I've run extensive tests on ford's current version of sync in the Lincoln MKS and Ford Flex.
Sync is a a brilliant system that actually manages to outshine Mercedes Benz's COMMAND and BMW's i'Drive in numerous ways.
Gas stations automaticaly pop up when your fuel runs low, and not just in the radius, only on the route ahead. Weather conditions both at your position and at the target destination are available. The system allows you to sync your phone so that text messages pop up on screen and you can then quickly respond by tapping the screen for an appropriate response:
"yes" "no" maybe later, etc
Sync is such a good system, it makes me wonder why Microsoft isn't producing head units for cars.
The only downside to sync is the voice recognition. In fairness, I have yet to see a good voice recognition system. You can train your voice to it, but even then, the only functions easy to use are "track, artist,title,etc" information. Navigation entry is HORRIBLE unless you simply say "home" to go home, or a simple sounding destination that the computer will recognize.
When I am in Japan in January, I'll be testing their latest GPS/Nav system but for now, the best one I've yet to see is SYNC.
It really is. This is light years better than the system that's in my $50,000 BMW. It's amazing really. I'm not sure whether to be more disappointed in BMW or impressed by Ford. I suppose a little of both. Either way, this is an amazing looking interface, and it has a ton of useful features. I just hope it's easy to get to all of those features without having to dig around. If voice recognition is bad like you say, then that could be a pain. On a side not though, I think BMW's voice recognition is very good. There was no training involved, and it still rarely misses something I say, unless the windows are open or something like that. But of course, the iDrive doesn't even have the option to set up nav over voice.
BMW 's i-drive is only as old as the 2002 7 series. While they definitely make the best driving cars on the road, Graphic user interfaces are best left to computer companies. Microsoft has had years to perfect the GUI which sadly enough, Apple has made nearly perfect with its simplistic models. Apple is suppossed to be making a GUI for Mercedes Benz. If its anything like the apple iphone OS, then it will probably be fantastic.
To bad Apple didn't get involved way back when BMW put i-drive into cars cause i-drive is like a spot on clone of apple's ipod OS.
I remember reading that the parts of this system cost Microsoft under $50. That's supposed to be the biggest innovation. Manufacturers can offer Sync for under $500 (and still make a profit) while giving everyone a chance to own it. Previously, all of the luxury auto makers were selling navigation systems for thousands...these didn't even allow you to link your MP3 player like the Sync does. I believe that Microsoft just expanded their automotive division so, there should be a lot more stuff coming around. I doubt they'd make Microsoft branded headunits though...their business plan seems to focus on building relationships with distributors. I'd ditch my COMMAND system in a heartbeat for the Sync...
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I've run extensive tests on ford's current version of sync in the Lincoln MKS and Ford Flex.
Sync is a a brilliant system that actually manages to outshine Mercedes Benz's COMMAND and BMW's i'Drive in numerous ways.
Gas stations automaticaly pop up when your fuel runs low, and not just in the radius, only on the route ahead.
Weather conditions both at your position and at the target destination are available.
The system allows you to sync your phone so that text messages pop up on screen and you can then quickly respond by tapping the screen for an appropriate response:
"yes"
"no"
maybe later, etc
Sync is such a good system, it makes me wonder why Microsoft isn't producing head units for cars.
The only downside to sync is the voice recognition. In fairness, I have yet to see a good voice recognition system. You can train your voice to it, but even then, the only functions easy to use are "track, artist,title,etc" information. Navigation entry is HORRIBLE unless you simply say "home" to go home, or a simple sounding destination that the computer will recognize.
When I am in Japan in January, I'll be testing their latest GPS/Nav system but for now, the best one I've yet to see is SYNC.
It really is. This is light years better than the system that's in my $50,000 BMW. It's amazing really. I'm not sure whether to be more disappointed in BMW or impressed by Ford. I suppose a little of both. Either way, this is an amazing looking interface, and it has a ton of useful features. I just hope it's easy to get to all of those features without having to dig around. If voice recognition is bad like you say, then that could be a pain. On a side not though, I think BMW's voice recognition is very good. There was no training involved, and it still rarely misses something I say, unless the windows are open or something like that. But of course, the iDrive doesn't even have the option to set up nav over voice.
BMW 's i-drive is only as old as the 2002 7 series.
While they definitely make the best driving cars on the road, Graphic user interfaces are best left to computer companies.
Microsoft has had years to perfect the GUI which sadly enough, Apple has made nearly perfect with its simplistic models.
Apple is suppossed to be making a GUI for Mercedes Benz. If its anything like the apple iphone OS, then it will probably be fantastic.
To bad Apple didn't get involved way back when BMW put i-drive into cars cause i-drive is like a spot on clone of apple's ipod OS.
I remember reading that the parts of this system cost Microsoft under $50. That's supposed to be the biggest innovation. Manufacturers can offer Sync for under $500 (and still make a profit) while giving everyone a chance to own it. Previously, all of the luxury auto makers were selling navigation systems for thousands...these didn't even allow you to link your MP3 player like the Sync does. I believe that Microsoft just expanded their automotive division so, there should be a lot more stuff coming around. I doubt they'd make Microsoft branded headunits though...their business plan seems to focus on building relationships with distributors. I'd ditch my COMMAND system in a heartbeat for the Sync...
http://www.microsoft.com/auto/default.mspx