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Waze's traffic data is available in Ford Sync 3 cars
You now have a simple way to put Waze on car's screen -- if you have the right phone and the right car. As promised back at CES, iPhone owners can now project the crowdsourced navigation app on the touchscreens of Ford's Sync 3-equipped cars. It won't be as sophisticated as the Android Auto implementation, but you can still use both touch and voice control for most tasks (you can't type in an address while the car is moving, for obvious reasons). You don't need to do much more to get started beyond plugging your iPhone into the car's USB port.
Ford is updating Sync with Waze and a driving assistant
Ford is updating its Sync infotainment software with a few new navigation options. Sygic is a name we haven't heard in quite awhile, but the GPS company will bring its voice assistant to certain Ford vehicles. If your blue-oval-clad ride has Sync 3 and you've got Sygic's nav app installed on your phone, you'll be able to press a button on your steering wheel to activate Sygic's new voice-powered Driving Assistant. According to TechCrunch, you can ask Driving Assistant for traffic info, gas prices and parking advice, among other tasks. It sounds quite a bit easier than using voice commands while driving with Siri, or fiddling with your car's infotainment screen.
Ford's 2019 Ranger unveiled with automatic emergency brakes
After a few years away (at least in the US) Ford's midsize truck, the Ranger, will return for the 2019 model year. Just unveiled ahead of the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it's one of two new models that Ford is releasing that includes automatic emergency braking. Other driver assists like lane keeping and adaptive cruise control are also available, but the one we haven't seen before is a sort of "cruise control for off-road" called Trail Control. Between 1-20 MPH on rugged terrain, it takes over acceleration and braking individually on each wheel while the driver just steers.
Waze's crowd-sourced traffic info comes to Ford Sync 3 cars
In 2016, Ford wisely decided to offer Apple's CarPlay and Android Auto on all its Sync 3 infotainment system-equipped 2017 vehicles, and owners are seeing more benefits from that at CES 2018. Ford announced that it now supports Waze's traffic and navigation app directly from your iPhone. After you plug it into any of the vehicle's USB ports, the app will appear on the Sync 3 touchscreen, letting you control it from there or use voice commands.
The Mustang GT adds brains to the brawn
The Mustang personifies the American muscle car. Folks who have zero interest in the Camaro and Charger are in awe of the design of the Ford that landed on roads in 1964. Besides a few design hiccups (ugh, the Mustang 2), it's been coveted, sung about, restored -- and as of 2016 -- purchased more than 9.5 million times. But, it's never been that smart -- until now.
Ford adds Android Auto and CarPlay to its 2016 vehicles
As it promised last year at CES, Ford has started updating 2106 Sync 3-equipped vehicles with Android Auto and CarPlay. That means drivers who have so far settled for the automaker's in-house setup will essentially get a brand new infotainment system if they'd rather switch. Android Auto users can update via WiFi or the USB port, while drivers who want CarPlay will have to make a trip to their dealer and pay a fee.
Ford vehicles will soon have Amazon Alexa on board
We finally know when Ford will unleash the Alexa integration it promised almost exactly a year ago. The automaker has announced it will roll out the feature in two phases, with the first one going live later this month. Folks who own Ford vehicles with the company's Sync 3 entertainment system, starting with the Focus Electric, Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi, will be able to control their cars from home sometime this January. They'll be able to start or stop their car engines, unlock their doors and check their fuel levels simply by issuing commands through Amazon's Echo, Echo Dot and Tap speakers.
All 2017 Ford vehicles are getting CarPlay and Android Auto
Ford has confirmed that all of its 2017 models -- every single car, SUV, light truck and EV -- are smartphone-ready. They all come loaded with Ford's Sync 3 entertainment system and are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Those who've snapped any of the currently available 2017 models, such as the latest Escape, Fusion, Mustang and Explorer, can already enjoy the in-car technologies. They can use their iPhones (5 or newer) or their Android Lollipop (or higher) devices to access maps, music, messages and even third-party apps on their vehicles' screens. Both systems give them access to voice commands, as well.
Ford Sync 3 is also heading to Europe this summer
Ford is apparently launching the Sync 3 connected car system this summer not only in the US, but also in Europe. The voice-activated 8-inch infotainment center can easily find establishments for you -- all you need to do is press a button and say "I need a coffee" or "I need gas petrol." And since the automaker baked both Android Auto and Apple Car Play support into the system, you can pair it with either an iPhone or an Android device.
Fords with Sync 3 are getting Android Auto and CarPlay
Owners of Ford vehicles with Sync 3 will soon be able to enjoy Android Auto or Apple's Car Play in their cars. The automaker announced that its connected car system will start playing nicer with your mobile-platform of choice.
Ford's new Sync Connect app lets you remotely start your car
How do you know that app-connected cars are going to become the norm rather than the exception? When Ford decides to get in on the action. The firm has announced the launch of its Sync Connect app that'll pair your smartphone to its vehicles, letting you access (and control) it from anywhere in the world. The first vehicle to benefit from the technology is the 2017 Ford Escape, and users will be able to control the door locks as well as remotely start the engine. In addition, the app will let you know your car's vital statistics, including the fuel, oil and battery levels, as well as letting you use GPS to pick your ride out of a crowded parking lot. Sure, we've seen similar tech in plenty of other high-spec and luxury offerings (Tesla, take a bow) but the Escape is one of the cheapest ways to get a high-tech ride.
Engadget Live heads to Austin on Friday!
This Friday, October 16th at 7PM, we're heading back to Austin, TX, for our second-to-last Engadget Live event of the year! We're taking over the Austin Music Hall to bring together gadget lovers (like you!) for a night you won't want to miss. Tickets are free!
Engadget Live is coming to Austin next Friday!
We're excited to be returning to Austin, TX, one of our favorite cities, on October 16th at 7PM for our third Engadget Live event of the year! We'll take over Austin Music Hall and bring together gadget lovers and tech companies for a night you don't want to miss. Tickets are free, but if you'd like to get in an hour earlier (at 6PM), you can purchase an early-access pass.
Engadget Live heads to Austin, Texas on October 16th!
It's been a while since our last Engadget Live event (we love you, Los Angeles!) and even longer since we visited Austin. So, on October 16th at 7PM, we're taking over the Austin Music Hall to bring gadget lovers and awesome tech companies together. Entry is free, but we're also offering you the chance to beat the crowds and get in an hour early for $15. Get your free ticket or purchase an early-access pass here.
Join us for Engadget Live in Boston this Friday!
We're kicking off our Engadget Live series this Friday, July 17th in one of our favorite cities; Boston! At 7PM, we're taking over the Royale Nightclub on Tremont Street where we'll bring together gadget lovers and awesome tech brands. Sound good? First, grab your free tickets and then read on to find out what you can expect at our fun, free event.
Join us next week for #EngadgetLive Boston!
In just about one week, you can join your fellow gadget enthusiasts in Boston for our very first Engadget Live event of 2015! If you plan to be in town on Friday, July 17th at 7pm, grab your FREE ticket and join your fellow gadget enthusiasts at the Royale Nightclub at 279 Tremont Street in downtown Boston.
Ford Sync 3 launches in the Escape and Fiesta this summer
Ford's Sync 3 connected car system is nearly ready to hit the road. The automaker has revealed that its tuned-up infotainment will first show up in 2016 Escape and Fiesta models, both of which go on sale this summer. If you'll recall, this version of Sync makes some big strides toward matching the experience you get on your smartphone. Besides touting an easier (or rather, less cumbersome) and speedier interface, it also brings in support for phone-like capacitive touch, more natural voice commands and WiFi updating. Sync 3 is much smarter about talking to your mobile gear, as well. It'll be one of the first shipping in-car platforms to support both Android Auto and CarPlay, and it'll eventually communicate directly with supporting navigation apps. You'll have to wait until later in the year if you want the new Sync in a spiffier ride like the Mustang, but that's no problem if you're just interested in an A-to-B commuter with modern cabin tech.
Ford explains why Sync 3 supports Apple and Google car apps
With both Apple and Google wrangling to become the infotainment center of your next new car, Ford will be choosing neither. Or both, depending on how you look at it. During an interview with Re/code, Ford CEO Mark Fields provided some details on how his company will be leveraging its in-house designed Sync system to act as middleman between smart devices and vehicles.
Ford will connect your phone's navigation app to Sync 3
Ford's new connected car system hasn't hit the streets yet but it's already announcing future upgrades. This week during the North American International Auto Show it said the third version of AppLink -- a set of APIs that let mobile apps work with the car's systems and controls -- will come to Sync 3, and the headline feature is that users can bring their phone's navigation software to the car's screen. Instead of bringing full mobile features to its system with Android Auto, CarPlay or MirrorLink, Ford's system uses its controls to interact with mobile apps and data on the phone. AppLink 3.0 won't ship until some point after Sync 3 actually rolls out, but hopefully by then Ford has negotiated compatibility with navigation for popular apps from the likes of Google, Apple and Waze. If you want to know a bit more about why Ford set up the new system the way it did (and what owners of older Sync systems can expect), you should check out our CES interview with Connected Vehicle and Services Executive Director Don Butler, which is embedded after the break.
Ford drops Microsoft and revamps its Sync system for more speed
Ford has abandoned Microsoft in favor of BlackBerry with its third-gen Sync connected car system and promised smartphone-like performance, conversational voice control and a simpler interface. As had been rumored, the Sync 3 will use BlackBerry's QNX instead of Microsoft's MyFord Touch system platform -- a big change-up, considering that Ford and Microsoft have worked together on Sync for over seven years. But after polling customers, the auto giant said that it was determined to make the third-gen system more responsive and less clumsy to use.
