2014 Ford Fiesta gets MyFord Touch and improved Sync voice recognition

Ford's smallest model is also the latest to get the MyFord Touch infotainment system, part of a redesign for the 2014 model year.

The 2014 Ford Fiesta goes on sale next spring with a new front fascia, a longer list of options, and some extra tech. For the first time, Ford’s smallest car gets the MyFord Touch infotainment system, as well as an improved version of the Sync voice recognition control in current models.

MyFord Touch allows the driver to control functions like navigation, audio, climate control, and Bluetooth primarily through a touch screen. In the Fiesta, it’s a 6.5-inch unit mounted prominently in the center stack.

Ford seems determined to put MyFord Touch in all of its vehicles, although the first version of the system was panned for being slow and requiring too much of the driver’s attention. Ford updated the software earlier this year, but MyFord Touch 2.0 still has critics.

Hopefully the Fiesta will strike a better balance between technology and functionality. MyFord Touch-equipped models come with a redesigned center stack with fewer buttons, although some are retained as redundant controls. We’ll have to see if Ford has found the happy medium between too many buttons and too few.

The 2014 Fiesta also gets the newest version of Sync, which streamlines calling and texting with voice recognition. It uses more logical voice commands that, for example, allow drivers to ask for their favorite radio station by name instead of calling up the radio, FM, and the music genre.

Ford’s Sync AppLink, which allows drivers to use Ford-approved apps, returns, as does the Sync Services concierge, which offers things like turn-by-turn directions.

Making the most of Sync and MyFord Touch is an available eight-speaker Sony HD radio with satellite capability.

The 2014 Fiesta also features a new exterior design with a front end that apes the 2013 Fusion’s (definitely not a bad thing), and a new turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine with an estimated 40 mpg. Despite its microscopic size, Ford says the 1.0-liter delivers more horsepower per liter than a Lamborghini Aventador.

The 2014 Fiesta’s official U.S. debut will be at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this week.

View the original article here

Windows Phone 8 latest SDK shows improved HTML5 benchmark, but still behind iPhone 5

Now that the Windows Phone 8 SDK is nearing full-public release and the OS is RTM, we can get a better idea of some of the HTML5 benchmarks.

We last compared these numbers a few months ago and while HTML5 compatibility has greatly increased from IE9 to IE10, it’s still not as robust as Android (ICS), iOS6 or BlackBerry 10.

The current build of Windows Phone 8 scored 319 (+ 6 bonus) on the HTML5 Test with iOS6 (via the iPhone 5) coming in at 360 (+9 Bonus). Of course all of that is ironically trumped by RIMs in-gestation BlackBerry 10, which has a super high score of 447 (+10 bonus) and while that is high, 3rd party browser Dolphin for Android (currently in beta) gets 450 (+3 bonus).

Some of the latest features in IE10

IE10 for Windows Phone 8 - 319 (+ 6)iPhone 5 - 360 (+9)BB10 (beta) – 447 (+10)Dolphin (beta, Android) – 450 (+3)

Does HTML5 mean that much? Yes and no. For one, the HTML5 feature list is in flux, although the test takes that into consideration when breaking down scores. In short, yes, having a higher score is better as it means when it comes to forms, data entry, rendering tables, etc. the more compatible the browser, the more accurate it will look. Does it mean that we will notice the difference? Maybe not but we wouldn’t lie in saying we wish Windows Phone 8 scored a little higher (even if it nearly tripled its IE9 score of 121).

Of course there are other browser benchmarks to consider, including speed and how the OS itself handles things. For that, we’ll have to wait a little longer. One thing though is for certain, the competition is not resting on its laurels when it comes to mobile browsers these days. And regardless of HTML5 tests, we're confident that IE10 on Windows Phone 8 will be a great improvement over its predecessor. 

Edit: A lot of people seem to be suggesting that the areas where IE10 on Windows Phone 8 is lagging are non-important, "experimental" features. This is quite far from the truth though. Most of the features missing compared to other platforms, including iOS6 are in fact 'Official HTML5 specifications'. Only 1 was experimental: Web Audio API.

Related and more information: iOS6 Safari currently beats out Windows Phone 8 for HTML5 features

View the original article here