Ford Enables iTunes Song Tagging

iTunes Tagging and crystal-clear radio sound through HD Radio technology are the latest features on Ford's growing list of factory-installed customer conveniences and technologies that will be newly available in 2010.

HD Radio receivers pull in digital radio signals and play them with dramatically improved sound. FM stations, for example, have near-CD quality, making it convenient for customers to select songs they want to download and purchase.

"iTunes Tagging and HD Radio technology are strong new additions to the growing collection of Ford convenience features and technology we're offering customers to make driving even more enjoyable," said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. "This is another example of Ford's commitment to bring the widest variety of factory-installed customer-focused technology, features and conveniences to millions of people."


• Ford is the first auto manufacturer to offer HD Radio technology with iTunes Tagging capability; this new functionality will be available next year
• HD Radio technology captures free digital radio broadcasts, which eliminate static, fadeout and other problems associated with conventional analog radio signals; the result is FM audio that's comparable to near-CD quality and AM audio that sounds like today's FM broadcasts
• HD Radio digital technology provides a number of advanced services not available with an analog radio. Extra FM channels, called HD2/HD3 channels, are delivered, as well as useful on-screen Program Service Data such as artist name and song title

Like the song? You can tag it
The world's first implementation of iTunes Tagging in a factory-installed HD Radio receiver will
launch in 2010 on select Ford vehicles. Through the SYNC system, iTunes Tagging will provide
Ford customers with the ability to capture a song they hear on the HD Radio receiver for later
purchase. With a simple push of the "TAG" button on the radio display, the song information
will be stored in the radio's memory.

Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is connected. When the iPod is then synced
to iTunes, a playlist of "tagged" songs will appear. Customers then can preview and, if desired,
purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store. All HD Radio-enabled receivers in Ford vehicles also will provide Program Service Data – information that appears on the radio screen and includes song title, artist name and more.

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