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New, enhanced Ford SYNC® AppLink™ 3.0 allows
projection of moving graphics – such as maps from smartphones – onto
in-vehicle touch screens
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Ford accelerates smartphone app integration innovation by actively
contributing to SmartDeviceLink open-source project
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Ford, in collaboration with Alibaba Group, integrates smartphone-based
navigation through SmartDeviceLink; will lead to future implementation
on SYNC via AppLink 3.0
Company Website:
http://corporate.ford.com/
DETROIT -- (Business Wire)
Weeks after Ford introduced its next-generation SYNC® 3
in-vehicle connectivity system, the company today announced it is
rolling out Ford SYNC AppLink™ 3.0 next year, giving
customers the ability to access their favorite compatible navigation app
– much as they do on a smartphone – on in-vehicle touch screens.
“With each new version of AppLink, we’re improving the in-car experience
with better integration of smartphone apps and easier ways for customers
to access and control the content they love,” said Joe Beiser, Ford
director, Connected Services for Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa. “The
next version, AppLink 3.0, leverages open-source SmartDeviceLink
functionality to give developers a method to project graphics – such as
maps – onto our vehicle touch screens.”
This next version of AppLink benefits from the open-source
SmartDeviceLink initiative that is driving new feature innovation. As
part of that project, Ford is working with Alibaba, a global consumer
Internet service, to extend the group’s map, navigation and music
services to vehicles. This has led to the integration of SmartDeviceLink
into AutoNavi, Alibaba’s app for navigation services, demonstrating how
it can be projected onto a vehicle touch screen for seamless use – just
like on a smartphone.
The collaboration with Alibaba is also putting more emphasis on
development of SmartDeviceLink. Sharing Ford’s vision of a truly
open-source smartphone-linking technology, Alibaba will not only
integrate SmartDeviceLink into apps, but also become an active
contributor driving evolution of the project.
Commitment to SmartDeviceLink
This next version of AppLink is part of Ford’s implementation of the
open-source SmartDeviceLink technology that makes it easier for
developers to create smartphone apps that are compatible with
communications and entertainment systems from all automakers and
suppliers.
The mission of SmartDeviceLink is to standardize and simplify the
development process, and expand availability of in-car apps for
consumers with well-known and well-established open-source methodology.
Ford, an active contributor to SmartDeviceLink, continues to make
enhancements accessible through Genivi
with the intention of expanding partnerships with mobile app developers.
This will increase the markets where SmartDeviceLink technology is
available and provide developers an easier path to getting their apps
into more vehicles.
Ford already has rolled out its AppLink technology globally, including
North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Three new markets
are slated to come on board this year – Taiwan, New Zealand and Thailand.
AppLink is part of the Ford SYNC system. SYNC allows drivers to pair
their mobile phones with a vehicle and control the radio, make and
receive calls, and operate more features hands-free using voice controls.
By making AppLink software accessible to mobile app developers, Ford is
providing a platform to make apps respond to voice commands through
SYNC. Even with voice commands, customers should only use their SYNC
system when it is safe to do so.
Upon launch later this year, SYNC 3 will include Ford’s current version
of AppLink. The next version, AppLink 3.0, will be available at a later
date. Information about Ford’s new communications and entertainment
system, SYNC 3, can be found at media.ford.com.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford
Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 189,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the
company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and
video, visit www.media.ford.com.
Contacts:
Ford Motor Company
Alan Hall
734.845.4410
ahall32@ford.com
or
Emily
Olin
281.380.9661
emily.olin@hkstrategies.com
Source: Ford Motor Company
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