Remember when using your automobile required nothing more than a key? Today it seems like a car ride wouldn't be complete without an Mp3 player, cell phone and GPS device – just to name a few. Trying to operate these little necessities while driving is not only unsafe but virtually impossible. Since we find so many gadgets standard accoutrements for taking a car ride, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury offers an in–car connectively system that helps to maximize the use of your favorite accessories.
Created through a partnership between Ford and Microsoft, SYNC is an award winning communications and entertainment system that was initially launched in twelve vehicles within the Ford, Lincoln, Mercury line. Now standard in many Ford, Lincoln, Mercury automobiles, SYNC responds to your voice commands, so there's no more fumbling with buttons, spinney wheels and any other implement that requires your hands off the steering wheel to operate your electronics. You can use many popular MP3 players, Bluetooth–enabled mobile phones and USB drives all through voice commands. The transition from using your cell phone – before you step inside your vehicle – to SYNC recognizing it is virtually seamless. Once you enter your vehicle, SYNC detects your phone, and you'll be hearing your call through the vehicle's speaker system and conversing naturally. While text messaging is growing in popularity, so are accidents caused by drivers trying to read an incoming text message. With the Audible Text Message feature, SYNC reads your text messages to you. In addition to connecting your can't–live–without gadgets, SYNC offers 911 Assist, Vehicle Health Report, Business Search and Real–time Traffic. Since SYNC was launched, there have been additional services incorporated into the system which include Travel Services and Personalized Daily Information. Most recently, Google Maps has added a "Send to SYNC" button so that you can send directions from your Google browser directly to your SYNC–equipped Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle.
"We define connectivity as a way to keep people moving through their lives – not simply as an on–board computer," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "Our approach focuses on connecting people to the information they need, whenever and wherever they need it. These new features are aimed at enhancing the driver's entire quality of life."
According to Ford, Lincoln, Mercury statistics, SYNC–equipped vehicles are flying off car dealer lots twice as fast as those that do not offer this feature. For more information on SYNC, visit any Ford, Lincoln, Mercury website.
