Ford Brings Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to Its Vehicles

With the stiff competition in the in-car communication and infotainment arena, Ford is giving its best shot in updating its Sync-in car communication and infotainment system, with the Connect remote control and monitoring app, latest AppLink apps and Siri integration. Now, the premier American automaker is putting Android and iOS on the dashboard and expanding connectivity in other ways.

This next phase for the company’s in-car connectivity offering will see Android Auto and Apple CarPlay brought to Ford vehicles. Both will be offered on 2017 models featuring Sync 3, while owners of 2016 models with Sync 3 can get a chance to upgrade later this year.

With CarPlay, users with iPhone 5 models or later can plug in their smartphone via USB and have its interface displayed on the car’s touchscreen. It also enables users to make phone calls, send and receive messages, access music, as well as get directions optimized for traffic conditions via the car’s touchscreen. These functions can also be controlled via voice commands.

Meanwhile, devices that run Android 5.0 or higher will display information onto the screen from apps including Google Play Music, Google Maps and others. Also, Google Voice Search will enable users to find answers to their questions.

The first to use available vehicle information such as mileage and GPS location will be included in the new AppLink apps. Moreover, a new “Send Location” feature will also enable developers to create apps with the functionality built-in.