DEARBORN, Michigan — Ford Motor Company and Microsoft have upped the technology ante inside of vehicles, announcing on Monday that Ford's Sync will be upgraded to bring Internet capability into vehicles starting next year. The next-generation Ford Sync will let passengers plug a USB modem directly into a vehicle's built-in Wi-Fi, creating broadband Internet access for all passengers.
In effect, Ford vehicles will become "rolling Wi-Fi hot spots," the automaker said in a statement.
"Inserting an owner's compatible USB mobile broadband modem — sometimes called an 'air card' — into Sync's USB port will produce a secure wireless connection that will be broadcast throughout the vehicle, allowing passengers with Wi-Fi-enabled mobile devices to access the Internet anywhere the broadband modem receives connectivity," explained Ford.
The automaker said upgraded Sync will work "with just about any technology you plug into it."
The technology will be factory-installed. Ford says when Sync sees a new Wi-Fi device for the first time, the driver must specifically allow that device to connect, preventing unauthorized users from hopping onto the Sync-provided system.
Inside Line says: Being constantly connected inside your vehicle has become the new Holy Grail for automakers. Expect others to follow Ford in short order. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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autoboy16 says:
01:14 PM, 12/23/2009
dc325ix, not quite. Its both. Its an aircard which allows access to the internet, that once connected to the USB provides the car with wifi. Meaning once the aircard (white usb stick pictured above) is connected, your car becomes a mobile hotspot.
perrito says:
09:03 AM, 12/23/2009
Idea: The WiFi goes dead if there is only a driver present (easy with a sensor), and the vehicle begins to move. Drivers, sadly, cannot be trusted. Cells have proven as much. Too instrusive? Tough - distracted drivers should not be anybody else's problem, yet they are.
jstandefer says:
03:23 PM, 12/22/2009
dc325ix: From the reading I've done around the web, it appears the new upgraded Sync will include a WiFi router as part of the package. The air card plugged into the Sync USB port would provide the 3G data connection to the router, which would then allow multiple users to share the single data connection. It doesn't sound like this capability will be available on existing Sync systems. There hasn't been any mention if existing Synch systems can be upgraded.
felonious says:
03:21 PM, 12/22/2009
Hmm now that I think about it, this isn't any better than some sort of mifi setup.
felonious says:
03:15 PM, 12/22/2009
dc325ix, I believe it's the latter. This would be my wife's dream come true, especially since the Flex already comes with an AC power outlet.
icecubefosho says:
01:34 PM, 12/22/2009
Two Words...
Sprint MiFi
4g63 says:
12:59 PM, 12/22/2009
this is very nice but i hope drivers wont be surfing or facebooking when they're driving. texting and driving already caused enough problems.
dc325ix says:
11:51 AM, 12/22/2009
this doesnt make sense - either you have an aircard which doesnt allow multiple people on it unless you have a router or you have a Wi-Fi hotspot - which would mean your aircard pluged into the USB would then have the car act as router and everyone can log in - so which is it?