Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
MacBook Pro Updates
CarPlay Now Available in All 2017 Ford Vehicles Equipped With SYNC 3
Ford has announced that its SYNC 3 infotainment system, which includes CarPlay and Android Auto, is now available across its entire 2017 lineup of cars, SUVs, light trucks, and electric vehicles in the United States.
The expansion brings CarPlay to already-released 2017 models such as the Fusion, Mustang, and Explorer, while other models like the 2017 F-150, Focus, Edge, and Super Duty will arrive at U.S. dealerships later this year.
Ford confirmed in January that it would be adding CarPlay and Android Auto to all of its 2017 vehicles in North America equipped with BlackBerry's QNX-based SYNC 3 platform, starting with the 2017 Escape in May.
Ford has also added Spotify, Pandora, Ford PASS, AccuWeather, and AAA member services to SYNC AppLink.
In December, Ford retroactively added Siri Eyes Free support to 5 million 2011-2016 vehicles through a SYNC 3.8 software update. The automaker 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 is also adding CarPlay and Android Auto to its 2016 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 this year.
CarPlay brings Maps, Phone, Messages, Music, Podcasts, and a number of third-party apps, such as Spotify, to a vehicle's dashboard. Apple's in-car software platform can be controlled with Siri and your vehicle's built-in controls for convenient access to common iPhone features. It is compatible with iPhone 5 and later models.
CarPlay widely launched in the second half of 2015, and the rollout has extended to several large automakers this year, including Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep; BMW and Nissan; and Hyundai and Kia. CarPlay is now available in over 100 new 2016 and 2017 models, while two notable holdouts include Toyota and Mazda.
The expansion brings CarPlay to already-released 2017 models such as the Fusion, Mustang, and Explorer, while other models like the 2017 F-150, Focus, Edge, and Super Duty will arrive at U.S. dealerships later this year.
Ford confirmed in January that it would be adding CarPlay and Android Auto to all of its 2017 vehicles in North America equipped with BlackBerry's QNX-based SYNC 3 platform, starting with the 2017 Escape in May.
Ford has also added Spotify, Pandora, Ford PASS, AccuWeather, and AAA member services to SYNC AppLink.
In December, Ford retroactively added Siri Eyes Free support to 5 million 2011-2016 vehicles through a SYNC 3.8 software update. The automaker 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 is also adding CarPlay and Android Auto to its 2016 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 this year.
CarPlay brings Maps, Phone, Messages, Music, Podcasts, and a number of third-party apps, such as Spotify, to a vehicle's dashboard. Apple's in-car software platform can be controlled with Siri and your vehicle's built-in controls for convenient access to common iPhone features. It is compatible with iPhone 5 and later models.
CarPlay widely launched in the second half of 2015, and the rollout has extended to several large automakers this year, including Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep; BMW and Nissan; and Hyundai and Kia. CarPlay is now available in over 100 new 2016 and 2017 models, while two notable holdouts include Toyota and Mazda.
Related Roundup: CarPlay
[ 103 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
37 months ago
According to Fords Sync owners website the 2016 cars will require a hardware update, this was not what we were told when we bought the car. Reading the boards other ford owners had the same thing told to them and now are up in arms about it. I hope Ford clarifies as the sync website you log into says it is not just over the air.
37 months ago
Sooo... I have a 2016 Mustang with Sync 3 and would love to know when a CarPlay update is available for that as they promised...
37 months ago
This video is a great example of why Carplay is important. That built-in Ford interface looked like something from the 90s.
37 months ago
After using CarPlay on a couple of rental cars over the past couple of weeks I'm not impressed.
It's a very poor system and it also takes away a lot of functionality from the native car systems. You're also locked to the absolutely terrible Apple Maps which gives the most dreadful routes, and very often, Spotify or TuneIn refuse to work resulting in the need to disconnect and reconnect the USB cable.
Messages are also a chore as Siri sucks when there is any cabin noise in the car.
However most importantly, touch screen interfaces suck in cars. They are insanely dangerous when travelling at speed as they require you to change your driving posture and lean forward, removing a lot of control from the steering wheel.
Apple must do the following to make it a good option:
* FULL integration with the car
* Car computer (MPG, avg speed, etc...)
* Basic items where they are not visible on the dash such as outside temperature.
* Set-up of car systems.
* Service information
* Ability to use another GPS program such as Google Maps or Sygic, etc....
* Improve Siri when there is a lot of ambient noise
* Allow integration with physical dials.
One user noted how the BMW iDrive system was useless, but of all the systems I've used, this is the absolute best once you get used to the iDrive interface knob. I can control my system in seconds and dial numbers safely without looking away from my screen.
The interface is also miles better and more flexible than CarPlay too and I find it much safer to use.
Perhaps a personal view but every person I let try out the CarPlay in my two rental cars thought it was a pile of crap.
It's a very poor system and it also takes away a lot of functionality from the native car systems. You're also locked to the absolutely terrible Apple Maps which gives the most dreadful routes, and very often, Spotify or TuneIn refuse to work resulting in the need to disconnect and reconnect the USB cable.
Messages are also a chore as Siri sucks when there is any cabin noise in the car.
However most importantly, touch screen interfaces suck in cars. They are insanely dangerous when travelling at speed as they require you to change your driving posture and lean forward, removing a lot of control from the steering wheel.
Apple must do the following to make it a good option:
* FULL integration with the car
* Car computer (MPG, avg speed, etc...)
* Basic items where they are not visible on the dash such as outside temperature.
* Set-up of car systems.
* Service information
* Ability to use another GPS program such as Google Maps or Sygic, etc....
* Improve Siri when there is a lot of ambient noise
* Allow integration with physical dials.
One user noted how the BMW iDrive system was useless, but of all the systems I've used, this is the absolute best once you get used to the iDrive interface knob. I can control my system in seconds and dial numbers safely without looking away from my screen.
The interface is also miles better and more flexible than CarPlay too and I find it much safer to use.
Perhaps a personal view but every person I let try out the CarPlay in my two rental cars thought it was a pile of crap.
37 months ago
I hear people criticizing cars in general, but I still think they are amazing.
When I get in my car in the middle of a scorching summer day, when the sun has been shining directly onto the dash/electronic controls/screen for the past x hours and they are so hot they would burn your hands almost to touch them, or in the middle of winter, when it's below zero and almost frozen, you put they key in the ignition and all all just works, screen powers up, everything.
Think of an Apple product in the sun, gives up working.
Think it's amazing how cars and their equipment are so well made and designed to keep working no matter what is thrown at them.
When I get in my car in the middle of a scorching summer day, when the sun has been shining directly onto the dash/electronic controls/screen for the past x hours and they are so hot they would burn your hands almost to touch them, or in the middle of winter, when it's below zero and almost frozen, you put they key in the ignition and all all just works, screen powers up, everything.
Think of an Apple product in the sun, gives up working.
Think it's amazing how cars and their equipment are so well made and designed to keep working no matter what is thrown at them.
37 months ago
Nice. Was looking at purchasing a 2017 Ford Mustang GT. This will pair nicely with my iPhone 7 in the fall!
Too bad its not going to work with my 1967 Mustang.
37 months ago
Nice. Was looking at purchasing a 2017 Ford Mustang GT. This will pair nicely with my iPhone 7 in the fall!
37 months ago
According to Fords Sync owners website the 2016 cars will require a hardware update, this was not what we were told when we bought the car. Reading the boards other ford owners had the same thing told to them and now are up in arms about it. I hope Ford clarifies as the sync website you log into says it is not just over the air.
Uuuuugggghhhh What could possible require a hardware update? It already runs a quad core CPU... I'm NOT happy about that
37 months ago
According to Fords Sync owners website the 2016 cars will require a hardware update, this was not what we were told when we bought the car. Reading the boards other ford owners had the same thing told to them and now are up in arms about it. I hope Ford clarifies as the sync website you log into says it is not just over the air.
Are you sure you have SYNC 3 and not SYNC 2 -- or "SYNC with My Ford Touch" ? Check your version of software on your car system. If it shows 3.8.x then it's a Gen 2 SYNC.
Here's the Wikipedia Link to SYNC 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MyFord_Touch
I believe a limited number of early 2016 models were offered with SYNC Gen 2 and not SYNC 3. This should have been explained to you when purchased the vehicle. :)
If you do indeed have a SYNC 3 system and Ford tells you that you still require some hardware upgrade then please update the thread ASAP.
Thanks!
37 months ago
great news! After years at failing at interface, glad they accepted reality.
Let's hope all car manufactures give options. BMW system was disappointing, and entunes is a complete joke
I bet neither system is worse than crappy Acura's dual screen interface. It's graphics look like from Atari games and the performance (lack of it) of the whole system is comparable to $20 Walmart Android phone running Froyo. At this is coming from the luxury company, even new Honda Accord and Civic have 10x better systems.
[ Read All Comments ]
Apple may have discontinued its solid gold Apple Watch Edition back in 2016, but that hasn't stopped some keen do-it-yourselfers from filling the void.
YouTube stars Casey Neistat and...
FileMaker 18 for macOS launched today, introducing a collection of feature enhancements like an improved user interface and a larger variety of security controls. FileMaker, Inc. is one of...
Apple today previewed a new Safari feature called Privacy Preserving Ad Click Attribution that it says will allow advertisers to measure the effectiveness of their ad campaigns on the web without...
Popular PC game League of Legends is on its way to mobile devices, according to three sources with knowledge of plans for the game who spoke with Reuters. The smartphone version of the game is being...
Nintendo today kicked off the beta for its mobile game Mario Kart Tour, limited to Android in Japan and the United States. Thanks to players starting to get their hands on the game, we now have a...
Mobile network EE has announced it will launch 5G in the United Kingdom on May 30, beating rival Vodafone's 5G offering which launches in early July.
At a London press event this morning,...
Valve has released a new free standalone Steam Chat app for iOS and Android that brings several of the desktop Steam chat client's features to mobile.
Steam users can now use their...
As of today, transit users in the Portland-Vancouver area are able to use their iPhones and Apple Watches to ride the TriMet, C-Tran, and Portland Streetcar, according to the Portland Tribune.
A...
