Why can't Ford leverage their position and partner with a substantially better company such as Apple or ??

I understand that Ford is selling trucks and not technology but I'm sure Ford could design to fit an iPad mini in the dash and it would outperform anything Sync could dream up. Not to mention an iPad mini retails for about $500 compared to Sync 3 $2,000 upgrade.

 

Sync 3 is not Microsoft.

 

Sync 3 isn't Microsoft, dude.

 

Also, on top of it not being MS, an ipad in dashboard might work fine for DYI'ers but it's not rugged enough to be in a car, especially when Ford would have to warranty it. Apple lists operating temps at 32° – 95° F and specifically says not to leave it in a car.

Ford has to design a system that can handle extreme temps and hopefully work without issues for several years, $500 tablets are throw away devices compared to oem vehicle electronics.

 

They'd be better off going with Google. Apple is not a "substantially better" company just because they make user interfaces that are pretty and hardware bodies that are neutral colors.

 

Alright, I edited the title since it is not Microsoft.

Sync is still crap though. Even if the iPad only worked during temps from 32-95 it would still be 100X better than Sync.

 

I love how everyone is an expert on this stuff. No one understands the engineering problems you are faced with in putting this technology in a car. Everyone thinks it is easy.

 

I'd have to disagree with you. Why would you want an operating system that wouldn't work half the time?

 

I'd swear there must be something in the apple operating system that brainwashes users.

 

pretty colorz and buttonz