Ford introduces MyFord Touch - the internet-connected car of the future

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Posted on 15 Jan 2010 at 10:30

Although you wouldn't expect to see many cars at the Consumer Electronics Show, Ford was there with its brand new Focus (which is set to go on sale in 2012) to show off its new MyFord Touch system, which includes internet access.

It's based around the Ford Sync system which was a joint effort with Microsoft, introduced in 2007. Sync communicated with your mobile phone via Bluetooth for hands-free calls, multimedia and navigation. MyFord Touch is essentially a new interface for Sync. Take a close look at the dashboard in our gallery and you'll see two separate screens. One sits in the main instrument cluster and relays information to the driver, such as navigation directions, while a large 8in touchscreen is centrally mounted.

This touchscreen lets you control many of the car's settings, including climate control and even the colour of the ambient vehicle lighting, but it can also be used for a 3D navigation view, watching videos or internet access. The interface looks similar to Apple's coverflow, where you flick your finger left and right to browse settings, music and videos.

One of the real advantages of the new system is that it will be voice-controlled. If you're driving alone, you will be able to control music playback simply by speaking, and keeping your eyes on the road. You'll be able to set your own photos as wallpaper via the SD card slot.

It's not a huge surprise to learn that 'apps' will be available for the system. Ford has released a programming kit to selected developers. On display at CES were Pandora (a build-your-own radio service), Twitter (tweets are read to you by a computerised voice) and Stitcher (a build-your-own talk radio service). Apps - and the system in general - are controllable via the steering wheel-mounted buttons or by voice activation, and Ford says there will be more apps to come.

No specific details have been announced on how the car will enable Internet access, but it's likely that it will use a 3G (or better) connection and provide WiFi access to the car's occupants so they can use iPhones and other WiFi devices as well as the car's touchscreen. It's also highly likely that the system will allow you to connect to WiFi hotspots for faster access where possible.

Author: Jim Martin