Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

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Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

January 08, 2008, 10:16:27 AM

So back in the fall of 2001 I posted a blog about how Ford is stupid for not answering GM's OnStar with something viable (reference here).

Gosh, it only took 7 years for them to respond...sort of:
http://www.blueovalnews.com/index.php?categoryid=12&p2_articleid=632

Now I don't know what's scarier: the fact that it took this long for a similar product, or the fact that it's hooked to something that Micro$oft controls.

Still, as affordable as the Sync system is, and for its widespread availability on most all Ford/L/M vehicles next year, it's a no-brainer to have this feature in a vehicle, if just for the safety margin alone. It's just a shame that it took so long. How many more lives could have been saved in that time period...

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #1 – January 08, 2008, 10:33:04 AM

i think they were pressured to do this emergency call thing plus the other stuff b/c thats a cornerstone of GM's fleet all having on-star. i don't know about this sync thing, i just know its made by Microsoft? will it CRASH?!?!?! lol! but anyway, i wonder how well it stacks up against onstar, you can get that thing to get you reservations at a restaurant!

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #2 – January 08, 2008, 10:51:14 AM

Sounds like a solid idea, although your phone has to be compatable with the system. It's better than nothing though...

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #3 – January 08, 2008, 10:52:31 AM

Eric, we have been working with the SYNC system for about a year in our prototypes. The "bugs" and workarounds have been enormous, just as of last month, we did a Fusion SYNC commercial, no one had a phone that would auto-download the phone book into the vehicle, the phones firmware versions were either not up to date, or the firmware on the radio was not current, the 6 Fusions that we had were all brand new vehicles borrowed from the dealer. The concept is good, however in my opinion, they have a long way to go. Here is a list of SYNC compatible phones, first pick a vehicle (each vehicle is compatible with different phones) then you have to click on your phone model to see what features work and don't work. Downloading of your phone book is essential if you want to access the voice calling feature of the system, i.e. "call home" "call Joe Blow" etc.

http://www.syncmyride.com/Own/Modules/Intercepts/InterceptIOP.aspx

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #4 – January 08, 2008, 11:09:54 AM

Quote from: ~AC;196421

... its made by Microsoft? will it CRASH?!?!?! .....

Um, lemme think, YES! :)

Quote from: gunkel04;196429

.... The "bugs" and workarounds have been enormous......

Also "normal" for a Microsoft product. It'll be fine after they get SP2 out.

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #5 – January 08, 2008, 11:26:15 AM

So, will the Sync have the Red Ring of Death like the 360 did?

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #6 – January 08, 2008, 12:09:19 PM

Ford shoulda made the deal with Apple... or china for that matter, either way it would be a better product then something from Microsoft. I have to say the OnStar service is great, i havent had more then a glimpse at the Sync sometime last month at the local dealership.

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #7 – January 08, 2008, 12:20:24 PM

Umm, excuse me but Mr. Gates has made it clear several times that Microsoft software does not have any “BUGS”!
There are a few “Known Anomaly’s” but there is not one bug in the software!

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #8 – January 08, 2008, 04:14:41 PM

OnStar actually found a hit and run driver for us! The car with Onstar hit another vehicle and took off. An OnStar rep called 911 and were patched through to our dispatchers. The rep gave ll the vehicle info to include the owners address to 911. Talk about getting owned by your car and it's options :flame:

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #9 – January 08, 2008, 06:49:02 PM

Quote from: V8Demon;196494

OnStar actually found a hit and run driver for us! The car with Onstar hit another vehicle and took off. An OnStar rep called 911 and were patched through to our dispatchers. The rep gave ll the vehicle info to include the owners address to 911. Talk about getting owned by your car and it's options :flame:

In my opinion, (and remember, this ONLY MY opinion :D) I think that THAT is about the only viable use i'd ever have for blondestar/sync/whatever....

Too many dumbasses on the road today using cell phone and not knowing where they're going in the first place.

What they need to do next is come up with something in the systems that can detect alcohol in a person's breath and disable the car, call a taxi, police, and fire departments all at once.
Now that, boys n girls is a ed fine idear.

Reservations?? jeeze...people are lazy...too lazy to dial a few numbers in your phone..hell...let's fiddle around with gadgets while driving!
I think we all need to go back horses and wagons...how many horse turds does it take increase the level of oxides!?

PS...even when you're drunk, if your hoss is well trained, you'll probably make it home.
Pfffft..i was born 150 years too late, lol

Seriously, I neither want nor need this electro- in my car.
Airbags are about my limit.
But...that's just MY opinion! :hick:

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #10 – January 08, 2008, 07:51:04 PM

i dunno about horse and buggies... i mean thats just too slow. 1 maybe 2 horsepower?!?! COME ON!!! prolly does have a good amount of torque tho.

you dont HAVE to have onstar enabled, although it works in emergencies.

Also i dont see a problem with using a cell phone while driving, as long as your not having hour long conversations on the phone and driving. i use mine while i drive but i hate talking on the phone so its one of those "yup yup iight bye" conversations.

as far as electronic stuff int he car, all i want is a radar detector, radio, and my digital cluster (Which is bein an ass right now) i HATE ABS, it makes coming to a stop a longer distance and if you know how to brake, steering while hard braking with non-ABS isnt an issue. airbags might save lives in 45+ mph collisions, but other than that they're just a bomb mounted on the dash and steering wheel. i actually got injured when i rearended an idiot who pulled out infront of me b/c it knocked my hand off the wheel and into the dash, brused wrist and banged up knuckles and fingers. didnt even touch the bag. plus have you ever set one off? it IS A BOMB. my dad's new car has TCS and ESC, which is driving nannys. to me, my thunderbird is perfect, no airbags, no abs, no tcs, no esc, nothing to increase my chances to have a wreck. i know how to drive, and i've avoided plenty just b/c i didnt have any nanny's controlling my car for me, thats what a driver is for.

that goes back to this onstar sync stuff, why cant people do shiznit themselves, the onstar and sync stuff arent even for stuff that takes skill!

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #11 – January 08, 2008, 10:49:43 PM

Quote

What they need to do next is come up with something in the systems that can detect alcohol in a person's breath and disable the car

This has been around for a few years. It's called an autolock and can be court issued for motorists who are convicted of DWI but receive a conditional type license (first offense types). They are fussy. From what I understand spraying perfume in the car will set it off and deem the vehicle inoperable for 20 minutes or so. Some of the newer ones require blowing every 5 minutes or so even after the car is on and has been driving around. It won't Shut down at this point if it receives a positive reading, but will record it and enough of them will deem the car inoperable until the system is unlocked.

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #12 – January 09, 2008, 12:31:59 AM

yeh they had those in Europe for ages. some cars come with them as an option (i guess if your buying a kid one?) but they're like what demon said, court ordered mostly. i forget how it connects to the car, but i bet you could prolly disconnect it some how. not that i would, nor would i be in the position to have one on my car, and as a matter of a fact i wouldn't even do it for anyone.

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #13 – January 09, 2008, 08:40:13 AM

Ford was working on something called Telematics for their Lincolns with Motorola to match Onstar back in the day. They canned it for some reason. I don't know why.

I personally don't know why Onstar is still around. The renewal rate after it expires on new vehicles is under 5%. Which means that GM is paying for all the subscriptions.

Another (Un)Timely Ford Decision

Reply #14 – January 09, 2008, 09:27:31 AM

That version was called "Wingcast", Ford was in bed with Qualcomm at the time, we had a few prototypes with the onstarlike system installed, this was back in early 2000 I believe, however in the end, I think it came down to money, that, and anything to do with Jaqcues Nassar was being either cut or re-vamped. Here is an interesting however untrue story:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Auto_News/Ford_Qualcomm_Team_for_Wingcast.S175.A1849.html