Ford SYNC owners to get stock quotes, horoscopes and movie listings shouted at them
By Darren Murph 
posted May 27th 2010 12:01AM
posted May 27th 2010 12:01AM
Stock quotes, horoscopes and more added to ford sync cloud-based services; no extra fees attached
· Ford adds new services to SYNC® through the cloud-based app Traffic, Directions & Information (TDI), giving users on-demand access using simple voice commands to stock quotes, movie listings, horoscopes, and airlines, hotels and rental car companies
· The new services are now available to SYNC TDI owners and showcase the flexibility and expandability of the SYNC architecture to continuously improve the user experience – no extra fees or software upgrades required
· TDI is available on all 2010 and 2011 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with SYNC; services come with no monthly subscription fees for the first three years of vehicle ownership
DEARBORN, Mich., May 27, 2010 – Horoscopes, stock quotes, movie listings and access to airlines, rental cars and hotels are now just a voice command away for customers driving Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with the SYNC® app Traffic, Directions & Information (TDI).
And customers did not have to inquire, purchase or upgrade anything to get this whole new set of services. All that is needed is an active owner account on www.syncmyride.com.
"SYNC is helping us move at a faster pace and deliver the level of connectivity and access that consumers want," said Doug VanDagens, director, Ford Connected Services Organization. "Now, by leveraging the cloud, we continue to give our customers access to more and more services without having to touch the vehicle or inconvenience the owner with more subscription fees."
Ford expanded SYNC TDI services to include stock quotes, entertainment, travel and movie categories, in addition to the already available traffic, directions, news and business search capabilities. The new services are provided by Microsoft Tellme, one of the many partners in Ford's cloud-based Service Delivery Network, which gives SYNC users the ability to use a simple Bluetooth-enabled cell phone to connect and voice request the information they want while in the car.
More features, no extra cost
Owners of SYNC-equipped 2010 and 2011 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products will have immediate access to the enhanced TDI services.
"Current TDI users will hear a special announcement through SYNC the first time they call in, announcing stocks, movies, horoscopes and travel, and informing them that they have more choices," adds VanDagens.
When users say the "services" voice command, they can ask for "stocks," horoscopes," "movies" or "travel," and follow the prompts. They can also create personalized lists of stocks and horoscopes to follow by visiting their account on www.syncmyride.com, clicking on the "Manage favorites" tab and adding their top picks.
In total, the new SYNC TDI categories offer the following options:
Stocks
• Say a company name and receive real-time stock quotes
• Request other specifics such as the high/low of the day, of a 52-week period, share volume, market cap and price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio
Horoscopes
• Speak an astrological sign to hear the daily horoscope
• Hear list of astrological signs
Movies
• Search for movie theaters near customer's current location or provided city
• Receive lists of new releases
• Say a movie name and receive rating information, theater names where movies are playing
• Request movie times at a location for today, tomorrow or the next day
Travel
• Request to be directly connected to 150 airlines, the 50 largest hotel chains and the 11 largest rental car agencies – all in the U.S.
N'SYNC?
I hope it all goes good for the american car companies, especially for Chevrolet. Maybe one day they will be on top of the game
Talking cars? Sorry, but I like my cars like I like my children, seen, but not heard.
@BecauseItsNotGoogle I ment on top like toyota or nissan maybe even honda, but then again maybe I'm still thinking they were doing bad. If they are not, then good! I'd hate to see them go.
Btw they did do a pretty bad job on cars from around 2003~ and before I don't know how good they are now a days, although their trucks have been really damn good for as back as I can remember.
@mrvco
Dang, your a moron of a Dad. (no offense)
@mrvco
I like my cars to be heard, i just dont when them telling me that i am feeling rather affectionate and will desire the company of a loved one simply because im a libra
That sounds like HELL.
STFU motor car!
When ever I use Voice Recognition, I freeze up half way through my sentence.
Driver: "Horoscope!"
SYNC: "You should not drive today or... tragedy will ensue"
I for one have really been enjoying the SYNC features in the 2011 Ford Fiesta Ford is letting me drive... it's especially useful to voice-activate particular tracks on my completely filled 16gb flash drive I have plugged into the USB. Trying to use the console to search for "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" can be a bitch while driving. Also, I have my phonebook downloaded to the car, so I can just say, "Call Dad Home"... which is also effective. The voice recognition is surprisingly accurate on proper nouns and stuff.
However, the horoscope and stock-price stuff seems sort of pointless...
I can see it now...
"What's my horoscope for today?"
-- You are in danger of running into others. Better not drive today.--
**driver looks back to the road and sees that he has drifted into oncoming traffic**
"Oh, no... Save me Chuck Norris!"
I'm not in favor of this. I think it's cool, but the only thing I think would be appropriate to be told you while you're driving is potentially safety enhancing information. Not something that's going to make you run your car off a bridge, like stock quotes. I am guilty of having at least one time typing and reading something on my phone, but all in all, I think ALL drivers should be doing nothing but driving. Having a conversation with another human or other being capable of speech is another thing. It's just impossible to stop people from doing that, but I don't really think that should be tried. One thing that never gets considered in these topics are that cars are a gazillion time more easy to drive than in previous times. Steering is more precise, braking and time to stop is better, steering and braking take a lot less effort with power assist. Frankly back before these power assists you had to put your full attention simply because it physically engagded you.
Owl report...er...Movie Listings?
Guys, Not all will benefit. I have a 2010 Ford Fusion SEL... pretty loaded up, but I can't use these new features... I quote a line from the website :
"Traffic, Directions and Information is available in the United States only, not available in conjunction with Navigation Systems.."
I have the factory navigation system installed (an added premium) , and thus the feature is not available to me.
Source : http://www.syncmyride.com/Own/Modules/FaqManagement/FaqDetail.aspx?faqId=3
SYNC: stock markets down 1999 points
Driver: f***
News reader: south bound 101 is backed up because of a fatal crash.
Seriously, do we really need all this?
Who and why the he'll would someone need half the things it offers in their car. Only thing I demand in any vehicle is a stick shift.
@bwazy
That's what she said
... I'm sorry I just couldn;t help myself.
"And a joy, joy day to you, Officer Huxley. You are a wondeful human being"... Next your car will be giving you a 'daily affermation'.
I hope they include podcasts with this update. Currently the only way I can locate podcasts it to say "Play All" and then click through all the listings until I find what I want. Not an easy thing with 8,000 tracks.
one step closer to a car that can talk to you!
OK. New Rule. If you believe in horoscopes you shouldn't be allowed to drive. Or vote. Or use the big boy scissors.
SYNC is awesome.
Actually, a horoscope wouldn't be so bad, provide that it was from The Onion.
Aries Mar 21 - Apr 19
Your bold, take-no-prisoners attitude has made you who you are today: one of the least successful criminal prosecutors in the country.
Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20
You've never really imagined yourself as the committed type, but a state-appointed psychiatrist will soon prove you wrong.
I have a few good ideas for an Android Sync app, but Ford hasn't released the SDK yet (except to a few chosen partners). Wish they would release it so I can get started!
How long do you think until they incorporate porn?
1 year?
6 Months?