Monday, January 4

Ford Sync is Like an Apple iCar



Aside from announcing that in-car WiFi will be available next year, the iconic blue oval is today calling itself the first car manufacturer to offer factory-installed HD Radio with iTunes tagging capabilities. Slated to become available on select 2011 Ford models sometime next year, the implementation will enable listeners of HD Radio to "tag" songs they like via a single button press; from there, the song information will be logged within the radio's memory, and up to 100 tags on Sync can be stored until an iPod is connected to suck them down. Once that data hits the iPod, users can then preview or purchase them conveniently through iTunes. If Apple were to make a car, of course it have this feature.

Ford has also explained more in their detailed press release:

FORD FIRST TO ENABLE iTUNES SONG TAGGING WITH LAUNCH OF NEW HD RADIO CAPABILITY IN ITS LINEUP

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 29, 2009 – iTunes Tagging and crystal-clear radio sound through HD
Radio technology are the latest features on Ford's growing list of factory-installed customer
conveniences and technologies that will be newly available in 2010.

HD Radio receivers pull in digital radio signals and play them with dramatically improved
sound. FM stations, for example, have near-CD quality, making it convenient for customers to
select songs they want to download and purchase.

"iTunes Tagging and HD Radio technology are strong new additions to the growing collection of
Ford convenience features and technology we're offering customers to make driving even more
enjoyable," said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. "This is another example of Ford's
commitment to bring the widest variety of factory-installed customer-focused technology,
features and conveniences to millions of people."

• Ford is the first auto manufacturer to offer HD Radio™ technology with iTunes® Tagging
capability; this new functionality will be available next year
• HD Radio technology captures free digital radio broadcasts, which eliminate static, fadeout
and other problems associated with conventional analog radio signals; the result is FM audio
that's comparable to near-CD quality and AM audio that sounds like today's FM broadcasts
• HD Radio digital technology provides a number of advanced services not available with an
analog radio. Extra FM channels, called HD2/HD3 channels, are delivered, as well as useful
on-screen Program Service Data such as artist name and song title

In 2010, Ford vehicles will offer familiar terrestrial radio, HD Radio technology, SIRIUS®
Satellite Radio as well as Internet radio through Ford SYNC® from a Bluetooth®-streaming
audio-capable smartphone.

"Ford continues to lead the market in bringing advanced capabilities to popular vehicles. We are
very pleased that HD Radio technology is an integral part of Ford's broad offering of new
features," said Jeff Jury, COO of iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of HD Radio
technology.

Like the song? You can tag it
The world's first implementation of iTunes Tagging in a factory-installed HD Radio receiver will
launch in 2010 on select Ford vehicles. Through the SYNC system, iTunes Tagging will provide
Ford customers with the ability to capture a song they hear on the HD Radio receiver for later
purchase. With a simple push of the "TAG" button on the radio display, the song information
will be stored in the radio's memory.

Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is connected. When the iPod is then synced
to iTunes, a playlist of "tagged" songs will appear. Customers then can preview and, if desired,
purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store.
All HD Radio-enabled receivers in Ford vehicles also will provide Program Service Data –
information that appears on the radio screen and includes song title, artist name and more.
Familiar controls with better quality

HD Radio technology enables more listening options and increased sound quality by using the
same radio interface customers are used to as well as the same antennas and analog tuners with
an added digital decoder inside the radio. Additionally, HD Radio-enabled receivers provide
listeners with unique advanced services.

To operate, there's no difference from today's radio operations – customers just tune in your
favorite station. If the station is broadcasting with HD Radio technology, the system
automatically picks up the signal and will transition to digital audio once decoded.
Exclusive to HD Radio receivers are HD2/HD3 channels, which resemble mini-stations that
could be spun off the "mother" station or completely new content for the local market.
HD2/HD3 channels are found directly adjacent to the main (HD1) channel on the dial if
available.

If additional HD2/HD3 channels are available, the radio will indicate how many on a multicast
information bar. Users may tune up to the new available channels like they would tune to any
other analog station. Users also may store HD2/HD3 presets, just as they do with today's radio.
HD Radio technology enables better audio and exclusive unique content choices
One significant benefit of HD Radio technology is that the sound quality of the broadcast is
dramatically better because of the digital transmission – FM sounds like a CD and AM sounds
like today's FM broadcasts. Also, the sound itself is much clearer and more consistent, without
issues such as pops or hisses. Unlike analog broadcasts, digital broadcasts aren't susceptible to
interference, fadeout and other issues.

Most stations use the additional HD2/HD3 channels to provide more unique coverage of sports,
music or other niche programs often tailored for their individual markets – all for free. For
example, in Dallas there is now a dedicated 24/7 Cowboys channel on 105.3-HD3. In Pittsburgh,
there is a dedicated 24/7 Penguins channel on 105.9-HD2. Broadcasters may choose any genre
they wish for their additional channels.

Nearly 2,000 radio stations in the U.S. currently broadcast in digital HD Radio sound, with
nearly 1,000 stations also airing HD2/HD3 channels. Approximately 85 percent of the U.S.
population is served by a station broadcasting with HD Radio technology. and http://www.ibiquity.com.

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