Wait, what?
So here’s the deal. From 1999 to 2003, I used to install desktop computers in cars as a hobby. In case you don’t remember, GPS systems back in 99 cost about $4,000. I was able to install a system that did GPS, DVD, wireless internet (at blazing 14.4k speed!), and this new fangled audio format called “MP3” for about $1500. If you just wanted audio, it was about $500. Fun times, fun times.
The then-small enthusiast community at MP3Car.com (now a commercial site that happens to have a forum) would often fantasize about one of the industry players getting involved and removing us from the equation. Really, it’s a serious PITA to make your own dashboard to fit a 7″LCD touchscreen and even if you did get everything to work, it was still buggy as hell and took a LOT of time to get right.
When Ford and MicroSoft came out with Sync a couple of years ago, I remember thinking “Hey, they’re finally starting to catch up!” Last year, the pair introduced the latest version, Sync with MyFord Touch. Essentially Sync was voice-activated controls, and MyFord Touch adds a touchscreen and integration with smartphones.
COOL!
Except…
It seems Ford has some of the same problems I did as an enthusiast. It’s buggy, it crashes, doesn’t recognize commands, and in general is providing a poor user experience. So they are sending out upgrades via usb thumb drive.
You know what that means, right? If it’s possible to use the USB ports on the car to reprogram the system, it’s probably possible to run custom firmware as well. That’s hot.
Now, obviously I’m not going to go out and buy a new car just so I can get this technology. That’s not my style. I am interested in the protocols they use to do the upgrade.
So, if one of my dear readers could send me this thumbdrive after they’re done with it, I’d be mighty grateful.
But can they play Doom?
I give it six months before some bored computer science major at MIT does this to his new Fiesta.