There's no denying that texting when behind the wheel of a car is dangerous and, in a growing number of states, illegal. Ford knows, however, that these are only minor hindrances to drivers who will find the habit of texting and driving hard to break. That's why the American automaker has opted to release a new software update for their lauded SYNC system, which allows users to listen to their text messages as read by the vehicle's audio system. This allows drivers in the greater Atlanta area and beyond to stay safe, alert, and all around focused on the road, and best of all, they won't have to break any laws to find out the latest gossip from their friends.

The new update features the Message Access Profile (MAP), which reads texts off of your Smartphone then to you out loud, and it's something that we here at John Bleakley Ford fully support. We, however, tend to think that the best part of this new app is that it's 100 percent free to update if you're currently using a model equipped with the Ford SYNC system.

"Texting is becoming a ubiquitous part of our day," says Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director, Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), "So it stands to reason the remote message access profile is an essential addition for handsets, automobiles, headsets and aftermarket car kits."¹

So far, only a hand full of smart phone manufacturers have gone onboard with this exciting new update to the SYNC system. Among those who officially support MAP are HTC, RIM, Samsung and LG, but Ford is hoping that others in the wireless phone industry will soon adopt similar features as well. After all, industry-wide cooperation will likely be key in combating the danger that distracted driving imposes on the road today.

If you'd like to upgrade to the new Message Access Profile, then be sure to go to www.syncmyride.com and enter the VIN of your SYNC-equipped vehicle to see if you're eligible. From there, you can download the upgrade to a USB drive to load into the vehicle's hardware.

Of course, if you don't have a vehicle equipped with Ford SYNC, you could always check out the wide range of new Ford models that we carry here at 870 Thornton Road Lithia Springs, GA 30122 today by visiting our online inventory and showroom pages online. Once there, you'll have access to a wide range of info on every vehicle that we carry, from the Ford Ranger and Ford Transit Connect to the Ford Expedition and Ford Flex, and even info on the wide range of used cars that we carry too.

But, if a more hands-on experience with your next new or used Ford is what you're really after, then be sure to arrange a test drive simply by contacting us online or by phone at (888) 589-3953.

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¹http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=35451