Cincinnati Ford Dealer » Damon Lavrinc

Ford updates Sync Destinations with voice controls, better traffic data

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:16:00 +0000

Filed under: Technology, Ford, Infotainment

Ford is extending its AppLink support to its own Sync Destinations app, finally providing voice control and including more accurate, real-time traffic and rerouting data thanks to its partnership with Inrix.

Surprisingly, you weren't able to access the app through voice commands before, but this latest version of Destinations allows the driver to access all the traffic, saved routes and direction services without having to tap their phone or touchscreen.

In addition to routing to saved destinations, users can send an address from their smartphone directly to the Sync system, get real-time traffic data with rerouting and report accidents, which helps increase the accuracy of Inrix's crowd-sourced traffic information.

The updated app for iPhones will be rolling out soon, but Android users will have to hold out for a few more months. Full details in the press blast and video below the fold.

Continue reading Ford updates Sync Destinations with voice controls, better traffic data

Ford updates Sync Destinations with voice controls, better traffic data originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is the 2013 Ford Fusion

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:58:00 +0000

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Ford

We've still got a few days between us and the reveal of the 2013 Ford Fusion, but a minor bug in its iPad teaser app has given us an early glimpse of the all-new sedan.

As we showed you before, Ford enlisted the help of an interactive iPad app to count down the days until the Fusion's reveal. But today, an error with the app gave us a nice front-three-quarter view of Ford's new Camry-fighter, which has since been removed.

We're digging the low-slung stance, blacked-out Day Light Opening (greenhouse) and pixel-perfect wheel size, but it's the fascia that's easily the most handsome, combining elements of recent Ford concepts and polishing them up for production duty (along with a fair bit of Aston Martin in that grille). We'll be seeing much more in another three days, so stay tuned...

This is the 2013 Ford Fusion originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford setting up shop in Silicon Valley

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Filed under: CES, Technology, Ford

Ford will join the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen with a new research and development facility in California's Silicon Valley.

The new facility, due to open in the first half of this year, will be part of the Ford Research and Innovation unit, and will work in partnership with its Advanced Design Studio in Irvine, California. The Blue Oval team will also be working with Microsoft in Redmond, Washington.

Among the projects Ford's new Bay Area-based team will tackle: Open-source hardware and software, beginning with its partnership with Bug Labs; utilizing vehicle sensors to enhance real-time data (think windshield wipers activating and informing weather sites when it's raining); and new business models based around "personal mobility," something BMW has been actively pursing at its Mountain View, California facility.

The announcement comes right before Ford's fourth major showing at CES, including another appearance by FoMoCo CEO Alan Mulally, where the exec will expand on Ford's plans for the facility and its next developments with in-car technology. Full details in the press blast below the fold.

Continue reading Ford setting up shop in Silicon Valley

Ford setting up shop in Silicon Valley originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Ford Focus Electric heads to Google

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:32:00 +0000

Filed under: Etc., Hatchback, Ford, Electric

This time last year, Ford was pulling the wraps off the Focus Electric at CES in Las Vegas. Twelve months later, Ford is slowly beginning production of its first EV at its Michigan Assembly plant and dropped off one early example to the crew at Google.

We're not sure what the search giant is doing with Dearborn's inaugural EV, but something involving either Google Street View or its autonomous vehicle program isn't out of the question. Or maybe just Brin and Page wanted something with a 100-mile range and quick charging to replace their aging pair of Prii.

Continue reading First Ford Focus Electric heads to Google

First Ford Focus Electric heads to Google originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford teasing 2013 Fusion with new interactive app

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:31:00 +0000

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Ford

Ford is gearing up to unveil the 2013 Fusion at the Detroit Auto Show, and the hype machine starts with a new app for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

After downloading the app, you can point the device's camera at any Ford logo - be it on a car or a screen - and it opens to reveal a 360-degree view of an artfully pixelated Fusion and the ability to drive the new sedan along a series of courses.

Between now and the big show in January, a new course, feature and video clip will be unlocked, but you can get your first taste of the app in the video after the break.

Ford teasing 2013 Fusion with new interactive app originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford F-150 named 2012 Motor Trend Truck of the Year

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:59:00 +0000

Filed under: Truck, Ford

The next in the never-ending list of 'OTYs comes courtesy of Motor Trend and the buff book's crowning of the 2012 Ford F-150 as its Truck of the Year.

Aside from the expansive list of standard and optional features, the F-150's general fitment and polish, and Ford's claim that you can spec your workhorse in one of 650,000 different varieties, what seemed to win over the Motor Trend crew more than anything else was its drivetrain. And one engine in particular.

While the 5.0-liter V8 was a favorite, after all the judges sampled a Platinum EcoBoost SuperCrew variant fitted with the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, the vote was unanimous. The combination of 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, along with commendable - if not world-beating - fuel economy and 11,300-pound towing capacity was enough to put the EcoBoost over the top. Read all about the magazine's testing and assessment in its official pronouncement and check out a related video after the jump.

Continue reading Ford F-150 named 2012 Motor Trend Truck of the Year

Ford F-150 named 2012 Motor Trend Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A day in the life of Ken Block and his SYNC-equipped H.F.H.V.

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Specialty

Ken Block has extended his tireless Ford promotion to SYNC, equipping his Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle with FoMoCo's infotainment system to star - along with DC BMX rider Kelly Bolton - in his latest video.

The day-in-the-life comes in three acts, beginning with Block driving one of his Gymkhana-prepped Fiestas to LA's Cars and Coffee, followed by a brief lunch, filming of the previously released Gymkhana 4 and wrapping up with a parking lot smoke fest where Block and Bolton do what they do best. Although we're not sure what we're impressed with more: Bolton doing a backflip off a ladder after Block topples it going sideways or the fact that Ken was able to drive his hardly street-legal H.F.H.V. around LA for the day. Check it all out after the jump.

Continue reading A day in the life of Ken Block and his SYNC-equipped H.F.H.V.

A day in the life of Ken Block and his SYNC-equipped H.F.H.V. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MyFord Touch gets overhauled for 2013, existing models included [UPDATE]

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Technology, Ford, Design/Style, Infotainment

MyFord Touch has taken plenty of flack from both consumers and critics since its release last year. The combination of capacitive controls for the climate control system and a cluttered user interface on the center screen were proof that MyFord Touch was a very one-point-oh product. To be fair, it was obvious that Ford's new system was both very advanced and very powerful, but its cool reception suggests that Ford may have attempted to sprint when it should have jogged following the success of SYNC. The first iteration of MyFord Touch was overly complex and occasionally glitchy, triggering a fair amount of bad press around some of the industry's leading quality indexes. Now, the Dearborn automaker is out to rectify some of the issues with its system for 2013 models - and existing Ford drivers will benefit from the updates as well.

To start, Ford has expanded the features of MyFord Touch to now include Apple iPad connectivity and access to Audible.com audiobooks through voice commands or the touchscreen. A range of improvements are also being implemented for better Bluetooth telephone connectivity, an updated map experience from TeleNav and Navteq, along with new Gracenote album cover art and improved voice recognition powered by Nuance technology.

The most obvious and front-facing updates have come in the form of a reworked interface for the central touchscreen. Ford claims to have significantly enhanced or augmented over 1,000 screens in the MyFord Touch system, using larger, bolder fonts, making the designs more consistent and removing low-priority elements while bringing the most frequently used controls closer to the driver. All that, plus improved touchscreen response time - something Ford heard loud and clear from owners - that's up to two times faster than the outgoing system.

These MyFord Touch enhancements are set to debut early next year on the 2013 models, with updates for existing owners going out around the same time (we've been told MyLincoln Touch will get similar upgrades). Overall, it looks like a solid - if not mind-blowing - update and you can see some before and after shots in the gallery above, along with the full details in the press release below the fold.

UPDATE: Video added after the jump.

Continue reading MyFord Touch gets overhauled for 2013, existing models included [UPDATE]

MyFord Touch gets overhauled for 2013, existing models included [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford extending MAP text support to more models

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Ford, Infotainment

In the sixth major software update to Ford's SYNC system, the automaker is extending Message Access Protocol (MAP) Bluetooth support to select 2011 and 2012 models, giving drivers the ability to have text messages and emails read aloud in their SYNC-equipped vehicles.

MAP Bluetooth support has been available on a number of Ford vehicles since its introduction this year, but the software update (G1 V3.2.2) extends the functionality to supported a number of bluetooth equipped smartphones to allow users to hear SMS, MMS and email messages over the stereo. The update is set to roll out later this month and you can get all the details in the press blast below the fold.

Continue reading Ford extending MAP text support to more models

Ford extending MAP text support to more models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford and Bug Labs partner on open-source in-car platform

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:01:00 +0000

Filed under: Technology, Ford, Infotainment

Ford has quite the presence at this year's TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco. Not only did it bring out the Spotify crew to hack together the streaming music service into SYNC, but it's announced a partnership with Bug Labs to develop an open source infotainment platform for vehicles.

Bug Labs has been in the business of developing and supplying open source software and hardware for mobile devices, and the company is joining together with Ford to collaborate on an in-car research platform dubbed OpenXC. The partnership aims to bring the plug-and-play platform to vehicles, allowing developers to create new functionality that taps into everything from audio alerts to safety devices - but with limits, obviously.

The demo Ford and Bug Labs showed off in SF was a prototype system setup as a social, fuel economy game that lights up a series of LEDs when you're being eco-conscious with the throttle. It's not particularly mind-blowing, but seeding the software and hardware to devs means the next great in-car innovation could come from an unlikely source. Full details in the press blast below the fold.

Continue reading Ford and Bug Labs partner on open-source in-car platform

Ford and Bug Labs partner on open-source in-car platform originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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