What's Ford Sync -- and Can It Sell Cars?

Watching the Redskins game Sunday, it seemed like every 10 minutes Ford aired another commercial about its new cars with "Microsoft Sync" technology. I remember being at Bill Gates' keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, when he and a Ford guy unveiled the product. (Video below.) I also remember not writing a word about it at the time. It struck me as something more gimmicky than truly useful.

Sync is a voice-activated Bluetooth system for a car. The idea is that your voice can wirelessly control every gadget in your car, whether the built-in car stereo, an iPod, a cell phone, a GPS navigation device, or whatever. Which is a good idea from a safety point of view. But will many people desire it so much it would sway what kind of car they buy? Can't imagine. Plus, most of the population isn't at all used to feeling like Captain Kirk barking orders to the computer on the deck of the Enterprise.

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