Ford Launches Voice Control of Apps in Car: No More Phone-Fiddling While Driving?
Ford, which has been trying to fast-forward its automobiles in the digital space, announced today that its 2011 Fiesta model will be the first vehicle in which smart phone apps can be voice-controlled via its in-car syncing software.
One issue: Ford’s SYNC AppLink, downloadable as an upgrade, will only work with Google (GOOG) Android and Research in Motion (RIMM) BlackBerry devices at first.
As to the more popular iPhone from Apple (AAPL)?
“Ford will introduce AppLink on all SYNC-equipped vehicles next year, as well as provide interoperability with iPhone and other smartphones,” the auto company said in a statement.
Still, anything that stops dodos from fiddling with a smart phone while driving can’t be bad.
Ford has been mightily trying to differentiate itself via digitizing its cars.
In December, Ford said would make the next generation of its SYNC-enabled vehicles into Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing you to connect to the Internet everywhere much more seamlessly in a moving car.
Pandora internet radio, online radio aggregator Stitcher and mobile Twitter client OpenBeak are the first SYNC-enabled mobile applications.
Ford also said it is launching a developers’ network to boost the number of apps that will be able to be used in SYNC-enabled cars.
(http://kara.allthingsd.com/20100420/ford-launches-voice-control-of-apps-in-car-no-more-phone-fiddling-while-driving/?reflink=ATD_yahoo_ticker)
One issue: Ford’s SYNC AppLink, downloadable as an upgrade, will only work with Google (GOOG) Android and Research in Motion (RIMM) BlackBerry devices at first.
As to the more popular iPhone from Apple (AAPL)?
“Ford will introduce AppLink on all SYNC-equipped vehicles next year, as well as provide interoperability with iPhone and other smartphones,” the auto company said in a statement.
Still, anything that stops dodos from fiddling with a smart phone while driving can’t be bad.
Ford has been mightily trying to differentiate itself via digitizing its cars.
In December, Ford said would make the next generation of its SYNC-enabled vehicles into Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing you to connect to the Internet everywhere much more seamlessly in a moving car.
Pandora internet radio, online radio aggregator Stitcher and mobile Twitter client OpenBeak are the first SYNC-enabled mobile applications.
Ford also said it is launching a developers’ network to boost the number of apps that will be able to be used in SYNC-enabled cars.
(http://kara.allthingsd.com/20100420/ford-launches-voice-control-of-apps-in-car-no-more-phone-fiddling-while-driving/?reflink=ATD_yahoo_ticker)
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