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.
A lot of Microsoft's motive for spreading Sync comes from demand on Ford vehicles. It would appear people really like Sync, which is currently a worthwhile $395 upgrade to any FoMoCo product. Thall says that Ford is super-great for adopting Sync so early, but Microsoft has dollar signs in their eyes and wants to make money everywhere possible, more or less. [Detroit Free Press]