By
Rick Elkins
Tulare County - Beginning July 1, picking up your cell phone to answer a call while you are driving will be against the law. Ford has come up with an answer.
Ford now offers a state-of-the-art SYNC in-car communications and entertainment system, developed with Microsoft, to California's 29.7 million cell phone subscribers.
SYNC is now available as an option on most Ford models and this fall will
be available on the redesigned F-150 pickup, the most popular pickup in America.
It is currently available in: Ford Edge, Explorer, Focus, Fusion, Sport Trac,
Taurus, Taurus X, Lincoln MKX and MKZ, and Mercury Milan, Mountaineer and
Sable.
“It is a very affordable option at $395,” said Adam Robles, with
PCG Campbell, a marketing company that is working with Ford. There are no
other charges with the system because you are using your current cell phone
plan. And, he pointed out, you have only the one cell phone number.
What sets SYNC apart from the On-Star system that has been available on GM
models for several years is SYNC can be tied to a person's cell phone and
that cell phone billing plan. On-Star requires a new cell phone subscription
and bill.
“You set up with the phone. Once you've set it up, you don't even have
to take it (cell phone) out of your pocket,” said Robles.
The option comes as California is about to make it illegal to hold and talk on a cell phone while driving. Basically, the law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while driving. Drivers 18 and older can use a hands-free device, while those younger will be prohibited from speaking on a cell phone, hands-free or otherwise.
SYNC provides consumers the convenience and flexibility to bring digital media players – Apple iPods, Microsoft Zunes and other MP3 players – and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones into their vehicle and operate the devices via voice commands or with the vehicle's steering wheel or radio controls.
Robles demonstrated the system along with two other representatives of Ford, telling how SYNC allows a person to use their radio or cell phone simply by voice command. “You can do everything with voice or dials on steering wheel,” he explained. You can even receive text messages and have programmed replies if you have the navigation system, he added.
He showed that the system will automatically interrupt music for a call and once you end the call the music resumes. The cars come with a SUB port to plug in iPods and other devices, which then can be operated by voice.
“The point of SYNC is you can do everything hands free,” said Stephanie Proos, also with PCG Campbell.
SYNC, which is comprised of upgradable software, will add new features later this year, including 911 Assist, a feature that will help drivers connect with emergency assistance in the event of an air bag deployment, and a Vehicle Health Report, which drivers can retrieve from the SYNC website. Further information and updates on SYNC can be found at www.syncmyride.com.
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