http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/ Engadget Comments for Hands-on with the Ford Sync infotainment platform http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/]]>Sep 26th 2007 11:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
Sure, it might work fine, but damn I would at least WANT to look at it whenever I get the chance to!]]>Sep 26th 2007 11:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
Call your insurance company and tell them you've installed a Microshit product in your car.
See what they tell you.

LOLOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!]]>Sep 26th 2007 11:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 7:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
The Ford Edge, by the way, is very nice. Drove one when I was seeing the fam in Detroit. Drives like a car, very comfortable, and it looks like Ford is finally starting to design interiors aimed at today's car buyer, not my Grandma. I didn't think I was in a Ford at all. If only they offered a Hybrid version...]]>Sep 26th 2007 11:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 5:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
Still, at least we know what happened to all those Windows 2 screen widgets Microsoft had lying around...]]>Sep 26th 2007 11:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 11:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 12:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
Everyone stop spreading FUD. Sync isn't about connecting with Zune. It's about connecting with MOST EVERY MUSIC PLAYING DEVICE IN THE MARKET (which happens to include the Zune).]]>Sep 26th 2007 5:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
Let's face it, if its music playing interface is anything like the 360's - which at first glance, it closely resembles - then it's worse than nothing. And no, it won't work properly with an iPod, because at the very least in won't be able to play protected songs.

Why do you care about defending this pig-ugly monstrosity, anyway?]]>Sep 26th 2007 5:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
Seriously, though, despite its obvious innovation, I can understand trepidation over a joint product from Ford and MS (both holders of significant negative press/mindshare). However, "pig-ugly monstrosity" isn't "expressing serious doubts," it's being a tactless comment-troll.

About your (incorrect) iPod statement, go to http://www.syncmyride.com, then click the compatibility check wizard and look for the iPod connection information (in fact, ironically, it's a number of non-iPod devices that will have issues with protected media, but definitely NOT the iPod). You should probably follow this exercise up with a reflection on the usefulness of a simple fact check before you type something next time.

I'm defending it because it's a unique device that will IMO change the landscape for these type of accouterments in average consumer-level vehicles. It probably will also change a number of consumer's images of Ford. *shrug* I guess you've already made up your mind having never given it a shot (or at least waited for thorough professional reviews), though, so we'll just agree to disagree.]]>Sep 26th 2007 6:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
Having eventually found the compatibility chart you refer to - the main FAQ only states that PlaysForSure media is compatible - you are indeed stating what this chart shows. Surely this means either the system is using a FairPlay crack - which would be news - or that it's exploiting the iPod's own playback controls, which would indicate that it's probably quite limited.

No need to get smart with voice control remarks, because you know I was referring to the apparent similarity in the menu system. Which is what sucks in the 360. It's the dumbest mediaplayer I've ever used, an island of stubbornness nestled in the most intuitive Microsoft interface yet.]]>Sep 26th 2007 7:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 11:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
"Are you trying to play a song, Are you trying to play a song?"

No damnit Clippy, I'm not trying to play a song with this 1980s retro interface garbage and my big gigantic bulky piece of shit Zune.

I think I'll keep my iPod, or.. any other mp3 player and use my AUX port.. I always found the interface on the iPod easier to use, I know my little circle by heart, I can change songs, and when I'm driving and I want to change artists I'll just move the iPod to eye level, and change away. (and then crash and burn most likely.)]]>Sep 26th 2007 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
... too soon?]]>Sep 26th 2007 11:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/]]>Sep 26th 2007 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 11:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 11:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 11:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/They should bring those people from grave who designed 1950s Chevy.]]>Sep 26th 2007 11:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 11:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 11:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
While Lexus is busy developing 360 degree camera systems for their cars, and Mercedes has radar assisted driving systems Ford has an mp3 player and hands free carkit?

Wow. ]]>Sep 26th 2007 12:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
yawn.]]>Sep 26th 2007 12:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 12:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 12:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 12:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 12:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 12:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
Think about the way most OEM car radios are designed...Even the fancy ones with in-dash navigation, etc are designed to be SIMPLE to use for a wide variety of people without causing a major traffic hazard. Not everyone who will use these things is going to be a techno-geek.

Personally, I don't want to dig through 20 layers of menus and small buttons to find what I'm looking for. In car graphics should be big and bold, especially when those graphics are for activating functions on a touchscreen. It's a safety and usability issue. Do YOU want to explain to the officer who pulls you over for swerving into another lane "Uhhh...I'm sorry...I was trying to switch from media player mode to navigation mode..."

I have an Alpine system in my Explorer and my biggest complaint about that is the interface. Sure, it looks good but it is a royal PAIN to navigate around!

As for the operating system comments, despite Microsoft's involvement, this is probably something COMPLETELY different from anything most of us are used to. Microsoft probably didn't even design most of it. It is likely some sort of custom designed embedded OS. Do you think the onboard engine computer runs any form of standard operating system? This is the same type of thing.

Yeah, we all want to geek out by installing a Carputer running Linux but many people aren't going to go to that length. Those are the type of people that this option is aimed at.]]>Sep 26th 2007 12:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Go look at Infiniti or Audi's user interface. You will see if designer is a little bit creative how wonderful products come to life (both usability and style)... Take IPhone for example, if you spend what it needs you come out with something easy to use and stylish. ]]>Sep 26th 2007 1:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 11:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
Also, I don't get what people (even Engadget editors) are so underwhelmed/belligerent about (Yay, mindless domestic-bashing is FUN!). There is no complete system like this available on any other brand. Period. After the drones have run out of stupid jokes, Ford will probably win a large number of drivers (young and old) across its brands because of this feature; it is very unique, very complete and relatively inexpensive.]]>Sep 26th 2007 5:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 4:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
For christ-sake, just pick up a copy of ID Magazine and hire a random name ... it's got to be better than this. OTOH, it does match the pure ugliness that is American auto interiors generally.
]]>Sep 26th 2007 4:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 3:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 2:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 2:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 2:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 27th 2007 1:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 3:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 26th 2007 3:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/Sep 27th 2007 8:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/26/hands-on-with-the-ford-sync-infotainment-platform/
Regards,
Dave]]>Dec 3rd 2007 5:47PM