Ford Sync™, powered by Microsoft Auto software, is Ford's new fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system for mobile phones and digital music players. Sync is the newest technology to emerge from the Ford-Microsoft relationship. Sync is available in most 2009 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products. Users can access their mobile phone or digital music player - including genre, album, artist and song title via voice commands. Names and numbers in a mobile phone's address book are wirelessly and automatically transferred to the vehicle. Sync can host nearly any digital media player and most USB storage devices.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 18 October 2008 - Middle East customers will enjoy a better way of using their mobile phones, controlling their SMS and choice of music in their vehicles, thanks to SYNC, Ford's latest factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system that is designed to change the way consumers use digital media portable music players and mobile phones.
The new technology makes its Middle Eastern debut during this year's GITEX Technology Week taking place 19 - 23 October 2008, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). Ford's participation makes them the first automobile manufacturer to establish presence at GITEX.
"SYNC uses software that bridges the automotive and consumer electronics industries, so having it debut in GITEX seemed like a natural fit," said Waldo Galan, Ford Middle East's managing director. "We are excited about our involvement and confident that with the visibility that GITEX enjoys around the region, it will serve as the perfect platform to highlight Ford's innovation together with Microsoft."
Visitors to the Ford stand (C10-7) inside the Sheikh Maktoum Hall will be able to experience SYNC inside the all-new Ford Flex, a seven-passenger, technology-forward crossover, debuting as the Official GITEX Technology Week Car.
As a Ford-exclusive technology based on Microsoft Auto software, Sync provides consumers the convenience and flexibility to bring into their vehicle nearly any mobile phone or digital media player and operate it using voice commands or the vehicle's steering wheel or radio controls.
Ford owners will not need to worry about whether their car or truck is compatible with the latest phone or music player that hits the market. Sync seamlessly integrates the vehicle with the popular portable electronic devices of today and is upgradeable to support the devices and services of tomorrow.
"Sync is what today's generation and today's drivers demand in connectivity," added Galan. "Not only does it offer hands-free phone operation and Apple iPod®, Microsoft Zune or MP3 player connectivity, it's built on a software platform that is upgradeable and will allow us to offer new features by simply upgrading the software."
Vimal Sethi, Developer & Platform Group director, Microsoft Gulf said, "Customers today demand the ability to stay connected with all of their information and entertainment sources while traveling in their cars. Microsoft is at the forefront of this trend, partnering with automobile manufacturers like Ford to provide innovative and cost-effective solutions that are set to redefine a consumer's driving experience. Sync is a powerful, scalable, and flexible software platform and reference hardware design that helps Ford deliver rich, integrated in-car infotainment systems faster, easier and at lower cost. With this new offering, Microsoft and Ford aim to keep consumers connected, even when they are behind the wheel."
Sync offers consumers two ways to bring electronic devices into their Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles and operate them seamlessly through voice commands or steering wheel controls:
Bluetooth, for wireless connection of phones and phones that play music.
A USB 2.0 port for command and control and charging of digital media players - including the Apple iPod and Microsoft Zune - as well as PlaysForSure music devices and most USB media storage devices. Supported formats include MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV and PCM.
The ability to control all portable electronic devices via voice commands, offer a USB port to connect storage devices and recharge electronics, puts SYNC well beyond other available technology - including Bluetooth, hands-free offerings or portable music device connections.
In the Middle East, Sync will debut on the 2009 Ford Flex and the 2009 Lincoln MKS, followed closely by the 2009 Ford Edge, Expedition, F-Series trucks, Escape, Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac, Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Mariner, Mountaineer, Montego, Lincoln MKX and Navigator.
Sync Features:
· Voice-activated, hands-free calling: Simply press the "Push to Talk" button on the steering wheel, and then say the name of the person you wish to call. Sync will automatically connect with the names in the mobile phone's contact list.
· Uninterrupted connections: No need to hang up in the middle of a cell phone call as you enter your vehicle. Simply touch the Telephone Button on the steering wheel, and Sync will instantly connect to a Bluetooth phone.
· Audible text messages: Sync will convert text messages from your phone to audio and read it out loud. The system is even smart enough to translate such commonly used text messaging expressions as "LOL" and J. You can choose to reply from any of 20 predefined responses.
· Advanced calling features: Sync includes the same features offered on mobile phones, including caller ID, call waiting, conference calling, a caller log, a list of contacts, a signal strength icon, and a phone battery charge icon - all conveniently located on the radio's display screen.
· Voice-activated music: Browse the music collection on your digital media player, mobile phone or USB drive by genre, album, artist and song title using simple voice commands, such as "Play genre Rock," "Play ," or "Play Track ."
· Instant voice recognition: Sync's advanced voice recognition technology means when you're ready to use your phone or digital music player, just speak simple commands.
· Ring tone support: For supported phones, Sync will play personal ring tones. If you've configured unique ring tones to identify specific callers, Sync will automatically play those, too.
· Automatic phonebook transfer: Sync will automatically and wirelessly transfer all the names and numbers in a mobile phonebook.
· Multilingual intelligence: Sync is fluent in English, French and Spanish.
-Ends-
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 228,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
Ford Motor Company's history in the Middle East goes back to nearly 60 years. The company's local importer-dealers operate more than 55 facilities in the region and directly employ over 4,000 people, the majority of whom are Arab Nationals. For more information on Ford Middle East, please visit www.me.ford.com
Ford Middle East is also a responsible corporate citizen in the region, with the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants, a grass-root level program that has offered nearly USD700,000 in grants to about 90 Middle Eastern environmental projects since 2000. For more information, please visit www.ford-environmentalgrants.com.
About Microsoft Gulf
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:'MSFT') is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Gulf opened its Dubai-based headquarters in 1991. Microsoft Gulf today oversees Microsoft activities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE and Yemen. Microsoft Corporation's address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com Microsoft Middle East's Web site is: www.microsoft.com/middle east
For more information please contact:
Sue Nigoghossian
Ford Middle East Public Affairs
tel: 971-50-454-3640
tel: 971-4-3327767
email: snigogho@ford.com
Rami Halawani
Asda'a
tel: 971-50-655-8750
tel: 971-4-335-5969
email: r.halawani@asdaa.com
Chloe Martinez
Asda'a
tel: 971-50-544-8536
tel: 971-4-335-5969
email: c.c.martinez@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2008
