Ford Sync Gets Navigation Features In 2010 Ford Models

Ford has announced at CES 2009 that it will be upgrading its Ford Sync system, the popular voice-command system developed in tandem with Microsoft.  New features will include voice-activated links to mobile phones and digital music players, traffic alerts, directions and news.  The features will be free for the first three years of use and available later in 2009 with some of the newer 2010 models.

Ford says that Sync-equipped vehicles sell twice as fast as other Ford models and expects to have it available for its entire North American line-up by this summer.  Microsoft has also teamed up with Hyundai to release a similar system and Toyota is working on its own proprietary communications and navigation system that will debut this year in North American with Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

Nokia Knows What To Do In A Recession: Focus On Profits

What does a smart company do during a recession?  Focus on profits, according to Nokia chief executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo.  Sounds simple enough, but it’s not really.  Nokia, in preparation for what analysts foresee as an average 6.6 percent decrease in 2009 cellphone sales volumes, purchased a dozen companies in 2008 including its $8.1 billion NAVTEQ acquisition.  All of Nokia’s buys have been part of a focused attempt by the company to grab a piece of the internet market in order to pad its profit margins.

I would have to agree that Nokia has done a great job in positioning itself well heading into 2009.  It’s online Ovi service is fully functional and doing well and with a major presence in many of the worlds emerging mobile markets, Nokia actually aims to expand its cellphone market share globally in the new year.  Now if only it’d hop on the Android bandwagon I’d be perfectly happy.