Ford has announced it is adding CarPlay and Android Auto to all 2017 vehicles in North America equipped with BlackBerry's QNX-based SYNC 3 platform, starting with the new Ford Escape. CarPlay and Android Auto will also be available in 2016 vehicles with SYNC 3 as an upgrade later this year.
Ford is also adding new SYNC AppLink apps for AAA/CAA member services, Concur expense report tracking, Eventseeker for nearby events and Cityseeker for nearby restaurants. New 4G LTE SYNC Connect technology will allow drivers to remote start, unlock doors, check fuel levels or locate a parked vehicle via their smartphone.
In December, Ford retroactively added Siri Eyes Free support to 5 million 2011-2016 vehicles through a SYNC 3.8 software update. The U.S. says more than 15 million SYNC-equipped vehicles are on the road worldwide today, although that figure likely includes older SYNC platforms incompatible with CarPlay and Android Auto.
Ford has been added to our list of 2016 U.S. CarPlay vehicles and CarPlay roundup.
Top Rated Comments
The functionality is great, but forcing me to extend my arm to find a touch target while navigating traffic is not easy to do. Better solution: integrate with the various selector pads (like the big BMW joystick/wheel or the Mercedes touch pad) combined with tactile feedback when you hover over one of the icons would be much better.
Another problem with the interface is bad usage of the screen. The initial array of icons can't be rearranged, forcing me to keep app icons on the home screen I don't want, and relegating a couple of my favorites to a second screen.
Once you enter an app, the only interface option for selecting content is a scrolling list, which can only show three or four items. Instead of a scrolling list, I'd really prefer a grid of icons for the content, which could show many more choices on the screen. At least fifty year old AM radios gave you a row of five or six presets — only one click needed!