Cars enter the data stream
GM may have pioneered vehicle telematics with OnStar, but Lexus and Ford are taking it to new levels, showing the value of data transmissions in cars. Ford expanded its Sync feature to use Bluetooth-paired cell phones as data ports to the outside world, launching a new app this week called Traffic, Directions, and Information. With this feature, you can get route guidance to a destination even if your car doesn't have an onboard navigation system. The new Ford app will also warn about traffic on your route.
Lexus showed us its new Enform system, which adds external data to its navigation system. In some ways, Lexus is playing catch-up with Ford, which already offers weather, traffic, sports scores, and fuel prices through Sirius Travel Link. The Lexus system uses XM to bring in traffic, weather, and sports scores to the driver. But Enform adds a podcast download system. Currently, you can only get a Lexus lifestyle podcast, but that system opens the door to get a wide variety of podcasts downloaded to your car. Wouldn't it be cool to have This American Life ready for your daily commute?
Check out our First Look at Lexus' Enform suite.
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