1
NEWS
No more Windows in Fords?
Ford reportedly set to dump Windows as telematic platformIt seems that Ford’s in-car infotainment platform Sync is a bit on the nose.
The system provides a touch screen or voice activated interface that operates navigation, entertainment, emergency and driver aid apps. In the background is a Windows-based platform from which it is relatively easy for developers to create third-party apps.
According to a recent US-based report, however, there has been noticeable dissatisfaction with the system from consumers. The disquiet chiefly concerns the Ford system’s ability to stream entertainment.
Now it seems likely Ford will move the next generation of the Sync software from the current Microsoft Windows based operating system to BlackBerry Ltd’s QNX platform. This is seen as a move that should improve stability, flexibility, speed and cost factors, all of which are seen as limitations of the current system.
It would be a bold move to uproot the investment made in Windows based applications and move to an OS owned by a company that is in troubled times. The mainstay of BlackBerry (formally known as Research In Motion (RIM)) has been its executive smartphone that has been quickly surpassed by slicker models from Apple and Samsung among others. The company has had to downsize drastically over recent years. Its most recent phone launch (the Z10), while receiving critical praise, has failed to ignite a sales led recovery.
To complicate matters further, late last year there were strong rumours that Microsoft might purchase BlackBerry to help boost its own flagging fortunes in the smartphone area.
If this were to happen, SYNC – while perhaps running on a superior OS – would end up back under the Microsoft banner.
Register to comment on this article.
Share this article
Written byMike Bantick
See all articlesOur team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayRelated articles
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Scan to download the carsales app
Want more info? Here’s our app landing page
App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo
are trademarks of Google LLC.