Do You Really Need Web Access In Your Car? Ford Says Yes

Ford SYNC is a positive initiative:  anything that keeps eyes focused on the road rather than on BlackBerries, iPods, and Garmins seems like a step in the right direction, and the concepts of voice-activated dialing, hands-free texting, and voice-triggered MP3 controls fall neatly into that category.

But the most recent development to the SYNC system has me wondering whether Ford is following their step forward with two giant leaps back.  Their goal is to use SYNC to introduce an option allowing drivers to turn their vehicles into Wi-Fi hotspots.  At first glance – and second, and third – this seems like a (potentially fatally) terrible idea, certainly one that contradicts the safety-focused image that Ford has worked so hard to project.

In Ford’s defense, they don’t intend for it to be a dangerous mechanism.  It’s meant to allow for otherwise idle pre-teens to check their Facebook and MySpace accounts, and to stream video, and for spouses in the passenger seat to pay bills and stay connected with the office.  However, with e-mailing, texting, and tweeting already a distraction worthy of Congressional discussion, how long will it be before we start spotting drivers typing away with one hand on mini-laptops delicately balanced on the opposite forearm?

Ford unwittingly raises the ongoing question: how necessary is it for us to stay open to and connected with our peers at any given moment?  And moreover, what will the Wi-Fi addition to the SYNC system bring that isn’t already available via smartphone?  I can certainly think of things I would rather do on my laptop, but I can’t think of a single thing that I can’t take care of using my BlackBerry.

The original Ford SYNC was almost certainly something I would have considered paying extra for, whether a one-time fee tacked on to the cost of a vehicle, or a small monthly charge.  On the other hand, the Wi-Fi feature is something that I would absolutely avoid at all costs, to the point where I would probably decline the original features when packaged with Wi-Fi as an all-or-nothing offer, if only to impress the strength of my opinion on Ford.  I couldn’t bring myself to spend my money on something in which I see so little benefit and so much potential detriment.

I can’t deny that it’s an interesting concept; it’s unique in the way that it targets Gen-Y, zeroing in on our constant craving for connectivity.  As we become more and more dependent on Aircards and smartphones I can see this concept taking off (although whether it will be a luxury or an indispensable feature is an entirely different story).

Perhaps Ford would consider providing Internet in vehicles’ own display panels – that way, the system could be locked while cars were in motion.  This seems like the direction in which we’re headed, but regardless of the solution, the system simply must be developed further to account for safety.

Go on, Ford:  build it tough.

Photo Credit: Q4RadioGuy/Flickr