02/27, 12:05pm
Sync coming to Europe in Ford B-Max first
Ford at MWC revealed it will debut its Sync in-car infotainment system in Europe on the upcoming B-Max minivan. The service will be available in nine languages, including UK English, EU French, EU Spanish, EU Portuguese, German, Italian, Turkish, Dutch, and Russian. At the same time, the carmaker introduced Sync AppLink globally, the system meant to allow drivers to operate their handsets using their voice.
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01/09, 6:20pm
App syncs with in-vehicle system
Ford has revamped its Sync connected features for 2012, bringing new features to the mobile apps and in-vehicle systems. The car maker has chosen a new mobile app, Scout, that will enable users to take advantage of turn-by-turn navigation based on Telenav's map databases.
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11/29, 12:00am
Ford Sync now takes Slacker voice commands
Ford's Sync system gained a new choice for AppLink direct control through Slacker. Those with updated versions of Slacker for iOS (App Store), Android Market), or BlackBerry (App World) can both stream radio from 3G or 4G to the car stereo system as well as use voice commands to start playback, skip, ban, or favorite tracks without touching the phone. Controls work both for online and for cached tracks.
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09/10, 5:50pm
Ford AppLink to get Spotify streaming
Ford has reached a deal with Spotify to integrate its Internet music streaming into AppLink. Drivers with Sync-equipped cars will have the option of controlling at least some parts of Spotify through the car's center stack and voice commands rather than having to use an iPhone or Android phone. The two haven't said when it will be ready.
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06/22, 7:50am
Ford SYNC AppLink gains momentum
Ford has added its SYNC AppLink connectivity technology to ten more vehicles in its range for the 2012 model year. Among the new models to get the technology include the Ford Fusion, Fiesta, F-150, Super Duty, Expedition, E-Series, Shelby GT500 and the Ford Mustang. The Microsoft-developed AppLink software connects smartphones with Ford’s SYNC in-vehicle information and entertainment system. It is designed to reduce driver distraction by allowing users to control their smartphone apps from the vehicle’s steering wheel controls and by voice commands.
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03/16, 6:30pm
Tesla Model S to get third-party app support
Tesla chief Elon Musk at the Cleantech Forum on Wednesday said the Tesla Model S would get third-party app support. He hoped developers would write car-specific apps for the 17-inch, Tegra-powered touchscreen system in the electric sedan. Text-to-speech was cited as a major example at the San Francisco meet as it would help cut down on driver distraction from reading text during a drive.
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12/22, 12:00am
Ford Sync AppLink ready for Android, BlackBerry
Ford tonight acted on a promised upgrade to Sync and launched AppLink. The framework lets third-party smartphone apps talk to and control Sync with only the app, not the car, having to know the tasks. An updated Pandora Radio can stream audio from its 3G connection to the car, give the dash display track ID, and support thumbs up or down through spoken controls; the Twitter client OpenBeak can feed updates and read them back with text-to-speech.
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