Automaker Ford has caught up with the iTunes story and is now introducing high def radios equipped with iTunes tagging, following its announcement earlier this month of plans to extend WiFi access to new car customers. The move makes Ford the first car maker to offer factory-installed HD radios equipped with iTunes tagging as standard across many of its models. “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. The implementation means Ford customers will gain 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. The products are set for introduction at giant US trade show, CES, next month.
