14 DAY TRIAL // Cars aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Google, but then again, just a few years ago, phones weren’t either. But as the web seeps through into more and more devices, cars get smarter. Ford already equips some of its cars with the rather interesting Ford Sync, a suite of dedicated tools and web services. Now the suite is getting integrated with Google Maps to allow drivers to get directions from the Google services through Sync. Ironically, Sync is actually built by Microsoft.
"Printing paper directions from a website is a relic in our digital age," Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization, said. "With Send to SYNC, you can map a destination at home, at work – wherever you have connectivity – and when you get to your car, it already knows where you want to go. It's convenient and it eliminates the waste and distraction of paper maps, conserving resources while helping drivers keep their eyes on the road."
That may sound a bit outdated to most readers of tech sites, but for the mainstream audience, it may very well be the case. Of course, the real target of the system is not real maps but GPS navigation devices. Google has been slowly encroaching on their territory and with each small step, it brings them closer to obsolescence.
In this case, the feature doesn’t completely replace a full-blown GPS navigation system, but it does have some advantages over it. Users will be able to look up directions on their mobile phones or desktops. When they’re satisfied with the destination, they can send the location to their cars, via bluetooth from their phones, or over the web from their desktops and laptops. The Sync cloud service will calculate the quickest route based on road and traffic conditions. The drivers will then have turn-by-turn, voice instructions to get to their destination.