Our long-term 2008 Ford Focus isn't the most loved car in the long-term fleet, but I've spent the last several days driving it (despite several other options) for a simple reason: SYNC.

It's no secret that the "new" Ford Focus is basically the latest version of an aging chassis long past its sell-by date.  Many have flatly stated that SYNC is the only thing the Focus has going for it in the ultra competitve economy-car segment. After playing with the system for several days and watching it talk to my iPhone I've decided...they may be right. Not because the 2008 Ford Focus is really that bad, but because SYNC is simply that cool.

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Not that this technology is exactly new or cutting edge, but I do appreciate a good FM modulator. I purchased a Kensington digital FM transmitter at the local Apple store shortly after getting my iPhone last December, and it's proven to be a lifesaver.

As you can see in the photo, I was able to "iPod my BMW" despite it being our 2002 M3 long-term car (with no iPod interface or auxiliary input). It's true that FM modulators aren't the best way to go from a sound quality perspective. First, assuming you can actually find an FM frequency that isn't being used (good luck in L.A.) there's typically a an occasional crackle of static and the volume level often must be turned up to equate to other audio sources like CD or satellite radio.

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I never really understood the hype surrounding the iPhone. Its claim to fame, as far as I could tell, was being a cell phone that could play music and video. I've had a Treo 650 for a few years, and with some simple Google searching and a couple downloads costing less than $30 my Treo can make the same claims.

I've watched most of the new Battlestar Galactica series during air travel on my Treo's 320x320 screen, and I've listened to many hours of MP3s as well. Plus the 650 fully syncs with my Outlook's email and calendar, giving me instant and coordinated feedback between it and my desktop. So why did I just buy two iPhones?

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Sorry if you've already seen this, but it's definitely worth a look.

The concept of pairing an automotive company with an audio company is not new. Our 1999 long-term BMW 328i had a "Harman/Kardon" audio system (though it still played cassettes back then, and honestly didn't sound that great...). In 2002 Lexus decided to plug Mark Levinson components into its new SC 430, and today Mitsubishi offers a pumpin Rockford-Fosgate system in its entry-level Lancer.

But has anyone noticed the recent trend in non-audio agreements between major automakers. I guess the first on was BMW, when it offered to "iPod your BMW" back in 2005. More recently BMW and Audi have offered to iPhone their cars, while Ford is Sync'ing with Microsoft and Mercedes-Benz is Searching and Sending people via Google and Yahoo. BMW is also offering "ConnectedDrive" in Germany, which is basically a Google local search function. The all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS has a similar feature that works right here in the good old U.S. of A.

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We just saw an in-person demo of Ford's upcoming Microsoft-powered Sync system. While much of the system essentially comes down to hands-free phone and music-player operation, there are some key features that make it truly unique in a world where hands-free operation is increasingly common. For example, if you connect an MP3 player to the system you can tell it to play songs by artist, title or genre. Vocal commans like "Play Genre Jazz" or "Play Artist U2" or "Play Track Hysteria" will get you exactly what you ask for. The system will also transfer your cell phone's contact list and allow you to make calls by vocal command like "Call Bob Lutz" (you do have his number in your cell phone, right?). You can also play music wirelessly from a Bluetooth audio device and receive text message that are read to you (no need to try to read them while driving).

Again, none of these features is earth shattering, but having them all integrated into a vehicle's radio controls, along with the ability to use vocal commands for nearly any action, is pretty convenient. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is the future-proof design that makes firmware upgrades as easy as visiting the Sync web page, downloading the upgrade on any USB portable memory device, and plugging said device into the Sync's USB port. Apparently Ford has identified hundreds of additional capabilities for Sync, and they are planning on rolling out regular feature upgrades.

The first models to feature Sync will be the 2008 Focus, Edge and Lincoln MKX when they go on sale this fall.

If you are of the mind that modern cars are getting too high-tech then stay away from the Mercedes-Benz CL550. I could focus this entire blog post on the car's seat controls and still not cover the topic. You want adjustments? The CL gives you adjustments. Beyond the expected controls you can also tweak the seat-bottom bolstering, seat-back bolstering, shoulder support, lumbar support (height and angle), and seat-bottom-to-seat-back position. And after you're done you can set the seat to massage, with seven different massage modes. Don't forget that these seats also "actively bolster" you when you go around corners. You can turn this feature off, as I promptly did (I simply didn't know the CL well enough to allow such behavior).

Like I said, I could focus on the seat controls alone and still have a complete blog post. But there's more to the CL than its "fast and vigorous" front seats.

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A recent story in The Wall Street Journal talks about a complex challenge faced by many luxury car companies. The issue: overly complex cars and controls. That old saw about the average car possessing more technology than we used to land on the moon is quite accurate, but does that mean we have to feel like space travelers trapped in a high-tech capsule every time we get behind the wheel? There's no doubt that control systems such as iDrive and COMAND have contributed to the falling owner satisfaction scores of certain luxury brands. As The Wall Street Journal story notes, many Mercedes-Benz owners have complained about the automatic tilt-down exterior mirrors when they put their cars in reverse. These owners see it as a malfunction, not a convenience. I happen to agree with their opinion in this case, BTW, because my parking situations usually involves poles versus curbs, and the tilt-down mirror angle doesn't help me at all.

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   On a day when most of California's politicians are debating how much money should be spent addressing L.A.'s traffic problems an interesting article in the Financial Times suggests a promising (yet troubling) solution. If you saw the 2004 movie I Robot you've already seen this solution in action. It involves a complex technology system called Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) which, essentially, allows vehicles to drive themselves. We've seen elements of this system in everything from OnStar (GPS tracking) to Mercedes-Benz (adaptive cruise control) to Infiniti (lane departure warning). But the idea here is to standardize a wireless communication system that every car company utilizes. With such a system in place every vehicle could "see" every other vehicle, plus intersections, traffic signs and even the specific curve of the road. With the system fully in place you could just get in your car, select your destination, and go to sleep behind the wheel (insert your own joke about people already doing this here).

A fellow Edmunds-ite just bought a new GM product, so of course OnStar is one of its standard features. After purchase he signed up for the free OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics service, and shortly after this he received an email that told him everything from the his tire pressure to the predicted date of his next service appointment -- all without going anywhere near a dealership. It's really not that big of a technical leap because most modern cars have a "black box" system to track almost every vehicle system and component. And hooking that black box into the OnStar satellite communication system isn't all that difficult. But there's something amazing (and possibly disturbing...) about having GM know when your car's oil needs to be changed or how high the speedometer has gone.

It brings up that old question of privacy versus security. With this OnStar system you'll never have to worry about checking you oil or wondering what that "Check Engine" light means, but you'll also never go anywhere in your car (or drive it in a given way) without somebody knowing every detail. Car companies have long stated that warranty claims are null and void if you "use the vehicle in an illegal or inappropriate way," but they had a hard time proving it. Not anymore.

However, if you aren't a privacy freak like me this is an extremely cool feature. The fact that you can hit your OnStar button and 60 seconds later know if your oil is low or your brake pads need replaced is rather extraordinary -- even in 2007. I'd expect this level of diagnostic convenience (and privacy invasion) to be de rigeuer in a few years, but GM is definitely way out in front on this one.