DETROIT, 1:33 PM, SAT MAY 17 | 17 POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS | tips@jalopnik.com | SUBMIT A TIP | RSS
Posts Tagged “

Sync

”
ad watch

American Idol Ruins Johnny Cash Song With Help From A Fake KITT Mustang

If you thought the GT500KR in the Knight Rider made-for-TV movie was a disgusting piece of product placement, you ain't seen nothin' yet. What could be worse? How about the four remaining contestants in American Idol massacring Johnny Cash's song Ring Of Fire? What makes it extra terrible was the so-called "music video" which involved the Idols bullfighting with a Mustang which was apparently the cousin of KITT. Feel free to watch the clip with your sound turned off— we don't want to scar you.
[americanidol.com]

9:20 AM on Thu May 8 2008
By marnold
3,230 views, 67 comments

Latest by keicar: Doesn't compare to the Frank Zappa version from "The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life". more »

news

Microsoft Shills Its SYNC To Hyundai, Kia

Microsoft is again shilling its technology out to the masses, but this time offering up its car infotainment system, better known as SYNC, to the Hyundai-Kia Auto Group. The 2010 models will be the first to include the Microsoft entertainment system that still remains nameless as Ford has the name SYNC locked down by the balls. For the time being, the system used by Hyundai and Kia will be similar to that offered by Ford, FIAT and most recently with Suzuki (who decided on the Suzuki TRIP name), but the group is looking at new capabilities that could be added like navigation and emergency call services. Press release below the jump. More »

12:30 PM on Tue May 6 2008
By Travis Hudson
761 views, 21 comments

Latest by abgwin: if Ford has a lock on "SYNC" perhaps they could give Lance Bass a couple of grand for "N*SYNC" more »

gadgets

Aftermarket Manufacturers Go Sync, Next-Gen Also On The Way

We knew that Microsoft was going to look to hawk its Sync system elsewhere—especially with its booming popularity and the soon-to-be expired Ford contract. Now we know who is first to the free market table Alpine and Continental, two aftermarket manufacturers, are already working on integrating the voice command and entertainment system into their own products. Perhaps even more interesting, due to its early popularity, Microsoft is already working on the next generation of Sync and it has a super-exciting codename! More »

3:20 PM on Fri Apr 4 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,369 views, 19 comments

Latest by vividaurora: I've a new Zune 80 and I love it. Also love the fact that there might finally be some automotive accessories MADE for it. I understand the iPod is the de facto standard, but please, there are other solid alternatives, more »

industry news

Microsoft Has A Vision For Automotive Electronics: Advertising

It's no secret that cars are becoming more connected to the virtual world (as drivers are becoming dangerously divorced from the real one), and the price of all that connection isn't going to be absorbed by automakers or the companies responsible for providing the technology. The current model for in-car services like OnStar and XM/Sirius is based on the cell phone business plan, which can offer the technology at little or no cost to most consumers while charging for the service. Microsoft, for its part, is considering advertising as a possible income source. More »

5:00 PM on Fri Mar 7 2008
By Matt Hardigree
890 views, 32 comments

Latest by MazdaEric: @Hyman Decent: oh hai, i can haz cruze control? (sorry, lolcats are a guilty pleasure) more »

industry news

Expect Microsoft To Get Sync-y With Other Automakers

Ford's exclusive rights to the Microsoft Sync system are set to expire at the end of this year. As a result, Microsoft will be looking to work with more automakers to incorporate its Sync system, which I recently reviewed the hell out of. Martin Thall, general manager of Microsoft's automotive business, told the Freep of Microsoft's plans to extend Sync to the greater automotive world. More »

4:00 PM on Fri Feb 22 2008
By Travis Hudson
661 views, 10 comments

gadgets

Microsoft Sync In The Ford Focus SE, The Roundup

I spent the better part of a week, tooling around in a 2008 Ford Focus SE, with one task at hand: to determine whether this newfangled Microsoft Sync system is all it's cracked up to be. I laughed, I cried, I made some calls, and in the end found Sync to be basically sweet. Not that me and Sync didn't have a few spats. At first, I approached the system the same way any average Joe would—I jumped in the car and started playing without picking up the manual or having any prior knowledge of how Sync actually works. That didn't go as smoothly as I was hoping, so I hashed through the manual and got Sync set up to my liking, in as much as I could. And for the final test, I took 'er out for a live road test. [Unboxing, Set Up, Road Test]


4:00 PM on Fri Feb 1 2008
By Travis Hudson
1,715 views, 16 comments

Latest by halfshaft: I think that 'light sand metallic' paint job suits the shape well, and the restyle is growing on me. However the front end still looks like The Goonies' Mama Fratelli. more »

gadgets

Microsoft Sync in a 2008 Ford Focus SE Road Test: Part 3


It's part three of my adventures with the Microsoft Sync. I unboxed the hell out of it, then attempted to set up the entire system and now I am going to take the 2008 Ford Focus SE out on a joy-of-technology ride around the greater Dallas area, try to not kill anyone in the process. Check out the video review above and see some of my final impressions of the system below. More »

3:30 PM on Wed Jan 30 2008
By Travis Hudson
3,287 views, 28 comments

gadgets

Microsoft Sync Setup in the 2008 Ford Focus SE: Part 2

The "unboxing" of Sync yesterday didn't go quite as well as I was hoping, but no fear, there's a trusty 80-page manual to guide me through setting up the Sync in-car entertainment system. I was able to connect my Zune to the system pretty easily yesterday, so today's setup revolved mostly around setting up my cellphone, which was quite the task. See some of my frustrations in the video above, and hit the jump for commentary about the Sync system, how I decided to approach it and setting up a cellphone. More »

2:15 PM on Tue Jan 29 2008
By Travis Hudson
2,643 views, 14 comments

Latest by cardesignmike: @austinminiman: during christmas shopping this year, I was alerted to the fact that apparently, Zune's (namely the smaller version) were selling like crazy. So look out. Apple is not king of everything, just hype and getting hippies and people with more »

gadgets

Microsoft Sync Gets Unboxed in the 2008 Ford Focus SE: Part 1 of 3

You've seen the commercials, but really, how easy is the Microsoft Sync in-car entertainment system to use? I decided to give Sync an unboxing, similar to the ones our brethren do. I'll give you a hint how it went: Don't get your hopes up. This is only Part One of a three-part series, in which I'll wrestle with the technological gods and attempt to achieve success with Microsoft Sync. Stay tuned later this week for my attempts to set everything up and provide a full blown review. A correction to the video: Sync DOES work with a wide variety of MP3 players and cellphones, not just the Microsoft-branded Zune. You can consult SyncMyRide.com for a list of all compatible gadgets.

2:15 PM on Mon Jan 28 2008
By Travis Hudson
3,340 views, 30 comments

Latest by sos10: @Admiral Ackbar: My Ipod doesn't , but then I'm able to ignore incoming text messages when I'm driving.. It's a cheaper and safer method, tested since 100 years. more »

ces

Tech Explosion: Ford to Begin Including HD Radio in 2009

Well, the Ford Sync system is in full effect with 911 Assist, Sirius Travel Link and more, but that obviously isn't enough. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury will be including factory-installed HD radio in 2009 as well. Wait, HD radio? Where do you put your eyes? More »

12:45 PM on Tue Jan 8 2008
By Travis Hudson
385 views, 5 comments

ces

Rescue 911: Ford Expands Sync With "911 Assist," Calls William Shatner for Free

Speak of the devil — the embargo's just dropped on Ford's newest addition to the Sync system unveiled tonight at the 2008 CES show by Microsoft's main man himself — Bill Gates. It's called "911 Assist" and it uses the bluetooth phone connection function of Sync to dial the local 911 operator through your phone if your air bag deploys. It then replays a recorded message alerting the operator you're in a Ford vehicle and oh my goodness, send help immediately 'cause your airbag's just gone off and that probably means you've been in an accident. What's the added cost of such a magical William Shatner-dialing feature? Not a dime more than the money you've already forked over for Sync. It's free and you can get the service added by just taking your current Sync-systemed Ford vehicle over to a service center for a flash memory upgrade. Once the helpful technicians are done, you'll drive quicker than ever, confident your car will dial 911 if you get into a fender-bending, unconsciousness-causing accident. Now just pray your phone's got the GPS function enabled and the local 911 system has the requisite equipment to decipher the signal, or else the best they'll be able to get is a four-block radius of your crash. Still better than nothing at all, right? Oh, and the Sync upgrade will also get you an "OnStar-like vehicle health report." Woo-hoo. Full press release after the jump. More »

9:30 PM on Sun Jan 6 2008
By Ray Wert
1,119 views, 10 comments

Latest by Turboner: "Are you SURE you want to drive what common people drive?" more »

ces

CES 2008: Ford Unveils Sirius Travel Link Navigation System, Offers At-A-Glance Gas Prices, Sports Scores, Other Random Info

In addition to a tease of even more Sync-ing to come at the 2008 CES show, Ford's just unveiled their newest toy to complement the Sync system. It's called the Sirius Travel Link navigation system — and it's a nav system that uses Sirius's ability to download data to your in-dash system to give drivers and passengers up-to-the-minute information on the little stuff you need when you're driving — stuff like gas prices, traffic, weather, sports scores and movie listings. All the random tidbits of information you can normally get by looking out your windshield or tuning to WWJ your local AM news station. Well, except for the movie listings. The system also supposedly "includes full music "jukebox" capability - with space for up to 2,400 tracks and Gracenote® technology for album cover art..." and will be first available in the 2009 Lincoln MKS. But anyway, it's just what we wanted — yet another opportunity to watch drivers randomly glancing away from the road. Still, it sounds pretty cool — let us know when we can get RSS feeds from our fave web sites added and we're sold. Full press release after the jump. More »

7:31 PM on Sun Jan 6 2008
By Ray Wert
1,947 views, 9 comments

Latest by rlj676: @Mike the Dog: You answered your own question there. Those jackasses you just described want to do everything in the car. You minds as well sell to them if you can. Just because the driving enthusiasts here aren't interested in all the more »

industry news

Ford SYNC-ed Up With Customers, Selling Twice As Many SYNC Models

According to Ford, the company sold Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models equipped with the SYNC system more than twice as fast as those same models without SYNC. While there's probably more to this than just the popularity of SYNC system (how many non-SYNC MKZ's get built?), it can't be ignored that people have to be motivated to fork over the $395 premium it takes to get one on non-standard models. Until other automakers step up, Ford will continue to benefit from the system. Press release below the jump. More »

10:15 AM on Wed Jan 2 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,387 views, 25 comments

Latest by MrEvil: I think this is more or less Microsoft wanting people to actually have a reason to buy a Zune. Lots of other automakers have been touting iPod support for a couple years. The only problem with integrating stuff like this into more »

clips

Ford, MySpace and the Internet in General Reach for New Low


And grab it. We've long admired Slut Machine's love of trash reality TV. She approaches the clips with the perfect mixture of open minded curiosity and seriousness, yet still remains a completely cynical voyeur. Which is just one of the many reasons we're very different than Slut Machine. The above clip fills our heart with sadness, makes us reexamine our trust and belief in capitalism (as well as mankind in general) and turns us pro Al Queda. Before you pass judgment, please take into account that this is Roommates episode 15 of at least 36, and they are all just as rotten as the other. Finally, if you are going to feature porno-style acting chops, give us a little porn, OK?

8:45 AM on Mon Dec 10 2007
By Jonny Lieberman
2,832 views, 53 comments

Latest by sashazur: This isn't any worse than any other crud on these bottom-feeding 'reality' shows. Lame show, lame car. (I love watching "The Soup" make fun of these programs) more »

jalopnik reviews

2008 Ford Focus Coupe, Part 3

Why you should buy this car:
You love the Sync system more than you love driving.

Why you should not buy this car:
You love driving more than you love the Sync system. More »

Feature

3:30 PM on Thu Oct 18 2007
By Ray Wert
3,144 views, 36 comments

Latest by Yup13: Personally, I like what Ford has done. I think their 2008 model of the Focus is perfect for those who want a fuel efficent car plus a fun and enjoyable ride. All their cars/SUVs/ and trucks have a new luxery more »

ad watch

Life, Like The Focus, Can Be Made Better With Sync


Wouldn't it be nice to have the Ford/Microsoft Sync system in all aspects of life and not just a 2008 Ford Focus? We know we'd prefer it pretty much anywhere in life rather than a Focus. But, we've got to settle where we can get it — sort of like these Ford commercial created folks who have found life just isn't as easy when they're not using Sync.

4:30 PM on Wed Oct 17 2007
By Ray Wert
3,136 views, 17 comments

Latest by Al Navarro: Good product demonstration, but my biz partners' Acura voice command is hilariously innaccurate. Quick review on the HATE/NOT TERRIBLE/GOOD/FERRARI-SHELL scale: Not Terrible. more »

hd radio

Ford First Automaker To Provide HD Radio In Most 2008 Models

Ford's just revealed they'll be providing HD Digital Radio as a new dealer-installed option available on "nearly every 2008 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury." It makes Ford the first automaker to offer the option across "multiple product lines." No word yet whether we'll be able to get it on an Econoline — but we're pretty sure we'll be able to get it on a Focus. While we've never actually heard HD Digital Radio before, we hear it's got beautiful plumage. Also, because it's not the new Sync system, it may not be enough to get folks pining for the Fjords — it's yet another weapon in their automotive aftermarket arsenal. Full press release after the jump. More »

8:25 AM on Wed Sep 26 2007
By Ray Wert
1,062 views, 15 comments

Latest by Hammers-On: @my favorite car is a motorcycle: I didn't say that it was "high-Def" I said that it sounds better than FM and Sat. I have all of them to A-B on a good after-market system and of the three, the more »

Maybe instead of calling it the "Ford Focus," they could have just renamed it the "Ford Sync, now with a car!" [Freep]

3 comments