Ford is expanding its SYNC technology to give drivers safer alternatives for hand-held texting to keep their eyes focused on the road. Ford is improving the SYNC text message readback feature, giving drivers a “Do Not Disturb” button and “lock-out” capabilities that are not needed for driving. Ford will offer the new features on 2011 model year vehicles equipped with MyFord or MyLincoln Touch, the driver connect technology that provides drivers personalized access to information and entertainment through voice control, touch screens and five-way controls mounted on the steering wheel.
The new 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX will be first to offer the “Do Not Disturb” button which blocks incoming phone calls or text messages from a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone paired with SYNC by diverting calls into voicemail and saving text messages on the device for viewing later. But unlike turning the phone off, drivers can still make voice-activated outgoing phone calls.
