Microsoft's 'Sync' to drive Ford car technology-WSJ
Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:09am ET
NEW YORK, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. (F.N: Quote, Profile , Research) plans to unveil a deal with Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile , Research) in January that will put the software company's technology into some of the automaker's cars, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The system, to be called "Sync," includes a hands-free Bluetooth wireless system and an in-vehicle operating system that eventually will be an option for the entire Ford brand lineup, the WSJ said.
Sync is designed to allow hands-free mobile phone communication and other wireless information transfers in the car, including email and music downloads, the sources told the WSJ.
It will debut next year as an option on at least two Ford brand models, the Focus and Five Hundred sedans, a person familiar with the matter told the Journal. The paper also said the system would be an option on the entire lineup, including trucks starting in the 2008 model year.
The company plans to announce Sync at the Detroit auto show and the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas during the week of Jan. 10, and Microsoft spokesman Chris Elliott told the WSJ that the company has been working with Ford on certain technologies and will have an announcement at the shows, but declined to discuss specifics.
Representatives for Ford and Microsoft were not immediately available for comment.
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