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Report: Microsoft to drive Ford car technology

Reuters

NEW YORK -- Ford Motor Co. plans to unveil a deal with Microsoft Corp. in January that will put the software company's technology into some of the automaker's cars, the Wall Street Journal reported today, citing people familiar with the matter.

The system, to be called Sync, includes a hands-free Bluetooth wireless system and an in-vehicle operating system that eventually will be an option for the entire Ford brand lineup, the newspaper said.

Sync is designed to allow hands-free mobile phone communication and other wireless information transfers in the car, including email and music downloads, the sources told the newspaper.

It will debut next year as an option on at least two Ford brand models, the Focus and Five Hundred sedans, a person familiar with the matter told the newspaper. The paper also said the system would be an option on the entire lineup, including trucks starting in the 2008 model year.

The company plans to announce Sync at the Detroit auto show and the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas during the week of Jan. 10, and Microsoft spokesman Chris Elliott told the newspaper that the company has been working with Ford on certain technologies and will have an announcement at the shows, but declined to discuss specifics.

Representatives for Ford and Microsoft were not immediately available for comment.

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Stacy94PGT
My first car was a 67 Mustang Coupe, 2nd one was a 67 Cougar XR-7, 3rd one was a 66 Mustang Coupe. Why did I get rid of these cars for ? I know why, because I'm stupid, stupid, stupid.

My next Ford.....