The Ford is all set to introduce an update to Ford Sync retrofits the infotainment platform with the Bluetooth Message Access Profile (MAP), which enables some smartphones to stream and read text messages out loud to to the driver.

On Tuesday, it will be made available as an upgrade to Sync vehicles that are model 2010 or later. In order to install the capability, owners can download the upgrade from the Ford Sync site onto a USB drive along with print-out instructions. Older Ford vehicles that have Sync will soon be able to make the update as well, says supervisor of Sync product development Mark Porter.

A limited population of phones has the capability to work with the text message readback feature of SYNC," said Mark Porter, supervisor of SYNC product development, in a statement. "With our initial adoption of MAP for our latest generation of SYNC and our recent efforts to integrate it into our previous variations of the system, we hope we are setting an example that encourages more collaboration between Ford, the phonemakers and the wireless industry to help drivers find smarter alternatives to hand-held texting while on the road."

To take advantage of the new Bluetooth profile, Sync subscribers will also need a mobile phone that also supports MAP, which as of today are only the following smartphones: Blackberry Style (9670) Blackberry Curve (9300) Motorola Atrix Motorola Droid Bionic Motorola Photon HTC EVO 3D HTC Sensation 4G