Ford Ditches Microsoft For Sync 3

In an announcement on Thursday, Ford has revealed the next generation of its voice-control “infotainment” car system and the new strategy seems to have come as part of the company’s plan to refresh its image in the minds of consumers. With some rebranding, the auto manufacturer has tossed beside the name MyFord Touch and it is now calling it something trendier – sync 3.

And in a move which might surprise many, Ford has also ditched the Microsoft software and is now going in favor of BlackBerry’s QNX operating system for its third generation of interactive, touchscreen car system. The system is going to allow drivers to conveniently do things such as control the music in the car and map out their driving routes. The company claims that this connectivity system is much faster and has been made easier to understand.

Thanks to the voice recognition system, drivers will have no problem going around the system as it will be able to respond to more conversational commands. The car system has also been made smarter; while driving you no longer have to say out long addresses, just say the name of the place, for instance, JFK Airport, and the Sync 3 would know where exactly you want to go.

The system’s first ever version had come out in the year 2007 but the most criticism was sought for the second-generation MyFord Touch which had its fair share of critical comments. Things have greatly improved with this third generation improvement which is designed to act more like a smartphone. It will work entirely hands-free and the in-car touch screen interface is quite similar to what you would have on a tablet or a smartphone. Things have been made even better, thanks to the addition of the AppLink which works with Siri and allows drivers to use voice control in order to manage compatible apps, like Spotify, Pandora, NPR, Sirius XM Radio and more.

source: ford