Ford Sync To Offer Wi-Fi Via 3G

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A week after announcing an open API and third-party app support, Ford has announced yet another advancement in their Ford Sync mobile entertainment system.  Ford Sync has revealed Sync Wi-Fi, allowing customers to share a third-party 3G connection with passengers over a Wi-Fi bridge.

Ford Sync Wi-Fi will use the existing, on-board USB port to allow a user to plug in their own 3G wireless internet modem.  Sync will then use the 3G connection to provide a Wi-Fi hotspot to other passengers in the car.  While this technology will not operate in existing Ford Sync-enabled vehicles, some forthcoming factory cars will include this technology without eating into the passenger space of the car.

The announcement itself didn’t carry much information beyond the 3G-to-Wi-Fi capability itself.  Ford has not revealed which vehicles will feature this technology, nor have they announced an official release date.  Furthermore, it is not yet known if the Ford Sync Wi-Fi uses 802.11n, but it has been offered that Sync Wi-Fi will provide some sort of encription.  Either way, this writer has to salute Ford for allowing customers to use their existing 3G data plans to run their Sync Wi-Fi– instead of charging customers a monthly fee for a proprietary 3G service from the automaker itself.