An important benefit of Ford’s innovative SYNC system – the ability for users to quickly and easily download new software upgrades – was again in the spotlight recently, as the automaker announced a fresh update designed to allow more customers to take advantage of the system’s text-to-speech functionality. Ford Houston said the SYNC G1 V3.2.2 software enhancement integrates Bluetooth’s “Messaging Access Profile,” or MAP, which was specifically designed for automotive applications and is on its way to becoming a new standard for the industry.
According to Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director for Bluetooth SIG: “Texting is becoming a ubiquitous part of our day, so it stands to reason the remote message access profile is an essential addition for handsets, automobiles, headsets and aftermarket car kits.
“The Bluetooth MAP standard gives users the ability to simply and smartly manage incoming text messages from their vehicle while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. We are seeing significant uptake in MAP adoption among phone makers, in particular with recent qualifications from manufacturers such as HTC, RIM, Samsung and LG.”
Ford actually had begun including MAP on its products last year by introducing it on 2011 vehicles also equipped with MyFord Touch. Greensboro Ford said the current initiative is aimed at improving text-to-speech abilities in the thousands of 2011 and 2012 vehicles relying on the first-gen SYNC system. Ford Dealerships In Kansas City MO Owners can now visit www.SYNCMyRide.com to see if their vehicles are compatible with the new software; SYNC users of eligible vehicles can then download the enhancement from the site to a portable jump drive, then plug the drive into their vehicle’s USB port to complete the update.
Said Mark Porter, supervisor of SYNC Product Development: “With our initial adoption of MAP for our latest generation of SYNC and our recent efforts to integrate it into our previous variations of the system, we hope we are setting an example that encourages more collaboration between Ford, the phone makers and the wireless industry to help drivers find smarter alternatives to hand-held texting while on the road.”
