Could Ford Turn to Open Source to Grow Sync?
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week, Ford CEO Alan Mulally outlined a plan in which Sync, it’s voice-activated, in-car entertainment and communications system, could turn to an open source model to give third party developers a crack at developing apps for the system.
“We have seen so many relevant applications already developed for phones and most of the wireless companies down write their applications. We’ll do the same,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford’s Connected Services Organization, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, speaking about the Sync system. The Sync system is based on Microsoft technology and provides voice-activated access to the car’s radio, phones, and music players like Apple’s iPod. Currently Sync is installed in nearly a million Ford vehicles, and costs drivers $395 to activate.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Ford is very keen on Apple’s iTunes App store model, in which third party developers post and promote apps that work on with Apple’s iPods and iPhones, so a Ford-driven Sync app store might certainly be part of the company’s future plans. Ford is also exploring scenarios in which drivers can create a Sync avatar, much like the avatars gamers create on Nintendo’s Wii console. The avatar would greet the driver and offer information and personalized feedback in conversational language.
To be sure, copying 2008 Apple is not exactly cutting-edge innovation, but for one of Detroit’s Big Three automakers, Ford’s explorations in this direction are certainly encouraging. Could open source-based online communication systems help save the American auto industry from the brink of ruin? Coupled with something like WiMAX or 4G networking technology, Ford could have a winner here.
By Robert Pothier
Friday, 15 May, 2009at15:33
SYNC does not cost $395 to activate. On the vehicles that it is not standard equipment it does have a $395 line item option price, but there is no activation cost.