Hasta La Gadget!

Ford of course knows a lot about trucks, and Toyota has a couple decades of hybrid knowledge in its back pocket. So, if you were looking to make a hybrid truck, wouldn’t you want to bring these corporate titans together? Shockingly that’s actually coming to pass, with the two companies announcing a “memorandum of understanding” today that will see them acting as “equal partners” to create a new rear-wheel drive hybrid platform intended for light trucks and SUVs — but sadly not sports cars. That platform is expected to be completed by sometime next year, but the two will also be sharing data to advance infotainment and in-car technology systems, meaning someday your Entune might talk to your Sync and the whole telematics world could be a better place.

Continue reading Ford partners with Toyota to share technology, create new hybrid system for trucks and SUVs

Ford partners with Toyota to share technology, create new hybrid system for trucks and SUVs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 10:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Ford bringing SYNC systems to base trim levels, drops from $395 to $295

Ford bringing SYNC systems to base trim levels, drops from $395 to $295 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford is keeping up with the dashboard arms race by beta-testing live operator assistance within its SYNC system. If the voice-controlled navigation fails to capire no matter how loudly you panic, it’ll give you the opportunity to say “operator” and vent at a real-life human being instead. Of course, GM drivers already have this option via OnStar, and there’s also the OnStar FMV for everyone else, but the premium annual subscription is a hefty $299. Meanwhile, SYNC costs just $60 per year after a three-year complimentary period. Some of those bucks will trickle down to Wisconsin-based MyAssist, whose operators are set to handle the incoming salvos on Ford’s behalf. The question is, who can they call? Navigate to further details in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Ford adds operator assist to its SYNC service, lets you scream at a cospecific

Ford adds operator assist to its SYNC service, lets you scream at a cospecific originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Back when we gave Ford’s SYNC AppLink a test drive in that little green Fiesta, we got word that the Mustang was next in line to receive the service. Well, earlier this year, the auto outfit Linked-up the Mustang and now it’s rolling out the application for 10 new 2012 models, including the F-150, Fusion (Hybrid and otherwise), Super Duty, and Expedition. It also says it’s got a slew of developers lining up to bring hands-free control of their apps to AppLink. For now, though, no matter which SYNC-enabled beast you boast, or which OS you’re rocking (BlackBerry OS, iOS, or Android), you’ll be riding dirty with just two linked apps at most. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Ford SYNC AppLink gets rolling in ten new models, still just three apps deep

Ford SYNC AppLink gets rolling in ten new models, still just three apps deep originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 06:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week’s most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us — it’s the Week in Green.

Did you know that the cell phone in your pocket could be causing the collapse of bee colonies? This week Inhabitat reported the alarming news as Swiss researchers confirmed that cell signals confuse bees and are leading to their deaths. We also looked at a Bill Gates-funded plan to power cell phones using dirt, and we spotted a new phone battery that can be charged by yelling at it — much to the chagrin of everyone else on the bus.

Alternative transportation got a boost this week as Japanese engineers unveiled a levitating high-speed electric train that flies over the earth, and we shined a light on Berkeley’s new solar-powered Impulse racer, which is gearing up to blaze a trail in the 1,800-mile World Solar Challenge. It was a big week for biofuels as well as Ford and Georgia Tech unveiled plans to create the first hydraulic hybrid U.S. school bus and UK scientists cooked up a plan to power cars with Cornish pasties.

In other news, this week a New Jersey Toys “R” Us unveiled plans to build the largest solar roof in the United States, and HyperSolar rolled out a magnifying film that can increase the efficiency of photovoltaic panels by 300%. In green lighting news, we watched Google flip the switch on its brilliant Android-controlled LED bulb, and we announced the Philips and Inhabitat Bright Ideas Lighting Design Competition, which is awarding $1,000 to the designer of the most stunning eco-friendly lamp. Finally, we got excited for the start of summer with a look at the Lapin Kulta Solar Kitchen, which will be serving up sun-cooked meals all across Europe!

Inhabitat’s Week in Green: floating trains, dead bees, dirt-powered phones and Cornish pasties originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 22:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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