Posted May 14, 2012, by John Day
The in-vehicle telematics market in China is booming right now, according to IMS Research, but the next few years will be critical for future development of the market.
There are three main types of telematics systems in China – standalone systems like GM’s OnStar, embedded systems such as Toyota’s G-Book, and connected systems like Ford’s SYNC. Connected systems are the newest in the Chinese … Read More
Tags:
Toyota G-Book,
SAIC iVoka,
connect smart phones to cars,
Ford Sync,
Apple's Siri,
IMS Research,
navigation with real-time traffic,
GM OnStar,
IHS Inc.
Posted Sep 27, 2011, by John Day
It’s an article of faith in the automotive industry that customers want to bring their increasingly sophisticated smartphones into their vehicles and use them as easily and effectively as possible without having to take their eyes off the road or their hands off the wheel for more than a brief moment. From the customer’s perspective, the more freedom and flexibility they have to use smartphone “apps,” … Read More
Tags:
MovieTickets.com,
location-based services,
Nuance,
Bing,
Stitcher,
Toyota's Entune,
BMW ConnectedDrive,
Automotive,
OpenBeak,
Internet radio,
OpenTable,
iPhone/MP3 connectivity,
Pandora,
Ford Sync,
smartphone "apps",
iheartradio
Posted Jul 26, 2011, by John Day
Ford announced in England that in-car CD players are going the way of cassette tapes. The company noted that each Focus in the UK is equipped with an auxiliary input socket for connecting MP3 devices, and Bluetooth for wireless connection.
Ford said it’s increasing the availability of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio to UK customers, and will launch Ford SYNC next year. So customers won’t … Read More
Tags:
MP3 devices,
Ford Sync,
reel-to-reel tape players,
Bluetooth,
cassette tapes,
8-track players,
Ford,
Ford Focus,
Chrysler,
Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)
Posted Oct 14, 2010, by John Day
The New York Times published a positive story about Detroit this week (Oct. 12). It referenced the fact that U.S. brands edged imports in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study, 108 to 109 PP100 (problems per-100 vehicles within 90 days of purchase).
Ford cracked the IQS top five for the first time, and Lincoln had 23 fewer problems per 100 vehicles than it did last year. Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac all … Read More
Tags:
New York Times,
J.D. Power and Associates,
Chrysler,
Cadillac,
Chevrolet,
Buick,
GM,
GMC,
Ford,
Ford Sync
Posted Feb 22, 2010, by John Day
I’ve seen a lot of really cool automotive electrical and electronics technology that hasn’t yet reached the market, not because the technology won’t work but because automakers have not yet articulated a sufficient business case.
What’s the problem? I asked Ralf Hug specifically about the business case for telematics, where he has a lot of experience on both the OEM and supplier side. He asks himself … Read More
Tags:
Microsoft Windows,
Ralf Hug,
Ford Sync,
Telematics
Posted Nov 27, 2009, by John Day
Leftover thoughts about things for which to be thankful after the really important ones have been named: GPS – the fact that it knows where I am and can guide me to my destination and back again, pronouncing almost every street name and landmark correctly. We all but take this technology for granted, but it’s a big improvement over directions scribbled on the back of an envelope or, “two lefts, then … Read More
Tags:
GPS,
Mio Technology,
Ford Sync,
Personal Navigation Device (PND),
Speech Recognition,
Nuance Communications,
Nuance Vocalizer for Automotive
Posted Oct 20, 2009, by John Day
Electronics and software enable upwards of 80% of the innovative features that attract car buyers, according to Jim Buczkowski, Ford’s global director for electrical and electronics systems. Vehicles equipped with Ford’s Sync entertainment and communications system, for example, turn twice as fast on dealer lots as vehicles without the feature, and Buczkowski says that exposure to Sync doubles a prospect’s … Read More
Tags:
Ford,
Electric Power Steering Assist,
Ford Sync,
Automatic High Beam,
Rain-Sensing Wipers,
Rear-View Camera,
Automatic Park Assist,
Ford Taurus,
Cross Traffic Alert,
Forward Collision Warning,
EcoBoost,
MyKey,
Automotive Electronics,
Popular Mechanics,
Blind Spot Information System