Posted on 01/02/2007 8:04:06 AM PST by devane617
Ford Motor is set to announce a partnership with Microsoft to provide greater wireless connectivity to its lineup of vehicles, according to a published report.
The Wall Street Journal reported the wireless offering will be called Sync and will allow for hands-free cell phone communication and other wireless information transfers inside the car, including the ability to receive email and download music.
The automakers have been trying to attract buyers with greater entertainment and wireless communication options, including ports for MP3 music players in traditional car stereo systems, DVD video players for backseat passengers and satellite radio offerings.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
Does this mean Ford owners will have to do regular updates and patches?
This is horrific! While people should have common sense not to operate their Blackberries and other data devices, we know there have already been a plethora of accidents caused by this type of driver inattention. Why make things even more easier for accidents and/or fatalities to occur?
As you point out, FR is full of cell phone defenders, who like to point out that people eat cheeseburgers, put on makeup and yell at kids while driving. But why are the auto companies sanctioning such inattention to their driving with the incorporation of this technology into vehicles?
Driving in an audio stampede, like herding cats.
Why don't the car companies start with exceptional quality, lower prices and better mileage ? That might do more wonders for their bottom line.
Cars cary more than just the driver.
A lot of the stuff Ford gets accused of is garbage, but this plan is stupid, IMHO.
The car won't be running on Microsoft software (thank goodness!), but its like they're trying to guarantee that drivers are paying zero attention to what they're doing. There already are plenty of lunatics on the road. Ban this stupid idea and cellphones while driving while you're at it! :)
(BTW, my Ford has only needed one equivalent of a software upgrade in ten years - it didn't cost anything, took 5 minutes, and its computer has NEVER crashed. If only Microsoft was half as reliable)
You've never owned a Ford, have you? :)
So, Fords will stop running and turn blue now?
Oh I wondered if Microsoft was going to start making the main vehical computers (PCM) for Ford vehcicals. Just imagine passing on the freeway and getting the blue screen of death....And the whole car dies out.
Will criminals be able to "blue-jack" a Ford with any cellphone.We all know that Microsoft software can be compromised
within the first 20 minutes
I'm imagining that call to tech support because my car won't boot up. ...then later finding out my car has a virus. Popups keep appearing in the windshield.
Several years later, the car won't run nearly as fast as it used to. And then there is the horror of having to upgrade vehicles every 3 or 4 years (and NOBODY will want the old one, because it won't run the latest software.)
"But why are the auto companies sanctioning such inattention to their driving with the incorporation of this technology into vehicles?"
Uhm. . . because people will buy it?
You went to publik skool, didn't you? You heard all the talk about corporate responsibility and all that junk. So you think companies should be concerned about the environment and should give charitable contributions and should always do what's best for the good of mankind.
In reality, companies exist to make a profit. If they don't make a profit then they don't exist anymore. That's called capitalism. What you were referring to in your post was socialism.
The dread "Blue Oval of Death" syndrome!
I too am amazed that the American auto makers have not caught on the the facts that Toyota Camary, and Honda Accords, are currently, and in the past, knocked the socks off any American cars built. You would think GM, and Ford, would be busting their chops to produce copies of both these cars. Yet, what do we get? More SUV(calling them crossovers), and just plain bizarre proto's like the new Ford Interceptor.
I think the goal is to make this stuff more hands free.
Hands-free has no bearing on safety. Info overload gets people killed.
Nah, but the windshield will suddenly go solid blue for no good reason.
"Please enter your Genuine Validation Tool PIN number now or your Ford/Microsoft product will be immediately disabled"
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