Ford chose the CES in Las Vegas to announce the new features of their refreshed SYNC connectivity system.
Customers can now benefit from the addition of Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto platforms while the new 4G LTE support will not only provide faster connection times but will allow owners to remotely access features in their cars.
More specifically, customers will be able to program a remote start, unlock doors, check the fuel level or even locate their parked car through their smartphone.
“SYNC allows customers to bring the smartphone technology they’re comfortable with into a vehicle and use it without hassle,” said Don Butler, Ford executive director, Connected Vehicle and Services. “With SYNC, we move at our customers’ pace – making it easy for them to maintain a connected lifestyle no matter their choice of smartphone, apps or services inside and outside their vehicle.”
At the same time Applink gains new applications which use information taken straight from the vehicle, like the GPS location and mileage, offering a more customized experience.
Among the new apps is the new AAA/CAA application which is available for AAA members in the US and CAA members in Canada. The new app uses the vehicle’s GPS data to show fuel prices, fuel stations locations and use the Here2There route planner with live traffic information.
The Concur app helps driver to log their business trips. The application clocks mileage from the odometer using vehicle’s data and each time the car is turned off, Concur records the trip into the journal.
Every 2017 Ford model equipped with SYNC 3 systems will be available with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, starting with the new Escape. Existing customers with the SYNC 3 systems will get the opportunity to upgrade their infotainment systems later in the year.