Ford SYNC Granted with Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award

Ford SYNC achieved the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award and was recognized for its high standard design and engineering.

According to James Meigs, Popular Mechanics’ Editor-in-Chief, “Popular Mechanics is, at its core, devoted to recognizing innovations that re-imagine the role that technology and science play in our lives. All of this year’s group of Breakthrough Product Award winners do just that – and demonstrate the wide range of industries that can be transformed through smart, creative engineering.”

Introduced this fall in 12 Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles, Ford SYNC was developed and prepared on the Microsoft Auto software platform. The advanced software allows users and customers to bring and use digital media players in their vehicles. These players may include Microsoft Zunes, Apple iPods and any other MP3 players. They could also bring Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and operate these devices using voice commands or by the redundant radio controls of the steering wheel. The SYNC allows the voice of consumers to command their Bluetooth mobile phones as well as digital media players.

“The system is as flexible as a Romanian gymnast. Since its functionality is software based, adding capability simply entails downloading a file. Voice command is another sweet spot—the best we’ve tried,” Chuck Tannert said. He is the senior editor and writes for Popular Mechanics’ October 2007 issue.

“It’s affordable, upgradeable and comes in a wide variety of rides. Well done, Ford,” Tannert briefly said.

SYNC is commonly offered on high-series models from Mercury and Ford automobiles like Ford Focus SES and Ford Edge Limited. The software will also be a standard feature on Lincoln vehicles.

Visit Media Ford to view the entire press release.