Ford Is First To Offer Factory-Installed HD Radio With iTunes Tagging

2011 Ford Mustang Picture

Ford's 2011 Mustang GT will be among the Ford products to get factory-installed HD radio and iTunes tagging.
Ford is set to become the first automaker to offer a factory-installed HD radio option with iTunes tagging when it introduces the technology next year. This announcement follows a statement last week that the next-generation Ford Sync will essentially allow passengers to turn their vehicle into a rolling Wi-Fi hot spot by plugging a mobile modem or "air card" into the standard USB port.

Next year, all 2011 Ford vehicles will offer standard radio, HD radio technology, Sirius Satellite Radio and even Internet radio if you choose to set it up.

The system will automatically pick up HD signals and provide exclusive access to HD radio HD2/HD3 channels. These "mini-stations" or "sister" channels are found directly adjacent to the main channel on the dial, if they are available. Examples of these stations include a dedicated HD3 channel in Dallas to cover the Cowboys 24/7 and a similar HD2 station in Pittsburgh to cover the Penguins around the clock.

With the HD radio comes iTunes tagging capability. Through the Sync system, drivers will be able to simply press a button labeled "Tag" on the radio display, storing up to 100 songs heard over the radio in the receiver's memory. Customers can then connect an iPod to the Sync system to receive the data and a playlist of these "tagged" songs will automatically appear. They can then conveniently preview and eventually purchase the music if they choose.

"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. 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," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas.