Ford Australia has confirmed future models in its line-up will come equipped with the car maker’s next-generation Sync AppLink connectivity technology.
Ford launched Sync AppLink into Asia Pacific at Computex 2013 – Asia’s biggest computer exhibition held in Taipei, Taiwan – overnight, revealing the first three apps available to the region.
Already available in North America and confirmed for Europe later this year, Ford’s Sync AppLink allows motorists to control applications on their smartphones using voice controls.
First to launch will be Panadora, an internet radio app that learns your tastes and plays the music it thinks you will enjoy listening to; TuneIn Radio, a streaming service with access to 70,000 AM, FM, HD and internet radio stations; and Kaliki, an app that collates news stories from your favourite newspapers and magazines and provides an audio version for you to listen to on-demand.
Ford Asia Pacific, Africa and Europe connected services director Ed Pleet said the also-revealed AppLink Catalogue app management system would play a crucial role in ensuring the system’s user-friendliness as more applications are introduced in the future.
“We’ve been looking forward to bringing Ford Sync AppLink to this dynamic region, and we’re excited to kick things off with three fantastic apps,” Pleet said.
“With these apps, we’re able to show off some of the capabilities that AppLink customers will be able to enjoy – and this is just the beginning.”
Ford owners with Sync AppLink-enabled vehicles in North America currently have access to 40 apps including Spotify and Mog music services, Glympse and Scout navigation systems, Major League Baseball data and live streaming, and USA Today and Wall Street Journal news services.
Ford Australia is yet to confirm timing for the introduction of AppLink and which models will be the first to benefit.
Over time, the technology will find its way into Ford Australia’s range of Sync-equipped vehicles, which currently includes the Focus and Kuga, and is set to expand to the Fiesta, Mondeo and EcoSport over the coming months, and likely the updated 2014 Falcon and Territory ranges.
