Ford SYNC has been challenged by Airbiquity, a global leader in wireless connected services for your in-car listening. Although not easily accessible unless you own one of 12 different Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars in North America, starting with the 2008 model year, SYNC, up until now, has had the edge ('Derek Jeter's got an Edge') in in-car wireless technology. Airbiquity, which has worked with Ford in the past, is now taking on the auto company. Airbiquity has a new toy it showed off at Telematics Detroit, a conference on in-vehicle connected systems - Slacker, the Internet radio service which can be hosted on a smartphone connected to the car through Bluetooth. The interface shows driver and passenger station lists, album art, and the currently playing track. Buttons let the driver skip, pause and choose favorite songs. Airbiquity points out that its architecture lets automakers or equipment suppliers dictate which apps can be integrated and how. The company says the intent is for automakers to deploy safe, nondistracting interfaces that still allow users core functionality for their apps...
Ford SYNC was developed by Ford and Microsoft. Displayed for the first time in 2007, SYNC allows iPod, Zune and most other USB mass storage devices and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones to be operated by voice commands. SYNC can even receive text messages and read them aloud using a digitized female voice named "Samantha." I would assume her last name is SYNC. Wait, didn't she have a hit called 'Emotion' ? SYNC can interpret a hundred of so shorthand messages and will read swear words - does the FCC know about this???
Airbiquity is not a newcomer to the wireless world and their new relationship with Slacker which can deliver custom music stations and over 120 programmed stations wirelessly using Bluetooth technology makes them a formidable opponent for SYNC...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1935] The birth of AA: Alcoholic Anonymous is founded by William G. Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith…
2.1944] Knucksie sighting: Cincinnati pitcher Joe Nuxhall becomes the youngest major leaguer at 15 and change…
3.1967] On the seven day they rested: The Six-Day War ends as Israel and Syria agree to observe a U.N. mediated cease-fire...
4.1978] Affirmed and confirmed: Affirmed with jockey phenom Steve Cauthen wraps up the Triple Crown with a win over Alydar in the Belmont Stakes. Affirmed is still our last Triple Crown champ…
5.1984] Celtic Pride: The Boston Celtics do it again by beating the Los Angeles Lakers to take NBA title #15...
6.1985] Acquitted: Socialite Claus von Bulow is acquitted by a jury in Providence (RI) in his second trial on charges of attempted murder of his heiress wife Martha “Sunny” von Bulow…
7.1991] Storming down ticker tape: Desert Storm troops get a hero’s welcome home with a ticker tape parade down the “canyon of the hero’s” on Broadway…
8.1991] Motown funeral: Michael Jackson pays for the funeral while Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin sing at the burial of Temptations lead singer David Ruffin…
9.2002] ‘Happy Trails’: Organized crime figure John Gotti dies in prison at 61 from throat cancer…2004] The great Ray Charles passes away from liver disease at home in Beverly Hills. Ray was 73…
10.2007] Series whacked: The final episode of "The Sopranos" airs on HBO...
Music Memories:
•1966] Gold Standard: "Monday, Monday" - Mamas and Papas goes gold...
•1966] Debuted on this date: Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco...
•1967] Released on this date: "I Was Made To Love Her" - Stevie Wonder...1978] "Life's Been Good" - Joe Walsh...
•1972] Elvis is in the building: Elvis Presley makes his first performance in New York, one of the biggest events I've ever witnessed. I also attended the press conference...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Tara Lipinski (28), Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (39), Elizabeth Hurley (45), Wayward politician John Edwards (57), Jeff Greenfield (67), Shirley Owens (Shirelles) (69), F. Lee Bailey (77) and Prince Philip (89)...
Timeline Countdown: 10 days until Father's Day, 11 days until summer and 24 days until July 4th...
