SYNC APPLINK TO LAUNCH ON 2011 FIESTA, MAKING FORD FIRST TO DELIVER VOICE CONTROL OF SMARTPHONE APPS<\/strong><\/p>\n– Ford will first offer SYNC\u00ae AppLink, a downloadable software program, on the 2011 Fiesta, allowing owners to access and control AndroidTM and BlackBerry\u00ae smartphone apps with voice commands and vehicle controls
\n– Pandora internet radio, Stitcher \u201csmart radio\u201d and Orangatame\u2019s OpenBeak are the first SYNC-enabled mobile applications
\n– Ford to create SYNC developer community with launch of new \u201cMobile Application Developer Network\u201d (www.syncmyride.com\/developer), giving developers a pathway to partner with Ford on SYNC-enabled applications
\n– Ford\u2019s platform approach with SYNC is poised to harness smartphone app development and mobile web access; apps expected to be a $4 billion industry by 2012; analysts predict the mobile device to become the No. 1 source for Internet access by 2015<\/p>\n
SAN FRANCISCO, April 20, 2010 \u2013 Customers have spoken — asking for safe, convenient access to their smartphone apps while in the vehicle \u2013 and Ford is responding by announcing the new SYNC AppLink software that will allow hands-free voice control of popular smartphone apps.<\/p>\n
SYNC AppLink, a downloadable software upgrade, will be released for 2011 Ford Fiesta owners with the award-winning SYNC communications and infotainment system later this year, allowing drivers hands-free control of apps on their Android or BlackBerry smartphones via voice commands and vehicle controls. Ford will introduce AppLink on most SYNC-equipped vehicles next year, as well as provide interoperability with other smartphones.<\/p>\n
The Android MarketTM and BlackBerry App World\u2122 are among the leading growth markets for mobile apps. The new SYNC AppLink will seamlessly integrate apps using the vehicle\u2019s voice and user interface controls, including buttons on the steering wheel, increasing eyes-on-the-road and hands-on-the-wheel time.<\/p>\n
The first SYNC-enabled apps available later this year include Pandora internet radio, Stitcher \u201csmart radio\u201d and Orangatame\u2019s OpenBeak app for Twitter, with additional apps on the way. Updated versions of each app, incorporating the SYNC application programming interface (API), will be available through Android Market and BlackBerry App World for customers to download.<\/p>\n
Built-in, Beamed-in and Brought-in: The SYNC App Ecosystem
\nFrom its introduction, Ford has been building an ecosystem of available SYNC apps, continuously improving the consumer experience.<\/p>\n
– Built-in apps, including Vehicle Health Report and 911 Assist\u2122, are downloaded and installed directly on the in-car SYNC operating system
\n– SYNC apps like Traffic, Directions & Information rely on beamed-in, or \u201ccloud-based,\u201d information. Drivers access the Ford Service Delivery Network, a network of data centers providing turn-by-turn directions, business searches, and on-demand news, sports and weather information, through a simple voice-connection using their cell phone.
\n– SYNC AppLink represents the third category of the ecosystem, brought-in apps, leveraging apps installed on a user\u2019s smartphone, such as Pandora, Stitcher and OpenBeak<\/p>\n
Studies show mobile app development \u2013 a niche market just three years ago \u2013 is expected to blossom into a $4 billion industry by 2012. Sites serving specific mobile operating systems, such as Android and BlackBerry OS, have experienced massive growth, with analysts predicting the mobile device will become the No. 1 source for Internet access by 2015, surpassing the home computer.<\/p>\n
Ford and SYNC will answer the consumer demand by offering the only platform available for drivers to safely control their mobile devices and applications in the car. Leveraging SYNC\u2019s safer voice commands and steering wheel controls, drivers are able to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. \u201cBrought-in\u201d apps residing on a consumer\u2019s smartphone also eliminate the need for yet another piece of hardware to be installed in the car which only serves to add cost and complexity.<\/p>\n
Customers will be able to download SYNC-enabled mobile apps through the same app store interfaces currently used. As SYNC-enabled versions of existing apps are released into the app stores, users will be prompted to download the latest version upon connection. Also, as developers grasp the notion that the vehicle interior has opened to them, a new dimension of apps designed from the outset to maximize the unique in-car environment will follow.<\/p>\n
Opening the door to developers
\nTo facilitate future SYNC-enabled app development, Ford has also activated a new developer network on its SYNCmyride Web site (www.syncmyride.com\/developer). Interested developers can find a link to submit innovative ideas, and sign up for the latest information and news about the SYNC application programming interface (API) and software development kit (SDK). The package will allow developers to modify existing applications and create all-new apps that can successfully interface with SYNC.<\/p>\n
Working with trusted partners, Ford is completing beta-testing on the SDK. Once beta-testing is complete, a broader release of the development tools is planned for later this year. Initial reports have been positive, with one of Ford\u2019s development partners creating a SYNC-enabled version of its app just three days after receiving the development tools.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very pleased by the rapid development time and positive feedback we\u2019ve seen from our first partners,\u201d said VanDagens. \u201cWe want to encourage all developers to visit our site and submit ideas, helping us tap into the global pool of innovation and creativity.\u201d<\/p>\n
– By: Omar Rana<\/em><\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/feedads.g.doubleclick.net\/~a\/JT8uihBjKxoiaUmYXfzeI6rQb84\/0\/di\")
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<\/img><\/a>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"FoMoCo’s award winning SYNC technology is taking its practicality and convenience to the next level today with a new offering called SYNC AppLink, a new feature that allows drivers hands-free control of apps on their Android or BlackBerry smartphones via voice commands and vehicle controls (Apple iPhone fans, you’ll have to wait just a little […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-535275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/535275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=535275"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/535275\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=535275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=535275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=535275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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\u201cThe growth in smartphone mobile apps has been explosive, and Ford has worked hard to respond at the speed of the consumer electronics market,\u201d said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford\u2019s Connected Services Organization. \u201cSYNC is the only connectivity system available that can extend that functionality into the car. AppLink will allow drivers to control some of the most popular apps through SYNC\u2019s voice commands and steering wheel buttons, helping drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n