How’s this for a scary thought? Several of Ford’s 2009 model vehicles will be running Sync, a communications and entertainment software platform based largely upon Microsoft Windows CE technology. Yep, the two companies have indeed joined forces to bring the world of computer crashes and endless security holes onto the world’s highways.
At least a couple of times a week my HP computer running Windows XP ”freezes up” and I have to do a hard reboot (AKA disconnect the power cord), losing any unsaved data in the process, and the problem is even worse on Cheria’s whiz-bang Gateway running Windows Vista (is that long-overdue ”Service Pack” ready yet guys?). It sends chills up my spine knowing that such an unstable technology is now going to be in use on millions of vehicles around the world!
Even though the the Ford/Microsoft Sync technology will initially be used only for non-critical functions such as making phone calls and listening to music, does anyone really believe that it won’t eventually make it into the cars’ more important functions. “Oops, I know you meant to turn right but the wheels turned left instead – must be a bug in the software. No problem, just try to get back in your own lane and then pull over and “reboot”. You might want to drop by the dealership and have the latest critical updates installed!”
Maybe I’m just being a little paranoid here, but the guys from Redmond haven’t exactly done a whole lot to instill confidence in their products over the years - and things don’t seem to be getting any better. Ford had better wade into these new waters carefully or foreign competition, high wages, and a weak dollar will be the least of their problems.
Will wonders never cease?
One can hope…