Ford Presents iTunes Tagging on HD Radio

Starting with 2010, Ford will install HD Radio receivers on its cars, which practically means that passengers will have access to digital radio signals. This means that the radio will have improved, near CD quality sound.

HD Radio is great, but this is not the only Ford surprise for next year. Alongside the HD Radio, Ford will also offer the first iTunes Tagging system in a factory-installed HD Radioreceiver. According to Ford, this offers the “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.”

The device can store up to 100 tagged songs, until you connect the iPod and download them using the Sync function. After that, you can preview and download the tagged songs from the iTunes Store.

“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.”

In 2010, Ford vehicles will offer familiar terrestrial radio, HD Radio technology, SIRIUS Satellite Radio as well as Internet radio through Ford SYNC from a Bluetooth-streaming audio-capable smartphone.

“Ford continues to lead the market in bringing advanced capabilities to popular vehicles. We are very pleased that HD Radio technology is an integral part of Ford’s broad offering of new features,” said Jeff Jury, COO of iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of HD Radio technology.