Ford’s SYNC AppLink Brings Android and BlackBerry Apps to Your Car

Today Ford is releasing SYNC AppLink, a downloadable software upgrade for Ford SYNC systems that will allow hands-free voice control of popular applications for the BlackBerry and Android smartphones. The first car to get SYNC AppLink support will be the 2011 Fiesta, available later this summer.

Back in January, Ford announced the next evolution of the Ford SYNC system, MyFord Touch. When MyFord Touch was announced, Ford also said it would support third-party mobile applications for a seamless connected experience. This is exactly what the SYNC AppLink does.

Pandora (Pandora), Stitcher and OpenBeak are the first SYNC-enabled mobile apps that will be available. Using AppLink, BlackBerry and Android (Android) users can access and control their applications using their voice and in-dash car controls, rather than having to connect a phone to an line-in jack and fumbling with the phone while keeping an eye on the road.

Furthermore, Ford is launching a new Mobile Application Developer Network so that Android and BlackBerry developers can build in SYNC support for their applications. The possibilities for this sort of integration are tremendous. Just imagine the potential of leveraging a geolocation app with an in-dash navigation system!

Check out this video that shows Ford SYNC AppLink in action with Pandora and Stitcher:While there are adapters that you can purchase to better integrate the Pandora and smartphone experience for third-party head units, this is one of the most seamless examples of app-to-phone integration that we’ve seen on the factory level.

Check out an extended demonstration of Pandora using SYNC AppLink:This technology will debut with the Ford Fiesta 2011 this summer in the U.S. AppLink will roll out to other models in the SYNC ecosystem next year. By fusing the connected car and the mobile phone, Ford is bringing a whole new level of synergy to the SYNC system.

What do you think of SYNC AppLink? Let us know!

How to get turn by turn directions with Ford SYNC

If you have just purchased a new Ford Taurus, you may have noticed the new SYNC feature. SYNC is a GPS built right into your dashboard. If this is your first time using a global positioning system, you may need a few pointers. Check out this video and learn how to access step by step directions and get where you need to go.

You Will Need

* 2010 Ford Taurus with SYNC

Step 1: Get directions

Rely on SYNC for detailed directions. Simply say “Services” to dial into the voice-activated network, and then “Directions.” Then, just speak your destination. The system provides spoken, turn-by-turn directions over the audio system. It can also access a location you’ve already programmed.

Step 2: Find a place without an address
If you’re heading to a business but don’t know its exact address, just say the name, and SYNC will point you in the right direction. You can even search for a type of business near your current location, and SYNC will offer the closest options.

Step 3: Get the lay of the land

Bypass traffic, avoid road closures, and get the lowdown on detours with personalized updates. Just say “Services” and then “Traffic,” and you’ll receive a real-time report broadcast over your vehicle’s audio system. You can also set personalization features to text you traffic alerts for destinations that you program in beforehand. Knowing about potential hazards beforehand can save you time and aggravation.

Step 4: Stay connected

Stay connected with personalized weather conditions and forecasts, news updates, and sports reports — all using easy voice commands. You never know what might affect your route.

Step 5: Stay safe in an accident

Stay safe. In the event of an accident, SYNC automatically contacts 911 when the airbag is deployed so the vehicle’s occupants can communicate with the emergency operator.

Step 6: Drive with confidence

Wherever you’re headed, set out secure in the knowledge Ford can help you get there — quickly and safel

Ford F-150, Edge, Explorer To Get EcoBoost Engines

Ford said Monday it will add its popular turbocharging system — EcoBoost — to three more engines by the end of 2010, with the F-150 also getting the blower for its V6.
Ford also said that by 2013, it expects to be producing approximately 1.5 million EcoBoost engines globally, about 200,000 more than originally expected.
Plans call for an EcoBoost engine to be available in 80 per cent of the company’s global nameplates and 90 per cent of North American nameplates. About half of the 1.5 million EcoBoost engines are expected to be sold in North America, while the rest are to be sold in Europe, South America and Asia Pacific regions.
The next three EcoBoost engines include:
1.6-litre four-cylinder that will be offered in the European C-Max people mover.
2.0-litre four-cylinder for the next-generation Ford Explorer SUV and Edge CUV.
3.5-litre V-6 for the F-150. Ford engineers have upgraded the 3.5-litre V-6 for rear-wheel-drive applications. The EcoBoost F-150 is expected to deliver best-in-class fuel economy along with the power and towing capability of a V-8.
“We are trying to get in front of the pack in leveraging EcoBoost for fuel economy,” said Dan Kapp, Ford’s director of powertrain research and advanced engineering. “It’s going to be a trend in the industry, and we can’t rest on our laurels for one minute. We are going to keep wringing more efficiency out of EcoBoost.”
The three new engines will increase the number of global nameplates available with EcoBoost to 11. EcoBoost is available now in the Ford Flex and Taurus and Lincoln MKS and MKT.
EcoBoost technology combines direct fuel injection, variable cam timing and turbocharging to reduce fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and cut vehicle weight, while giving drivers the performance of a bigger engine.

COMMUNITY: Planet Ford 59 Hosts a 'DRIVE ONE 4 UR SCHOOL' Program and Helps Raise $6,000 for Humble High School.

Ford's "Drive One 4 UR School" program offers individuals an opportunity to test-drive a new Ford vehicle and help raise money for their local high school.
Recently Planet Ford 59 hosted a ‘Drive One 4 UR School’ program at their local Humble High School. 300 participants got to test-drive a Ford Flex, Focus or other new Ford vehicle and helped raise much-needed funding for the high school. For each test-drive taken at the one-day event, Ford and Planet Ford 59 donated $20 to fund special projects and activities at the school.
The Planet Ford 59 and Humble High School ‘Drive One 4 UR School’ event had 300 test drives and raised $6,000 for the school. Great job and thank you to all the participants!
Join Us for Our Next 'DRIVE ONE 4 UR SCHOOL’
Planet Ford 59 will be hosting another 'DRIVE ONE 4 UR SCHOOL’ this April 24, 2010 at the Fine arts Festival located at the Kingwood College
For registration or more information, email Kristi Williams at kwilliams@planetford59.com

COMMUNITY: The Students of Foster Elementary Will Have a Playground!

It was a tragic event on July 4th, 2009 when vandals set fire to the playground equipment at Foster Elementary in Kingwood, Texas.
Unfortunately, HISD was not able to replace the playground equipment. Therefore, the task to raise money thru fundraisers and donations moved to the capable hands of the Foster PTA along with assistance from Foster Elementary School. Initial quotes from HISD were around $80,000 to replace the equipment. Thru the process of getting different bids from many playground companies, the current projection to put a new playground is between $40,000 and $45,000.
All Hands on Deck
Little hands were on deck to raise money for the new playground. The kids joined together to sell lemonade, wash cars and bring in pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters get the school closer to their goal. The school also received generous donations from friends, families and neighbors with each contribution getting them closer to the goal.
Local businesses like the Conservatory and D&D Collision stepped up to help the cause.
Then with one generous stroke, Planet Ford 59 in Humble donated the remaining $25,000. The neighborhood Ford dealership’s contribution will allow Foster Elementary school to replace the playground for the kids.
Chuck Kramer, General Manager and Managing Partner at Planet Ford 59 says “It’s all about the kids!”
There are currently no suspects in this crime. Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and charging of a suspect. If you have any information about the fire, please contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS.

COMMUNITY: PLANET FORD 59 SPONSORS D.A.R.E. FOR THEIR HOMETOWN HUMBLE KIDS

This year millions of school children around the world will benefit from D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), the highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence.
D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now being implemented in 75 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world. Humble ISD is proud to have a successful D.A.R.E. program that is 100% sponsored by Planet Ford 59.
The Humble D.A.R.E. program is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.

COMMUNITY: $15,000 for Their Education

Planet Ford 59 is a dedicated supporter of the Humble ISD Livestock show and auction.
In 2009 Planet Ford won the Grand Champion Steer auction along with a few other animals. $15,000 went to the best young exhibitors who got their payoff for their whole year of hard work. These Texas 4-H and FFA members put countless hours of labor in raising, feeding and grooming their animals and preparing them for their big moment in the arena.
Planet Ford donated the meat to the Humble Family Time non-profit organization that provides free counseling, services and support groups for victims of abuse.

Ford brings back "Swap Your Ride" with 0% financing, $1,000

Ford has some good news if you've been eying its products and happen to drive a vehicle from another manufacturer. The company's "Swap Your Ride" campaign is back in full swing, and will run wide open until the end of next month. All you have to do to qualify for zero-percent financing and a $1,000 trade-in bonus is simply hand over the keys to your old set of wheels.

Expect to see a new slew of ads featuring Mike Rowe on your television promoting the incentives soon. And come visit us here at Planet Ford 59 to Swap Your Ride!!

Ford teams up with Microsoft for electric vehicles

Ford, America’s largest domestic hybrid seller, and Microsoft have decided to come together to use Microsoft Hohm Energy Management Application in order to make charging of electric vehicles easier.

The software would help the user to know the best possible time to recharge battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Microsoft’s Sync-in-car technology helps the user to control mobile phones and MP3 players through voice recognition. Nearly two million vehicles of Ford use Sync, based on Microsoft’s Window Embedded Auto Platform. Ford and its upcoming vehicle Focus Electric will be the first one to use Microsoft’s Hohm.

Ford and Microsoft both share a strong commitment to contributing to a better world. Today, we begin the next major step in our working together and leading the way for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability,” said Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company president and CEO. “For Ford, this is a needed step in the development of the infrastructure that will make electric vehicles viable.”  Why Microsoft Hohm?

Microsoft Hohm is a free web service that helps to make smarter decisions about saving energy and money. It provides energy saving tips and helps cut costs.  “Ford and Microsoft both share a strong commitment to contributing to a better world. Today, we begin the next major step in our working together and leading the way for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.” -- Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company president and CEO

Hohm completely takes charge of home energy use. This software would help the users to determine the best time for charging their vehicles at home. Besides this, as electric cars would increase the home energy consumption, use of Hohm was considered as the most appropriate choice.

According to Accenture Survey, 42 percent of consumers have preferred to buy hybrid or electric vehicles in the next two years. After teaming up with Microsoft Hohm, Ford has decided to bring five new electric vehicles on road in North America and Europe by 2013. North America launches include Transit Connect Electric car later this year, Focus Electric car in 2011, plug in hybrid electric vehicle and two next generation hybrids in 2012.

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, said “Electric vehicles will play an important role in the global effort to improve energy efficiency and address the issues of climate change and sustainability. But as the market for electric vehicles expands, it will have a significant impact on home energy consumption and demand across the nation’s energy grid.

With Microsoft Hohm, Ford and Microsoft will deliver a solution that will make it easier for car owners to make smart decisions about the most affordable and efficient ways to recharge electric vehicles, while giving utilities better tools for managing the expected changes in energy demand. Working together, Ford and Microsoft will provide the systems solutions to help facilitate this exciting future.