Sync3 is designed for hands-free use, but a new touch screen is similar to a smartphone or tablet.
In a ‘one more time with feeling’ encore, Ford Motor changed its tune on its much-derided and pioneering MyTouch voice recognition system by saying today that its future generation of infotainment and touch screen systems will be marketed as Sync3 globally.
Ford claimed – once again – faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, an intuitive smartphone-like touch screen and an easier-to-understand graphical interface to help connect and control their smartphone on the road. Sync3 3 begins arriving on new vehicles next year. Ford also claimed it reduces on-screen complexity and prioritizes the control options customers use most.
The home screen has three zone choices – Navigation, Audio and Phone. Tile-like icons are on the screen along with a quick access function bar along the bottom. Ford said it used 22,000 customer comments and suggestions, plus research clinics, market surveys and tech industry benchmarking. More than ten million Sync/ MyTouch systems are on the road.
Ford was first to bring voice control to in-vehicle apps with AppLink, that allows customers to connect their smartphone to their vehicle and control their compatible apps using voice commands or buttons on the vehicle display screen. AppLink now discovers smartphone apps including Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, NPR One, SiriusXM Radio and iHeartRadio Auto, and displays their graphics and branding. Music and news apps are automatically displayed along with other media sources, including AM/FM or SiriusXM.
