2010 CES: MyFord Touch adds on-board navigation to Sync

Ford and navigation services provider TeleNav have announced the latest enhancements to Ford's Sync telematics system, called MyFord Touch.

MyFord touch adds an optional on-board TeleNav GPS navigation and an eight-inch touch screen to compliment the spoken turn-by-turn directions Sync already offers at no extra cost. Up to this point, Sync users got directions by asking for them through a hands-free telephone call, using their own Bluetooth-enabled phone paired with Sync. Directions were then downloaded to the car, and drivers listened to turn-by-turn directions through the car's audio speakers. 

Rather than replacing this system, MyFord Touch is compatible with it. The advantage of combining the two is that MyFord Touch enables drivers to see their position on a map and provides directions even when no telephone signal is available. Meanwhile, Sync still offers constantly updated point of interest information for restaurants, nearby gas stations, and the like, along with live traffic updates.

Ford and TeleNav say the MyFord Touch upgrade to Sync makes for a simpler and smarter interface, and that because MyFord Touch maps will be loaded on an SD card rather than being permanently installed, updates will be easier and more affordable.

MyFord Touch will be available on some Ford models beginning in 2010. Pricing has not been announced.

—Jim Travers

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