Hasta La Gadget!

Ford may have just unveiled a revamped Sync system at CES 2010, but its competitors aren’t sitting still–especially given the sudden push for “connected” vehicles.

One such competitor is Kia, which has officially launched its UVO mobile entertainment system. Automobile reports that UVO is based on an embedded version of Microsoft Windows–just like Ford Sync.

UVO can recognize two different operator voices, and also creates personal profiles for each person in order to develop shortcuts, even in several languages. Kia designed UVO to adapt over time via over-the-air updates, as new cell phones, MP3 players, and other devices hit the market with new technologies.

A 4.3-inch LCD lets users access music, phone books, vehicle information, and an optional backup camera. The first car to get UVO will be the 2011 Kia Sorento this summer.

User experience — the focus of any savvy consumer electronics company (though not all) looking to differentiate itself in a marketplace saturated by imitators. Now an auto company is hoping to capitalize on this fundamental tenant of modern consumerism: Ford. With the introduction of MyFord, the Detroit institution will attempt to refashion the driver’s interface so as to more closely align with the rich graphic displays found on today’s consumer electronics. Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development, says “it’s not just a technology; it’s an experience… that will cause people to fall in love with their vehicles again.” Powered by the second generation of Ford Sync that is itself built upon Microsoft Auto 4.0, MyFord Touch offers improved voice recognition, touch-sensitive buttons, touch screens, and thumb-wheel controls that replace most traditional knobs and switches scattered about the driver’s cockpit. MyFord also boosts connectivity with the help of an SD card slot and WiFi. Information is displayed on a pair of 4.2-inch full-color LCDs flanking an analog speedometer with five-way navigation buttons on each side of the steering wheel crossbar that give the driver control over data on the corresponding left- or right-side display; vehicle data on the left (fuel economy, mechanical status, safety features) and infotainment on the right (audio setting, climate controls, phone communications and navigation menus). An 8-inch touchscreen LCD at the top of the center console stack is the centerpiece of phone, navigation, climate and audio/entertainment functions and features fingertip slider controls for adjusting the audio volume and fan speed — voice commands can also be used in most cases.

In yet another blow to makers of personal GPS navigators, Ford is also making its existing Traffic, Directions & Information application standard on all MyFord and Sync-equipped cars. Enhanced 3D map-based navigation is enabled by upgradeable SD cards (supplied by TeleNav) containing the map database and voice data, 3D map graphics, and enhanced point-of-interest data from Wcities. Naturally, the navigation system takes full advantage of those 3x MyFord LCDs to displays visual cues like street names, directional arrows, and distance makers in addition to spoken turn-by-turn directions.

Expect to see MyFord branded as MyLincoln Touch and MyMercury Touch on respective Lincoln and Mercury branded rigs kicking off with the 2011 Lincoln MKX set for reveal at the North American International Auto Show next week.

MyFord Touch yields three screens and a Ford from Microsoft Auto 4.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sure, you could go the easy route and pick up a MiFi, but if you’re serious about your on-the-road wireless broadband, you should probably buy an entire car. Ford’s next generation of Sync systems will have built-in WiFi and the capability of sharing a 3G connection with the car’s driver-defined white list of approved devices. It’s a bring-your-own-3G-card affair (you jack into the Sync’s USB plug), and sounds like a nice way for Ford to get you to pay for a 3G connection that could theoretically fuel some of those upcoming Sync apps. The second generation of Sync is due to launch next year, and we should be seeing plenty of it at CES in January: Ford’s CEO has the opening keynote.

Next-gen Ford Sync adding WiFi hotspot capabilities, you provide the 3G modem originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Since we’re already on the topic of fairy dust, how about a new all-wheel drive supercar that can purportedly thrust you from nought to sixty in 2.5 seconds? New startup Kepler Motors is about to unveil its first vehicle and its ambition is nothing short of staggering. Employing a 550bhp Ford Ecoboost petrol engine to drive the rear wheels and a 250bhp electric motor for the front pair, this machine also comes with a carbon fiber chassis and carbon ceramic brakes to really make the theoretical numbers look ridiculous. Of course, it’s still only a concept for the Dubai International Motor Show, but production plans are already set for 2011. You’ll just have to make sure to be among the 50 richest people interested in owning one, because that’ll be the entire production run.

Kepler Motion brings 800bhp using dual-engine hybrid magic originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 2010 Ford Taurus runs second to the BMW 7 Series as Digital Drive Car of the Year. Call it the Bang for Buck Car of the Year, even if its price fully loaded hits $40,000.

We can explain: Where BMW delivers a broad front assault with most every state-of-the-art technology imaginable, Ford delivers the technology you need, affordably. Lots of technology: active cruise control, collision alert, blind spot detection, cross traffic alert, fillerless gap cap, butt-massaging seats,Sync, 911 Assist, and the My Key for tiered teen-driving privileges. Some Ford tech features aren’t even on BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, or Lexuses. Order every Taurus option, and you’ll still be at half the price–half the base price–of the BMW 7 Series.