ATX, a major but rarely heard-of
telematics supplier, has become the first to offer full handsfree text messaging. While the
Ford Sync already allows the sending of pre-canned missives by voice command, this new system transcribes your messages and is fully voice-operated, freeing both hands for driving. Given the
forthcoming ban on regular old button mashing, you could probably do worse than grabbing one of these and continuing your bad habits. It won't be easy though, as ATX doesn't offer retrofits and market leader
OnStar has said it won't be offering a competing product, leaving you to choose from among the upcoming models by Toyota, Lexus, BMW, Peugeot, Mercedes, Maybach and Rolls-Royce. Maybe we're just jaded, but we'd rather engage in the lost art of talking to people on our good old
Gordon Gekko-styled carphone.
[Via
Dallas Observer]
posted Aug 3rd 2009 12:48PM
Cool feature, but I don't see it getting much use by most people. The way Sync has it setup makes more sense in the atmosphere of a car, where simple replies make sense. If your going for something long use the call feature of ones phone.
If law makers hadn't banned talking on cellphones while driving, I would never have started texting.
Hands-free is a ruse. These people are murderers. Ban all cell phoning and texting by drivers, now.
If this works as the article makes it sound, and it effectively and accurately transcribes voice to text in most situations (including noisy ones) then I hope they license it or it's copied so I can buy it.
I can see this turning out very badly:
Tim (accidental): "Get the f*ck outta my way you friggen asshole!!!"
Girlfriend: "I'm sorry, WHAT was that!?!"