Ford SYNC 2.0: Now With 911 Assist
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas over the weekend, Ford and Microsoft announced the first round of updates for the popular SYNC hands-free system. Wait a second: SYNC has only been available for a few months and they’re updating it already? Does that mean you have to get a new one for $395?
No, it does not. SYNC’s software is updateable, so anyone with a current SYNC system can get the updates installed. How, they haven’t said. What’s new? Two features that take direct aim at GM’s OnStar system.
A 911 Assist feature will use a connected cell phone to dial a local 911 operator after a crash. The system will detect when air bags deploy and then dial 911. Ford says because it dials 911 directly — and then uses a pre-recorded message to tell operators what has happened before allowing the driver to talk or, in case the driver can’t talk — it is faster than “competitive systems” that use operators to reach local 911 centers. This is one of OnStar’s most talked-about features.
The other SYNC update provides vehicle maintenance reports for drivers. The report is delivered to you via email or by text message.
Since both features use the driver’s own cell phone, there is no monthly fee for either. The updates will be available later this year.
