Ford's Sync AppLink bringing in-car voice control to Android, BlackBerry apps
By Darren Murph 
posted April 20th 2010 12:01AM
posted April 20th 2010 12:01AM
SYNC AppLink to launch on 2011 fiesta, MAKING FORD FIRST TO DELIVER voice control of smartphone apps
· Ford will first offer SYNC® AppLink, a downloadable software program, on the 2011 Fiesta, allowing owners to access and control AndroidTM and BlackBerry® smartphone apps with voice commands and vehicle controls
· Pandora internet radio, Stitcher "smart radio" and Orangatame's OpenBeak are the first SYNC-enabled mobile applications
· Ford to create SYNC developer community with launch of new "Mobile Application Developer Network" (www.syncmyride.com/developer), giving developers a pathway to partner with Ford on SYNC-enabled applications
· Ford's 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
SAN FRANCISCO, April 20, 2010 – Customers have spoken -- asking for safe, convenient access to their smartphone apps while in the vehicle – and Ford is responding by announcing the new SYNC AppLink software that will allow hands-free voice control of popular smartphone apps.
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 all SYNC-equipped vehicles next year, as well as provide interoperability with iPhone and other smartphones.
"The growth in smartphone mobile apps has been explosive, and Ford has worked hard to respond at the speed of the consumer electronics market," said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford's Connected Services Organization. "SYNC 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's voice commands and steering wheel buttons, helping drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road."
The Android MarketTM and BlackBerry App World™ are among the leading growth markets for mobile apps. The new SYNC AppLink will seamlessly integrate apps using the vehicle's voice and user interface controls, including buttons on the steering wheel, increasing eyes-on-the-road and hands-on-the-wheel time.
The first SYNC-enabled apps available later this year include Pandora internet radio, Stitcher "smart radio" and Orangatame's 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.
Built-in, Beamed-in and Brought-in: The SYNC App Ecosystem
From its introduction, Ford has been building an ecosystem of available SYNC apps, continuously improving the consumer experience.
· Built-in apps, including Vehicle Health Report and 911 Assist™, are downloaded and installed directly on the in-car SYNC operating system
· SYNC apps like Traffic, Directions & Information rely on beamed-in, or "cloud-based," 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.
· SYNC AppLink represents the third category of the ecosystem, brought-in apps, leveraging apps installed on a user's smartphone, such as Pandora, Stitcher and OpenBeak
Studies show mobile app development – a niche market just three years ago – 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.
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's safer voice commands and steering wheel controls, drivers are able to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. "Brought-in" apps residing on a consumer's 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.
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.
Opening the door to developers
To 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
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's development partners creating a SYNC-enabled version of its app just three days after receiving the development tools.
"We're very pleased by the rapid development time and positive feedback we've seen from our first partners," said VanDagens. "We want to encourage all developers to visit our site and submit ideas, helping us tap into the global pool of innovation and creativity."
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@IanA
Yep Europeans seem to love Fords, and you can't really blame them when you consider the fact that Ford has been selling excellent cars there for years before they started their turnaround in the USA.
Which is why I'm particularly excited about upcoming vehicles like the Fiesta, the 2010 Ford Focus and the C-Max, all of which are Ford's new "global" cars that will be sold in relatively unchanged form in the US and Europe.
Of course, recent American Fords have been excellent as well (Fusion, Edge, Taurus, etc.)
If I haven't already made it obvious, I've become a huge Ford fanboy, ever since Alan Mulally stepped in.
@nojorge
You are spot-on with that. Ford Europe have produced great cars for a while now, and I'm with you on the new Fiesta....I got to see one inside & out last summer (in-between young people flocking around it). I'm not remotely surprised that it's so popular in Europe, and am glad we are finally getting it....I just wish we could only get that Focus RS/RS500 too, heh.
As far as I'm concerned, Alan Mulally has earned every dime of his pay and more. I have a fairly close local Ford engineer friend, and what he's told me is this: the company is like night & day from before Mulally came in vs. today...that he's turned the entire structure of the company upside down and really shook things up internally. That engineers today play a vastly greater role in across-the-board decision-making than they did in the past, and that their new quality improvement methodology is ridiculously better & more efficient than before (I gathered the weak-link identification/correction model is actually similar to Honda's). Barring some internal disaster, I think people are going to be very surprised at how fast, far & up Ford climb in the next few years.
and so the ford fiesta is really just another medium for a mac vs. windows argument.
@VanillaSperm
lol too bad the M3 gets whooped by the 2011 mustang GT lol! So take you iTard and that slow over priced BMW and go listen to like a virgin!
I'm not the biggest Ford fan (I'm driving a '98 ranger right now), but they're doing all the right things. You can't go from bottom of the heap to the top in a year or 2, but Ford's almost done that.
Check out the 2011 Mustang GT. About 412 hp, almost 400 lb-ft of torque. Ridiculous fast. Drawback is there are so many Mustangs on the road right now. For those Hyundai haters, they're doing the same. Again, I was skeptical of them as well, but after having 5 in my family, no problems on reliability. Take the Hyundai Genesis and new Ford Mustangs for a test drive, you'll be impressed. My skepticism was replaced by satisfaction.
I base my conclusions on what cars are right now, not on what they used to be.
http://www.insideline.com/ford/mustang/2011/2011-ford-mustang-gt-5-0-first-look.html
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Upscale-Midsize-Cars/
@robdmau Dude, this Vanilla guy is an ass, but don't ever bring up the mustang in a comparison to a BMW. Mustangs are garbage cars made of cheap plastic and a suspension DIRECTLY derived from the model T. Mustangs are garbage "sports" cars for people who are nostalgic about when mustangs were awesome and for people who cannot afford a quality sports car. Seriously, and to compare it to a BMW, shit, ANY BMW, is ridiculous and shows that the person really has no clue wtf they are talking about. I would take a 10 year old used BMW over ANY new Mustang.
@muyoso Calling the mustang a bad car because it skimps on certain things to give people what they really want in a sports car at a reasonable price is a joke and shows your ignorance. The suspension is MORE than adequate to drive on the street with and gives more handling ability than 98% of people will ever be able to push to its max. For straight line acceleration, which is what most people care about, it's great and not much sounds better than an American V8. The M3 is pretty much a muscle car for more well off people. And if someone plans to really race their car neither the mustang nor m3 is going to be great at it cause that's not what they are made for. So gtfo with your mustang bashing/ BMW worshipping.
I give Ford credit, they didn't take a handout last year and were arguably in as bad of shape as GM. Furthermore, they are putting out some good looking vehicles as of late and have been reliable for years as others have already pointed out.
@hated one
Ha Ha, I just bashes you for your choice at the same time, high five!
@hated one
Until your state can figure out how to create budget, I don't want to hear anything about cali getting props. Land of fruit and nuts! Just my opinion of course. Good night all!
@hated one
To each his own, I think Jaguars look horrible these days, not like they used to.
I would think in north hollywood you could probably put the letters LV all over any type of car and it would be considered classy.
This is a smart move by Ford. If they can shift the emphasis to software, this might be the first time in decades where an American car company gains major ground that they hold. People can bark all they wan't about how this model car sucks and this other one is great, but the fact is that all cars are lot more reliable today than 10 years ago. Once car reliability ceases to be a big concern, then user interface and software become more important. At least so far, UI has not proved to be Japanese car companies' strong point (my Toyota GPS is prove of this). There are three cars in my family, but I drive the most boring one most often because it has the best ipod integration. This may not end up that different from PC vs Mac wars. The hardware is the pretty much the same, it's the software that counts. Hell, the main characteristic that distinguishes one car from another today is skin, so a good infotainment interface is already more significant than that.
one point to you ford - zero to others
Does anyone know if this is us only or if we'll get this appsync tech in uk fords?
Why do all this work? All you have to do is ignore the quality of your products, pay massive wages and bennies for skills a monkey can do and be big. Then when that fails, just get in bed with the government. They'll go around and muscle up your competitors for you once they have a vested interest. Thats how business works in America these days. I don't know why Ford is wasting all this time competing by coming out with new stuff that people actually want to buy. You don't have to do that anymore when it comes to transportation.
Car fanboys are the worst kind of fanboy.
What blackberry apps? :D