Long time reader, first time (attempting) commentor.

Why is it that Giz always puts a negative connotative spin to Microsoft related things or presses.

I can bet you an iPhone (omg, iz the Jesus-Phone silly, banhammer for calling it teh iPhone) if Apple had released this tech, Mr. Sparkes would have signed off saying how ingenius and Apple-like the technology is to combine features into an intuitive system for all consumers to enjoy.

Oh, and commence the BSOD jokes.

This is pretty slick, wouldn't mind having this in my car, but I don't drive a Ford.

Say "Ford and Microsoft" 3 times fast - does that scream "leading edge high tech to you?

@XtremeCamera: Maybe you'll get lucky and Apple will team up with lets say, Audi and you can buy a prettier system that only works with Apple's istuff (you know that would be the case). I'm not a big M$ fan, but it seems like they've tried to make a system that can be used with equipment from a lot of different manufacturers.

Apple needs to bluetooth-ify our iPods and then this kind of thing looks pretty rockable.

Gotta agree with XtremeCamera on this. Not Ford and Not MS.

I drive a Volvo S80 actually, and its 4 years old, so the only option for me is the lighter/data thingie. I'm not a Microsoft basher, actually, I own an xbox 360 and I'm sure a couple of other MS things... And I was floored by the MS Surface computer. even though they didn't actually invent it...but honestly, MS doesn't do a whole lot of innovating. Then again, Apple doesn't invent much stuff either, they just make them better and easier to use, as well as purty UI's. But yea, I'm a fanboi I guess.

I think we all know that in the next 5 years this technology will be in dozens of cars, and that's a good thing.

Hey Ford: Better gas mileage please.

The last thing I want to deal with is software updates for my car.

Great. Another bloody distraction to put in your car. Why can't you just plug the PMV into an auxiliary jack?

And before everyone starts saying that this'll be in all sorts of cars in the next few years, let me point out that many people said the aforementioned auxiliary jacks would be in almost every car by now. I had to take off parts of my dashboard to get at the inputs for my radio. Granted, the car in question is a 1988 Saab. However, I had to do the same thing for a brand-new Toyota. Before we start putting buggy software full of holes (imagine if someone hacks that and makes sure the only thing you can listen to is James Blunt), perhaps time-tested and proven technology should be put in first.

@lws1984: How do you think we get time proven technology? You have install it and use it at somt point! Also, Ford needs to improve/innovate in many areas. If they focused (ha - Focus, get it) on just MPG, they may not have the opportunity to sell that car, since most people look for a balanced package - nice interior, interesting features, MPG, etc.

Apparently Ford couldn't justify getting the Action Movie Guy to provide a voice over for the entire commercial, just the beginning and end?

I'd prefer better gas mileage over this too, but I can definitely see it being handy, and hopefully safer if it keeps people from fiddling with their phones while they're driving.

Also - I wonder if all the text messages will be read in a woman's voice; it'd be odd to have a buddy's message read to me in a female tone.

The fact that they bill this as being cutting edge is ludicrous. This kind of stuff has been available on higher end cars for quite a while now. The only innovative feature here is the voice activated music, and even then, who wants to look like such a huge tool repeating shit to their car.

And what's with the movie announcer!?

Didn't they demo this at a car show recently?

I know I want it for my next car, since I have a disability which prevents me from operating controls mounted on the center console.