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New apps for Ford drivers through Ford SYNC AppLink

6th September 2013 Print
Ford SYNC with AppLink

Ford has announced a range of new apps at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin that will be accessible through its in-car connectivity system, Ford SYNC with AppLink.
 
TomTom navigation and room booking service, Hotels.com, are among the companies to integrate apps into Ford SYNC with AppLink, which enable drivers to voice-activate apps from behind the wheel. The system will also offer apps from Audioteka, DIE WELT, ADAC,Eventseeker and Cityseeker by Wcities, Autoread and AskWiki apps from Deutsche Telekom Innovation Laboratories.
 
The new apps expand a growing catalogue including leading music streaming service Spotify; the Kaliki audio newsstand app; Glympse, which allows Ford drivers to share their location with family and friends through voice control; and Aha, which uses the cloud to enable Internet-based entertainment and information, legally and safely.
 
“Ford SYNC AppLink delivers exciting capability for drivers integrating their devices and apps they know and love into their car,” said Ed Pleet, director, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa Connected Services. “Drivers will soon be able to control music, information and audiobooks; voice-activate navigation, find parking spaces and even reserve hotel rooms on their way to their destination all while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”
 
Ford is also encouraging app developers to create their own SYNC with Applink voice-control apps for connected smartphones, having launched the automotive industry’s first open mobile app developer programme at the International CES in Las Vegas.
 
Future app development will benefit from the collaboration of Ford and Deutsche Telekom to leverage Ford’s Applink Software Development Kit (SDK) and Deutsche Telekom’s Developer Garden’s* applications hub to pave the way for development of new apps and opportunities.
 
To support the SYNC Applink feature, an App Catalog is being introduced in Europe.  This enables smartphone owners to identify SYNC Applink-compatible apps, filtering search results based on the location of the user.  The Catalog enables consumers to browse by category to find information on service features, voice commands and even user ratings.
 
The new Ford EcoSport SUV will be among the first Ford vehicles in Europe to offer Ford SYNC with AppLink followinga successful launch in North America, where more than one million Ford vehicles including the US Ford Fusion and Ford Fiesta are already equipped with the system.

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Ford SYNC with AppLink