Smart Cars Meet Smart Homes with Ford SYNC

PEKIN, Ill. – Ford is working on linking smart devices like Amazon Echo and Wink to allow Ford drivers more control between their houses and vehicles. Soon smart cars will meet smart homes with Ford SYNC.

Amazon Echo and Wink connectivity innovations are part of Ford Smart Mobility, which is the plan to take Ford to the next level in connectivity, mobility, and autonomous vehicles. Ford is planning on linking the home automation devices to its vehicles with the help of Ford SYNC. 

Smart cars will meet smart homes with Ford SYNC Connect technology by using the Amazon cloud-based voice service, Alexa. This will allow customers to access their vehicle controls inside their homes and vice versa. Using Amazon Echo, Ford owners could give Alexa a command from inside their home to do the following:

• Start/spot vehicle
• Lock/unlock
• State range and charge status of electric vehicle
• Check fuel level
• State vehicle mileage summary
• Provide vehicle location with street name and driving time

Or you can give Alexa a command from your vehicle for your home like:

• Turn porch light on/off
• Turn lights on/off
• Close/shut garage door
• Control thermostat
• Check security system

While Ford is figuring out all the systems, now is the best time to purchase a new Ford with the option of Ford SYNC. Come into Velde Ford today and we’ll find you a great vehicle to take home. At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit Velde Ford located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram

Ford and Microsoft Team Up to Launch New Connectivity Services

PEKIN, Illi. - There has been a lot of chatter going on from the automobile and technology markets. Word on the street is that Ford Motor Company and Microsoft are teaming up to launch new connectivity services for future Ford vehicles. After some technical complications with the previous Microsoft system on Ford vehicles, the automaker decided to take action and will work hand in hand with the technology giant to create an incredible connectivity experience for their customers!

Ford and Microsoft are teaming up to launch a new connectivity system to support SYNC 3; Ford's latest infotainment system. This upgraded version of SYNC will run on a cloud-based Azure platform from Microsoft and will help Ford effectively notice how owners of the vehicle use the system and will also them to recognize owner's driving habits. An up and coming feature on SYNC 3 will allow data to be collected wirelessly and processed to detect any mechanical or technical issues within the vehicle. If the system does happen to detect a problem, the software will then notify the driver about any maintenance required for the car. 

With this re-established relationship, Ford will be able to provide their customers with a broader set of connectivity services. SYNC 3 will still use Blackberry's QNX on-board operating system to provide users with a simpler layout, larger fonts, and a touchscreen that can swipe up, down, or across. By the end of 2016, all Ford vehicles in the United States will have switched to SYNC 3 and  all vehicles around the globe will have the new system by 2018. Reports say that SYNC 3 could start appearing on some of Ford Motor Company's 2016 models this year. 

At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford  at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

Follow us on: Velde GM Facebook, Velde Ford Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram 

Ford SYNC® 3 Enhances How Customers Stay Connected on the Road

PEKIN, Illi. - Last week, Ford Motor Company introduced SYNC® 3 to the world - a faster, more intuitive, and easier to use communication and entertainment system. Ford SYNC® 3 Enhances How Customers Stay Connected on the Road by providing drivers with more conversational voice recognition technology, a smartphone-like touch screen, and easy-to-read graphics.

Ford took a customer-centric approach when developing the SYNC 3 system. After sifting through 22,000 customer comments and suggestions, insights from research clinics, market surveys, and tech industry benchmarking, Ford Motor Company was able to rebuild a system that improves connectivity and gives customers what they want most.

While SYNC 3 is intended for hands-free use, the all-new touch screen provides customers with a similar experience to that of a smartphone or tablet. The screen now has a quicker response to touch, voice commands, and smartphone-like gestures like pinch-to-zoom and swipe. SYNC 3 has reduced on-screen complexity and itemized the control options that drivers use the most - Navigation, Audio, and Phone. Not only does reducing the amount of things on the screen make control easier, it also reduces the number of times a driver will need to glance at the screen.

The next-generation system has also mitigated the voice command process for users. When using SYNC 3, users can simply say something as vague as "play <song, artist, or album>" and the system automatically prompts to play that song, artist, or album. SYNC 3 is also equipped to better understand how consumers refer to businesses and points of interest. Drivers do not have to know the exact name; they can simply search "Detroit Airport" rather than using the official name "Detroit Metropolitan Airport".

Ford SYNC® 3 Enhances How Customers Stay Connected on the Road by improving the way customers connect their smartphones to their vehicle. AppLink is now faster and more responsive than ever before, making it easier for drivers to access their apps. All in all, SYNC 3's enhancements will make for a top-notch, user-friendly experience for Ford customers.

SYNC 3 will begin to arrive on new vehicles next year! If you can barely wait to take advantage of all that Ford SYNC has to offer, stop by Velde Ford and check out the 2015 Ford Fiesta or 2015 Ford Taurus. At Velde Automotive Group, we are committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Feel free to visit either of our dealerships, Velde Ford located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or Velde Cadillac Buick GMC is located at 2220 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Visit our websites: VeldeGM.com and VeldeFordPekin.com

Follow us on: Velde GM Facebook, Velde Ford Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram