Post by TonyV on Dec 23, 2009 2:40:37 GMT -5
Last Updated: December 23. 2009 1:00AM
Sync feature to connect Ford vehicles to Web
Bryce Hoffman / The Detroit News
Ford Motor Co.'s newest cars and trucks will have the ability to become mobile WiFi hotspots, another feature of the next-generation Sync system the automaker plans to unveil at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month.
The company said drivers will be able to insert a USB mobile broadband modem, also known as an air card, into the system's USB port to establish a secure wireless connection throughout the vehicle. Passengers with WiFi equipped mobile devices will then be able to access the Internet.
"While you're driving to grandma's house, your spouse can be finishing the holiday shopping and the kids can be chatting with friends and updating their Facebook profiles," said Ford Americas President Mark Fields. "And you're not paying for yet another mobile subscription or piece of hardware because Ford will let you use technology you already have."
As The Detroit News first reported last week, the new version of Sync -- the onboard infotainment and communications system it developed with Microsoft Corp. -- also will allow drivers to control many of the applications on their smartphone or music player with voice commands.