Ford announced just before CES 2016 in Las Vegas that will add support for CarPlay and Android Auto in your infotainment system in your vehicles. It will do this by adding compatibility to Ford Sync 3, the third version of the company's connected car technology, but it will still take some time before CarPlay can be used in Ford cars, as vehicles with Sync 3 currently will be able to update in the next few months. All 3 Sync 2017 equipped vehicles will now be compatible with CarPlay.
What does this translate to? Well, in that all Ford cars that have the possibility of using sync 3 Starting this year, they will be able to use Siri, Apple maps, control music and perform other actions without having to take their eyes off the road, something very important whenever we move in any vehicle. Additionally, vehicles with Android Auto compatible devices will also have the ability to access Google services.
This announcement has been long awaited. Ford already expressed interest in working with Apple when CarPlay was launched in March 2014, and this announcement will make its vehicles more attractive. Do not forget that Android and iOS are the two mobile systems with the largest market share by far with the third.
In addition to the upcoming support for CaPlay and Android Auto, Ford has also added a number of new applications for your AppLink platform, such as AAA member services, expense tracking or the Eventseeker location-based service, and a new 4G-powered feature that allows customers to start their vehicle, open doors, check the fuel quantity, and locate their car remotely from your phone.
New details may be revealed this week at CES. In any case, that a brand like Ford bets on CarPlay and Android Auto is very good news.
