Ford is working on a new user interface that will include the standard sync features in a considerably prettier package. In current generation sync systems, a lot of navigation is done with two-way buttons on the steering wheel, a few knobs and a modest LED display. MyFord Touch will up the ante considerably with five-way button navigation on the wheel, a full touch display, and the usual voice commands. This ties in a little bit with Ford’s announcement about developer APIs, in that mobile apps will be able to access the rich new UI, but will be limited to a set of templates rather than given free rein of the display. Aside from that, there are some great interfaces for recieving text messages, making/recieving calls, and managing media through the touch console. From a safety perspective, I’m a little concerned that this system is just subbing out fiddling with a handheld doodad to a built-in doodad which could be just as distracting, but Ford reassured me that they’re working closely with legislators to make sure everything they’re doing will abide by quickly spreading handsfree laws. The phone functions of MyFord Touch weren’t quite ready for demonstration, but these concept screenshots give us a good idea of what to expect.
