PopSci's Best of What's New 2007

Automotive
Ford and Microsoft Sync

Cars and gadgets play nice

Making cellphones and music players work in your car can be maddening. Sync, developed by Ford and Microsoft, is the first factory-installed system that pairs with and then remembers nearly all gadgets, like MP3 players (including iPods) and cellphones using Bluetooth or USB connections. That means you can control them with voice commands or steering-wheel controls without going through a lengthy setup. Ask for a song or artist by name, and Sync cues it up, or dial a number just by saying the name from your address book, which it can access anytime you’re in the car. Sync debuts on the 2008 Ford Focus and Ford Edge. ford.com

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OTHER WINNERS IN Automotive

	2008 Audi R8 The New Ferrari-Killer			2008 BMW M3 An F1 engine for the road
	2008 Honda Accord A super-clean v6			Ford and Microsoft Sync Cars and gadgets play nice
	Chevrolet Volt Concept The plug-in revolution is coming			Mercedes AMG Alubeam A finish like a carved block of silver
	BMW Sun Reflective Technology Thigh-saving seats			Honda i-DTEC Diesel Green diesel without the upkeep
	Infiniti Around-View Monitor Be an omniscient driver			2008 Chrysler Town & Country The minivan as living room
	Smart Fortwo The smallest car on the road			Volvo Integrated Two-Stage Child Booster Cushions A built-in booster seat
	GM, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, the BMW Group Two-Mode Hybrid A highway-worthy hybrid