you if your car is compatible.

@Evander:
Oh, heh. Cool, so that's how you do the colour-changing trick, I always thought that was one of the Mustang's better features.

Am I the only one who thinks that the only way to un-freeze/fix this thing if it goes loony is to pull over and restart the car?