Automaker Ford has been hyping up its Microsoft-based Sync technology, which enables users to manage their music, makes hands-free calls, get news and information, and (of course) hear turn-by-turn directions using a cloud-based Internet services. Now, Ford is finally letting Sync step a little outside the Microsoft ecosystem: starting next month, folks with Sync-enabled vehicles will be able to pick destinations using Google Maps and send them to their Sync-enabled vehicles. Users find their destination using Google Maps—using a PC, smartphone, or other device—then send the destination to their Ford vehicles through the cloud-based Sync Traffic, Directions, and Information (TDI) application.
“Printing paper directions from a Web site is a relic in our digital age,” said Ford Connected Services Solutions director Doug VanDagens, in a statement. “With Send to Sync, you can map a destination at home, at work—wherever you have connectivity—and when you get to your car, it already knows where you want to go. It’s convenient and it eliminates the waste and distraction of paper maps, conserving resources while helping drivers keep their eyes on the road.”
Users will also be able to download destination information into the vehicle from Bluetooth enabled phones and devices: the Sync system will offer turn-by-turn directions to the destination.
The Google Maps capability will be available via a “Send” option on the Google Maps site. Once in the Sync-equipped Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury vehicle, users just need to connect to the Sync TDI application and confirm the request to download Google Maps destinations. The system then does its own route planning.
The Google Maps integration should launch later this month for Sync-equipped 2010-2011 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles. Ford previously announced it plans to bring similar functionality to MapQuest later this year.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?
Update (October 22 23:54 PT): In response to our query, GM clarified that offline recording support is already available on eligible vehicles. Like Tesla's Sentry Mode, it requires owners to connect a USB drive to save incident recordings, which can be viewed on the vehicle's infotainment screen. The upcoming Connected Cameras feature will build on this by giving owners remote access to these recordings via the revamped OnStar app, allowing them to check footage without walking out to their car.
General Motors has announced plans to add a new Connected Cameras feature to its OnStar service starting next year, giving drivers a way to monitor parked vehicles remotely and capture footage of certain incidents.