Going by a recent announcement by one of the distraught US automakers, Ford, next year onwards, the currently available communications technologies – like real-time traffic, hands-free calling, and audible text messages – as well as “Wi-Fi hotspots,” will become a regular feature of the SYNC-equipped Ford cars and trucks.

Ford said that the next generation of the Sync in-car entertainment and information system will be available on a few select models in 2010. The system, using a USB mobile broadband modem, will establish a secure wireless connection that would provide concurrent support to several devices. The facility will neither necessitate any subscription nor any hardware, other than the modem.

Noting the advantages underlying the newly-announced Ford move, Mark Fields, Ford president of the Americas, said: “While you’re driving to grandma’s house, your spouse can be finishing the holiday shopping and the kids can be chatting with friends. And you’re not paying for yet another mobile subscription or piece of hardware because Ford will let you use technology you already have.”

The in-car connectivity in selected Ford vehicles will function like the hotspot cards from wireless providers – the connection will be free from the hassles of cords, thanks to a small data card that will be embedded in select vehicle.

Ford’s in-car connectivity announcement follows the last-week General Motors’ announcement of a similar facility in seven of its SUV and trucks models.