Ford has been updating its Sync in-car communications and infotainment system apace, with the Connect remote control and monitoring app, new AppLink apps and Siri integration. Now it's putting iOS and Android on the dashboard and expanding connectivity in other ways.
This next step for the company's in-car connectivity offering will see Apple CarPlay and Android Auto brought to Ford vehicles. Both will be available on all 2017 models equipped with Sync 3, while owners of 2016 models with Sync 3 will be able to upgrade later this year.
CarPlay will allow users with iPhone 5 models or later to plug in their smartphone via USB and have its interface displayed on the vehicle's touchscreen. Users can then make phone calls, access music, send and receive messages and get directions optimized for traffic conditions via the car's touchscreen. All of these functions can also be controlled via voice commands.
Devices running Android 5.0 or higher, meanwhile, will project information onto the screen from apps including Google Maps, Google Play Music and others. Users will be able to find answers to questions using Google Voice Search.
New AppLink apps will include the first to use available vehicle information such as GPS location and mileage, and a new "Send Location" feature will allow developers to create apps with the functionality built-in.
The video below provides an overview of SYNC 3 AppLink with the Send Location feature.
Source: Ford
