Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Ford Sync System Making Life Easier

A product of the joint force of Ford and Microsoft, this Ford Sync System simply allows you to have hands-free use of mobile phones, digital music players, iPods, car computers and navigation systems. This one is powered with a speech recognition system.

It sounds very convenient, isn’t it? Imagine operating those gadgets without even touching those things. It could even convert text messages into synthesized voice right to even the lazy abbreviations. Hmmm… The first time I’ve seen this online, it made me wonder. Does it also convert your voice into text messages, in reply to what you received? I guessed not. Then, later on, upon browsing more information about it, I have known that it won’t. It would be limited to canned or saved messages, more of a template type, in response. But at least, that’s better than having to type the message away yourself.

This unique system integrates MP3 players and Bluetooth phones to the stereo system for the driver’s flexibility to their digital assets. This system also includes a high-end stereo and navigation system.

Being a very useful system, Lincoln models is planned to have it as one of their standard features, while it is optional for most Ford and Mercury vehicles.

A “Push to Talk” button is found in the steering wheel controls to work specifically for this system.

This system is not yet completely programmed since Microsoft is still in the process of fixing the access to MP3 music from phones. But, hopefully, they are eager to have the functions perfected. Compared to other softwares, this would be more preferable since Ford and Microsoft would be making it affordable and widely available in the market. This makes Ford more competitive. But, they won’t be releasing it not until everything is polished. They wouldn’t want to create customer backlash.

I won’t be wondering if others would try to cope and come up with this kind of technology in the coming years. It might even be including in high-tech Audi accessories. But, for sure, this is coming out in the Ford Focus, Fusion, Taurus cars, Edge crossover, Explorer SUV, Lincoln cars and Mercury vehicles.

Posted by Dhagz at 08:59:31 | Permalink | No Comments »

In-Car Music Influences Drivers

 

The type of music you listen to while driving influence your auto maneuvers. As a fact, road users say listening to music while driving can reduce motorists’ chance of having and meeting accidents.

A survey from Sainsbury’s Car Insurance found that more than four in five drivers believe music helps them to relax while 65% say it keeps them awake. But 14% of those polled reckoned they drove faster while listening to music, while 9% were distracted by it and 6% drove more aggressively.

The findings seem to jibe with DriveSafe organization’s latest survey. The Bolton News reported the organization found that as many as 65% of people reckoned music influenced their behavior while driving.

Around the same number believed listening to certain types of music could cause road rage, the report added. The survey also revealed the following:

  • 16 per cent of motorists admitted to initiating a road-rage incident.
  • 43 per cent have been a victim of road rage.
  • 55 per cent thought men under the age of 25 were the worst offenders
  • 70 per cent felt the type of car someone drives can attract more aggression from offenders.
  • 62 per cent believed there was not enough attention given in schools to road safety and driver education.

Fay Goodman, of DriveSafe, said: “It’s concerning that so many drivers have been affected by incidences of road rage. Education is key to ensuring drivers are taught not only the skills of how to drive, but also how to behave appropriately. It is essential that learner drivers are taught early on how to drive responsibly on the road.”

Dr. Carol Holland of Aston University, who analyzed the survey, said: “This initial investigation suggests experience and fear of aggression on the roads is a bigger issue than previously thought.”

So choose your music meticulously - it might cost another person his precious life.

Posted by Dhagz at 06:27:49 | Permalink | No Comments »