Ford’s Australian Focus ST, Fiesta ST and Kuga range of cars (and more to come in 2015) has officially launched with Sync Applink in Australia, letting drivers use steering wheel mounted buttons and voice control to access compatible smartphone phones.
Ford’s Sync Applink connected driving experience has arrived on select Ford cars in Australia, with the rest of the Fiesta, Focus, EcoSport, Ranger and Transit range to get the capability by early 2015.
When an iOS or Android smartphone is connected to SYNC, users can activate compatible mobile apps by pressing the voice button and simply saying the name of the app. Once the app is open, control is passed to steering wheel mounted buttons and SYNC’s voice control with app information displayed on SYNC’s centre display screen.
“Applink gives drivers voice control over their favourite smartphone apps whilst keeping their hand on the wheel and eyes on the road,” said Adrian McGibbon, Supervisor, Multimedia Systems, Ford Asia Pacific.
“AppLink is the next stage of digital device integration and is a great addition to Ford’s SYNC platform.”
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Ford cars with Sync Applink will give drivers access to some of the world’s most popular internet services and ground-breaking infotainment technology through simple voice commands, including Club Connect, Pandora Internet Radio, Omny, Spotify, Glympse, Fairfax and ESPN CricInfo.
Rick Gleave of Pandora ANZ said: “Pandora is proud to be a launch partner for SYNC Applink in Australia, allowing customers access to their favourite Pandora stations whilst keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”
Club Connect is a suite of apps that utilises both a smartphone, and the head unit in the vehicle, providing drivers with access to assistance services and information such, as local parking or fuel stations, to help them on their journey.
“The Australian Automobile Clubs are excited to offer Ford drivers value added services through an app integrating with their vehicle through Ford Sync Applink.” said Michael Reed, CEO, Australian Motoring Services.
?The Club Connect App has been designed and developed here in Australia and provides the driver access to information such as fuel station locations and fuel prices, car parking locations and pricing, time-to-destination information via the Here2There app, access to Roadside Assistance at the press of a button, and driver log information where journey’s can be recorded for Fringe Benefits tax reporting.
“The Club Connect App allows access to a suite of powerful driving applications. The apps have utility outside the car, but the Ford SYNC Applink voice command interface extends access to motorists on the road.” said Adam Game, CEO, Intelematics.
Services are delivered through two channels: a smartphone application where customers can pre-load destinations and select their Auto Club depending on the state in which they live, as well as via the head unit in the vehicle, utilising Ford SYNC voice control.
Omny, which was developed in Australia, is a uniquely personalised radio app available for iPhone.
It acts like a radio station where you call the shots allowing you to combine podcasts, radio shows, music and personal updates into your own radio station. Drivers can choose and play any of their personalised stations, listen to the latest weather and email updates read aloud and hear any of their favourite radio shows and podcasts by simply speaking the name.
“As an Australian start-up, we are proud to have Omny available to our customers using SYNC AppLink from launch,” said Long Zheng, Head of Product at 121cast.
“We are enthusiastic about developing an innovative radio experience and many of Omny’s users currently listen in the car. SYNC AppLink makes it easier for Omny users to access the app while driving.”
