Ford teams up with Microsoft to provide a new fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system named Sync for mobile phones and digital music players like Zune, IPod etc.

Sync will also support PlaysForSure players and most USB storage devices. Supported formats include MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV and PCM. Other ways to bring electronic devices into your car is via Bluetooth, for wireless connection of phones and phones that play music.

Sync will be available in 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products and will help revolutionize the driving experience by providing a simple system that intelligently connects mobile phones, music players, and more.”

Looking for zune deals? Well Newegg.com and Buy.com has great prices for you this holiday season.

Newegg.com has a black zune for sale at $229.99 and Buy.com sale price is $237.16. But with Google checkout you will get another $20 off taking the price to $219.16 or use Buy.com visa card and get $30 discount.

Microsoft earlier today released the v1.2 firmware for the Zune. It features speed enhancements and a stability increase. Just plug in your Zune and the Zune PC software will tell you to update to v1.2

I updated my Zune earlier and found that the Zune PC software doesn’t seem to know when the Zune is done updating. So here is some advice; after the Zune updates and boots back to its home screen, it will then be safe to unplug the Zune from the PC.

The first thing that caught my attention when I first heard about the Zune was the rumor that it would feature Wifi built into the player. This excited me greatly because I knew then and there that the Zune was the next big thing. Bill Gates called the Zune “future proof”. He is absolutely right! I’ll get into this a little later.

I bought my two Zunes the day they were released knowing that little fact. I purchased a white Zune and a black/blue Zune. The price was great! $249.99 for the next gen media player was right on target to take on the iPod. This pricing ended up working very well, as the Zune in November rated at #2 best selling player right behind the iPod.

As per Jason Reindorp, marketing director for Zune, Microsoft will be rolling out their first software update for the Zune before Christmas.

With all the threads and posts making rounds about software installation problem, connectivity problem and other minor (or not so minor) issues an update was badly needed.

Well the update will not have any major changes. But will definitely include Vista support and fix some minor glitches and add some performance and other improvements.

Reindorp quoted saying. (Source: CNet News)

“It is plumbing stuff, but it is stuff customers will notice and appreciate,”