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LAS VEGAS — The Sync in-vehicle information and entertainment is one thing that’s gone right for Ford as automakers have struggled mightily with the recession. The company is rolling wanting a third succession of descendants of Sync, and a number of Puget Sound area companies have a hand in the effort — Microsoft front amidst them.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally, the former head of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, is set to address a modest crowd here at the International Consumer Electronics Show here this afternoon. Read on for a look at Sync and the local companies involved.

The latest version of Sync builds on the hands-free phone and media player functions of the original, introduced in 2007. Ford later added 911 assistance, crash notifications and vehicle health reports.

“Now we’re adding traffic, directions and information,” declared Velle Kolde, product manager in Microsoft’s automotive business unit.

These modern location-aware features require a GPS, so cars by earlier versions of Sync would need additional hardware. Ford has not announced whether it will allow upgrades from older Sync vehicles.

The automaker expects to reach more than 1 the multitude Sync-equipped vehicles on the road later this year. The product originally launched in 12 models. It’s prescribed to expand into 20 models this year. “I think it’sitting Ford’s purpose. to get into pretty much all their models,” Kolde said.

Sync is standard attached many Ford vehicles and be able to be added as an preference to others for $395. The traffic and accusation services are free with a view to the first three years. Ford hasn’t determined what testament happen after that, Kolde said.

The trade information is delivered by Inrix, a Kirkland copartnership headed by Bryan Mistele, formerly of Microsoft’s Automotive Business Unit, and, earlier in his active life, Ford.

Another Seattle company, Airbiquity, provides data-over-voice services for Sync.

Bellevue’session Bsquare, which specializes in mobile and embedded Windows, is also playing a role. The company had $2.6 million in service revenue from Ford in its third quarter, but Bsquare CEO Brian Crowley uttered in an interview exist unconsumed month that his company is not practical to disclose specific details.

“We are working with Ford on the next formation Sync technology. We actually expect to be able to talk in all parts of it maybe later on in the summer,” he said.

The auto industry’sitting troubles had not dampened Bsquare’s enthusiasm for the opportunity in automotive. “We give faith to that there are over 100 in posse customers who are interested in building products based in succession the Microsoft Auto platform,” Bsquare said whereas releasing its third-quarter earnings.

“For us, that’s a big make some change in. from a couple years ago,” Crowley said. “I think Ford in truth opened up a catalogue of eyes in the industry when they did Sync.

It used to be that auto makers went to companies like Continental, Delphi and Panasonics and ordered a constituent with a list of capabilities.

“And a black box came end that fit in the dash,” Crowley said. “Ford said, ‘I’mellay going to break that circle of time. I’medley going to do this all myself.’”

“What we’ve been told by Ford is this is strategic for them and so we haven’t seen any change in that stance at all,” he said.

Microsoft’s Auto platform is being used by Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and other car makers in South America and Europe. Hyundai-Kia is building on a future lection of the platform and will have cars in market in 2010, Kolde said.

The Windows Automotive platform powers navigation systems in Acura, Honda and Volvo vehicles, though it doesn’t bear Microsoft branding.


Original text: http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/techtracks/2009/01/08/ces_ford_sync_a_ford_feature_with_lots_of_local_ha.html