Ford has announced it plans to add a Google Maps "Send to SYNC" service to beam driving directions into SYNC enabled cars for free.
Ford has picked Google Maps over Bing Maps for its SYNC technology, powered by Microsoft Auto. Launched in 2007, Ford SYNC is available in select cars and providers drivers with voice-activated dialing, services news, weather and traffic reports. SYNC users can connect up their phones, MP3 players and other Bluetooth devices to use in the car. SYNC runs on Microsoft"s Auto, an embedded operating system based on Windows CE.
"Send to SYNC" is a new capability added to the Ford Service Delivery Network, the company"s cloud-based architecture, which provides a suite of voice-activated services accessible through a users mobile phone. "Printing paper directions from a website is a relic in our digital age," said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization. "With Send to SYNC, you can map a destination at home, at work – wherever you have connectivity."
When users visit Google Maps on the web to find locations, they will have the option to send a selected destination to their Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle via a "send" menu on the site. An optimal route is then calculated using the latest traffic information and is then downloaded to the car for navigation to begin. Ford says the capability will launch later this month.