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COLOGNE, Germany – Cassette tapes that once revolutionised in-car audio entertainment were driven from dashboards by the compact disc revolution. Now in-car CD players could be on a similar path as Ford and other automakers respond to customer demand for digital systems with better connectivity.
With the all-new Ford Focus, Ford has scrapped the once-popular multi-disc CD changer in favour of a USB port to equipping most models with Bluetooth connectivity. USB and Bluetooth cater for the increased popularity of iPods and other digital music players.
Since the new model went on sale in Europe earlier in 2011, 95% of Focus customers have opted for a model with both a USB port and an auxiliary jack for an MP3 player to allow independent device integration.
DEMISE OF CDs
According to figures from the British Phonographic Industry, the number of CD albums sold in the UK fell by 35% between 2006 and 2010, while the number of digital album sales increased more than seven-fold.
As music-lovers relocate their CD catalogues to digital storage and move to purchasing music online, Ford plans to move towards “all-digital” in-car entertainment with the introduction of its SYNC with MyFord Touch system in Europe, available with the new Ford Focus.
The system will cater directly to the demands of tech-savvy customers, offering a sophisticated multimedia infotainment hub providing connectivity options including multiple USB inputs, SD card ports, RCA inputs and Bluetooth connectivity.
In addition the system will act as a password-protected wireless hotspot for up to five devices, providing connectivity through USB or mobile phone broadband modems. This capability will potentially allow access to “cloud computing” services such as the recently unveiled Apple iCloud, Amazon Cloud Drive and Google Music. This will eliminate the need to carry music storage devices in the vehicle.
Ford expects two million SYNC equipped vehicles to be on the road in Europe by 2015.
DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING
Ford currently has 150 000 digital audio broadcasting (DAB) equipped vehicles across Europe. During July 2011 coverage will expand as the number of countries using DAB to supplement or replace their traditional analogue broadcasting infrastructure grows.
DAB radio offers superior sound quality and better functionality while allowing more-efficient use of available radio frequencies, meaning DAB-exclusive stations and more choice for listeners.
With the all-new Ford Focus, Ford has scrapped the once-popular multi-disc CD changer in favour of a USB port to equipping most models with Bluetooth connectivity. USB and Bluetooth cater for the increased popularity of iPods and other digital music players.
Since the new model went on sale in Europe earlier in 2011, 95% of Focus customers have opted for a model with both a USB port and an auxiliary jack for an MP3 player to allow independent device integration.
DEMISE OF CDs
According to figures from the British Phonographic Industry, the number of CD albums sold in the UK fell by 35% between 2006 and 2010, while the number of digital album sales increased more than seven-fold.
As music-lovers relocate their CD catalogues to digital storage and move to purchasing music online, Ford plans to move towards “all-digital” in-car entertainment with the introduction of its SYNC with MyFord Touch system in Europe, available with the new Ford Focus.
The system will cater directly to the demands of tech-savvy customers, offering a sophisticated multimedia infotainment hub providing connectivity options including multiple USB inputs, SD card ports, RCA inputs and Bluetooth connectivity.
In addition the system will act as a password-protected wireless hotspot for up to five devices, providing connectivity through USB or mobile phone broadband modems. This capability will potentially allow access to “cloud computing” services such as the recently unveiled Apple iCloud, Amazon Cloud Drive and Google Music. This will eliminate the need to carry music storage devices in the vehicle.
Ford expects two million SYNC equipped vehicles to be on the road in Europe by 2015.
DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING
Ford currently has 150 000 digital audio broadcasting (DAB) equipped vehicles across Europe. During July 2011 coverage will expand as the number of countries using DAB to supplement or replace their traditional analogue broadcasting infrastructure grows.
DAB radio offers superior sound quality and better functionality while allowing more-efficient use of available radio frequencies, meaning DAB-exclusive stations and more choice for listeners.
