Microsoft Syncs With Ford

Ford Motor Co. unveiled on Saturday a new entertainment and communication system running on software from Microsoft Corp. that aims to bring the connectivity of a computer to the car.

The "Sync" system allows drivers to make hands-free phone calls, listen to music on digital media players, including Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod, and have cell phone text messages read aloud.

Ford and Microsoft announced Sync on the eve of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

What happens when it crashes? No, not the car, the "entertainment and communication system"? If it does crash, do you have to pull over and turn off the car, wait a few moments, and start it again? Can you imagine the calls to Onstar when this hits the market?

OnStar call center: "Onstar, what's your emergency?"

You: "My car just crashed and all I have now is a blue Ford of death!"

[Long pause]

You: "Hello? Hello?"

I can hardly wait to see how you apply patches and bug fixes.

Cross posted at Kooks In Suits.