Even though I leased the lowest trim level of the 2009 Ford Escape, it came equipped standard with Microsoft Sync. I gotta hand it to Microsoft; they really delivered on this one. While Sync certainly has flaws, glitches, and some especially peculiar annoyances, the computer-based voice activated audio management system does provide an experience unlike all others.
Sync's I/O interfaces include: USB (thumb drives, iPods, or theoretically anything else with audio files), Line In (for connecting any audio source with a 3.5mm headphone jack), and Bluetooth. The surprisingly long-range bluetooth connection allows for up to 10 phones to be paired. The paring between Sync and my Blackberry Curve 8330 performs beautifully in both modes. Phone mode kicks in when I receive a call or place one. The Blackberry also functions as an audio source streaming via bluetooth to Sync. Although the signal comes in at a slightly lower volume than the other sources, there is ample amperage to achieve a comfortable (or loud) listening volume.
TECHGRIPE: [After I walk away from the car far enough to lose the bluetooth pairing with my Blackberry, when I come back to the car, it won't reconnect until you turn the car off and back on again.]
The USB works well but beware...if you want to use the Line In headphone jack input, Sync will litterly say out loud, "Line In is unavailable when a device is connected to USB." So once you unplug your USB drive, you have to (once againe) use the menu and navigate to the Line In source. Once you're listening to Line In, you can go ahead and plug your USB drive back in, don't worry, it won't interrupt your music. TECHGRIPE: [C'mon Microsoft!]
Overall Microsoft Sync impresses as a top-of-the-line car audio management system. However, there are still many firmware upgrades and feature tweaks needed for this product to reach its full potential.
