Ford shows off Sirius Travel Link: real-time data for your navi

Sure, Microsoft's Sync isn't a half bad addition to the motorcars equipped with it, but this inclusion really gets the saliva glands working. Debuting at CES, the Sirius Travel Link system will enable owners to obtain "up-to-the-minute information and entertainment content through the vehicle's navigation system." More specifically, motorists will be able to fetch current gas prices from a database of stations, local, real-time traffic information in 78 markets, coast-to-coast weather information, sports scores and even movie listings. The system will officially launch in the 2009 Lincoln MKS, and while specifics (like pricing) aren't mentioned, we do know that it'll be offered in "multiple" Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles by the year's end.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

[OneLove @ Jan 5th 2008 4:14PM]

I like cheese

[Michael LaFramboise @ Jan 5th 2008 4:53PM]

So umm... do you rub the magical block of cheese and it whispers directions into your ear? or how does cheese work in cars...?

[OneLove @ Jan 5th 2008 5:21PM]

sorry, I meant gps and nav platforms should be free and open source.

[Jamie @ Jan 15th 2008 10:25AM]

I guess the MKS should be free too. Some of you open source people need to get realistic instead of insisting that everything be free. It's CALLED a free market, but it doesn't mean things ARE free. You are FREE to NOT buy a Ford, or at least one with this sure-to-be-premium-priced add-on for any Ford you DO buy. Tell you what genius, go build an in-dash system that does all of this and is easy to use (meaning someone other than yourself can easily figure out how to listen to music, get weather, etc) then feel free to 'give' it to a car manufacturer to put into new vehicles. Chances are, they'll take it, and charge the premium anyway.

Have a nice day!

[OneLove @ Jan 17th 2008 10:37AM]

Bwahhhhhhh!!

[~bluray~ @ Jan 5th 2008 4:16PM]

Thats lame. I thought it could be put in existing cars that HAVE sirius, but it looks like the real-time data is only for the gass guzzlers.

[skulldriveshaft @ Jan 5th 2008 5:11PM]

just tag a nav system with a sirius/xm device - what company isn't trying to do that right now? if they weren't already, they're going to be dying to be the first to make one now.

satellite is streaming to you already - the gps just lets you decide which stream of bits to decode and display - they might even go a bit further and stream to the satellite that's currently blanketing your particular timezone with relevant data - if they ever saturate their frequency range.

But FORD of all companies put this out there like a bullet - can you hear luxury manufacturers scrambling? and since the death of OnStar (analog) was announced - this would just make it the next logical step :]

Nice going Ford & Sirius - I just wish your cars and radios were enjoying the same kind of innovation, respectively. :]

[~bluray~ @ Jan 5th 2008 5:19PM]

What about cars which have the nav in them,,,like toyota or Lexus...and lexus already gives sirius so how would you show real time nav like trafic?

[David @ Jan 5th 2008 5:41PM]

Hopefully this means Mazda as well.

[Flashpoint @ Jan 5th 2008 6:53PM]

My Uncle is waiting for the Lincoln MKS - he currently has an MKZ (retirement car). Its nice to see Ford getting real-time Traffic Nav...finally catching up to Acura, Lexus and GM but the real problem is, Ford needs to make their interiors nicer. I do appreciate that Ford gives you lots of extra features for your money.

They don't cut your throat for heated/cooled seats, steering wheel controls and Navigation like GM and Toyota does.