HD Radio has been around for a while now and promises free over-the-air broadcasts that rival CD quality. Many local FM stations in your area probably broadcast HD programming as well. Ford has announced that starting next year it will integrate HD receivers with iTunes tagging into its vehicles.

The new HD receivers will have a button on the front that users can hit to tag the songs for iTunes. Up to 100 tags can be stored in the SYNC system and downloaded via USB to an iPod to sync with iTunes. When the iPod is synced, the songs can then be purchased with iTunes.

One of the coolest options that Ford offers on most of its vehicles is the Sync Bluetooth system. Sync allows you to control your Bluetooth phone to make and receive calls and allows you to control your music collection as well.

Ford has announced that owners of 2010 Ford vehicles can now download a free Sync application called TDI (traffic, directions, information) that allows the Sync system to provide turn-by-turn driving directions using the drivers Bluetooth mobile phone.

US Auto manufacturers like Ford and GM are hoping hi-tech innovations will put sales into high gear. Ford recently announced a partnership with Microsoft to create Sync, a technology built into Ford vehicles that will allow the interface of devices like mobile phones and iPods to the automobiles sound system.

GM unveiled an all electric car that draws power from an onboard lithium-ion battery (just like an iPod!). GM calls this concept car “Volt.” GM tried and failed once before with its EV1 hybrid car. GM has improved on the features of the EV1 by increasing the passenger area, increasing the maximum spend and decreasing the charging time for the batteries. The car is unique in that the combustion engine is only used to charge the battery, not for actually propelling the vehicle. The Volt can either …

Today Ford announced that they have teamed up with Microsoft to offer some in-car software to enhance the use of digital audio players, mobile phones and multimedia in their vehicles. Ford Sync will be powered by Microsoft Auto Software and provide voice activated communications and entertainment in select Ford vehicles.

Sync is planned to be available in 12 different Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles yet this year and will allow users to access their mobile phone, mobile music and will host almost any digital media player including the iPod and Zune, all from voice commands or from controls on the steering wheel. Integration will happen via either Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phones or a USB 2.0 port inside the vehicle to connect digital audio players and most media storage devices. The Microsoft Auto software will support …