Ford, Microsoft Offer New In-Dash Gizmos
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - CD players in automobiles could go the way of eight-track tapes with in-dash systems like one Ford Motor Co. (FPA) and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) are jointly producing to link cars with cell phones and personal music players.The “Sync” system being unveiled Sunday at the North American International Auto Show connects popular iPods and all other digital music players - including Microsoft’s nascent Zune - to in-dash software through a USB port. Drivers will be able to pick songs, artists or genres using voice activation or controls on the steering wheel.
The system also links Bluetooth-capable smart phones and personal digital assistants to the car’s electronics, allowing the car system to pick up Internet broadcasts. An electronic voice even will read inbound text messages through the sound system, complete with a vocabulary of slang abbreviations such as “LOL” for “laughing for loud.”Sync ratchets up the car electronics war as the struggling Ford tries to compete with General Motors Corp. (XGM)’s OnStar system, DaimlerChrysler AG’ (DCX)s MyGIG in-dash hard drive storage system and similar devices offered by other manufacturers. MORE FROM MYWAY
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