Ford has led the automotive industry w/ their connected Sync infotainment system for several years now. Unfortunately, the rest of the industry has already caught up & some might say surpassed them. Ford enters CES w/ some awesome news that should help them play catch up.
They’re finally bringing Android Auto & CarPlay to its Sync 3 system – for all 2017 models. They are taking the route all automakers should: by providing access to both instead of choosing a platform. Those of you who own 2016 models won’t get left out in the cold either. You’ll be able to upgrade later this year. The 2017 Ford Escape will be the 1st model to offer them as it goes on sale later this spring.
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Also, the new Escape will be the 1st vehicle to get Ford’s Sync Connect System. This brings the power of LTE to your car. Other vehicles w/ Sync 3 will get the LTE option later this year.
There are new additions to Ford’s App Link platform w/ AAA & Concur. With AAA, you’ll be able to use your vehicle’s GPS data to see the best gas prices as well as gas stations nearby, traffic, and route planning for AAA members in the US & Canada. With Concur, you’ll be able to log the vehicle’s mileage for business expensing.
And lastly, you’ll be able to remotely start your car, unlock its doors, see its parking location, and gas levels w/ the newly-announced Sync Connect app. You’ll be able to monitor & execute all of this from your smartphone. With all of these announcements, it definitely seems like Ford will be catching up by the end of the year. Good job.
