Melissa Guillergan
Sun
The Ford SYNC allows you to place or receive a call, or request a song, with the touch of a button on the steering wheel.
The Ford SYNC system is improving the conversation you have with your car.
For those looking for an integrated in-car communications and infotainment system, the next generation of the award-winning SYNC is now new and improved.
Its design is sleek, clean and integrates nicely into the interior. Smartphones connect to it with ease using the phone’s Bluetooth. An option for downloading the address book enables identification of incoming calls on the screen by full name, not just by phone number.
Also, iPod connectivity is simple with a dedicated AUX connection located in the centre console.
“With SYNC you can place or receive a call, or request a song from your digital media player with the touch of a button on your steering wheel and simple voice commands,” said Genevieve Auclair from Ford of Canada.
“Not only is it easy but, most importantly, it helps to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.”
Answering an incoming call using the steering wheel controls is a great hands-free feature.
One-word voice commands allow you to easily make calls as well.
Features such as viewing call logs, placing a call on hold and browsing your phone book are all possible.
Another great hands-free feature is the SYNC’s ability to read incoming text messages to you. It even translates popular text message phrases like “LOL” and :). Text to voice has long been a popular application on BlackBerrys and iPhones. It is great to see it as a feature built into a car’s communication system.
The built-in satellite radio is perfect for music lovers.
“We are thrilled to offer new Ford owners SIRIUS Satellite Radio, which is a standard feature in most of our vehicles, along with a six-month subscription. This feature allows our customers to surf up to 120 channels including 100 per cent commercial-free music, plus, the best sports, news, talk and entertainment across Canada,” said Gonzalo Contreras from Ford of Canada.
If an incoming call is answered while listening to either SIRIUS or an MP3/CD, the music automatically turns off and then resumes immediately once the call ends. Specific tracks can be selected through voice commands, such as “Play [Artist]” or “Play [Song Title].” Music through an iPod or MP3 player can also be selected through the steering wheel controls.
Overall, the best feature is SYNC’s ease of use in the integration of smartphones and iPods.
The upgraded version, launched just this year, is great for those looking for a complete in-car communications system that allows you to do activities safely that are normally impossible to do hands-free. So go ahead and talk to your Mustang, even more than you already do.
For more information, visit www.FordVehicles.com/SYNC.
Melissa Guillergan works for the Laura Ballance Media Group and loves looking for those Missing Parts that manufacturers fail to install in your ride. [email protected]
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