Ford to Introduce Wireless CarPlay in Select 2020 Vehicles With SYNC 4

Wednesday October 30, 2019 9:01 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Ford today previewed its new SYNC 4 infotainment system, including support for wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. The new SYNC 4 system will be available on select Ford vehicles starting in 2020.

CarPlay on SYNC 3

The wireless solution works over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing an iPhone to be connected to the CarPlay system without using a Lightning to USB cable. Ford joins BMW in offering wireless CarPlay, while brands like Alpine, Kenwood, JVC, and Pioneer also offer aftermarket receivers with wireless CarPlay.

CarPlay‌ is Apple's in-car platform that enables iPhone users to access a range of apps from the dashboard, such as Messages, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Pandora, WhatsApp, and Downcast. Since iOS 12, third-party navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze are also supported.

SYNC 4 will also be capable of receiving over-the-air software updates.

Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tags: Android Auto, Ford, Ford SYNC
[ 92 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
HiVolt
3 weeks ago


Is Ford still relevant anymore?


Just look at the pickup truck sales. In North America, they're very much relevant.

As for Wireles Car Play, why has it taken so long? Hasn't the feature been a part of iOS 9 and higher?
Rating: 11 Votes
Avatar
fmcshan
3 weeks ago
The CarPlay overhaul in iOS 13 has to be one of my favorite new features—it’s great!
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
thejadedmonkey
3 weeks ago
Is Ford still relevant anymore?
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
yanksfan114
3 weeks ago
Nice, hopefully more makers start adding it soon so BMW looks even more money grubbing for charging for CarPlay. Insane their argument came down to it being wireless.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
citysnaps
3 weeks ago


Is Ford still relevant anymore?


Ford sells more F150 trucks than any other manufacturer's vehicles.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
Joniz
3 weeks ago

SYNC 4 will also be capable of receiving over-the-air software updates ('https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2019/10/30/quick-seamless-over-the-air-software-updates-keep-vehicle-tech-current.html').


…so you can brick your vehicle like a HomePod.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
vertical smile
3 weeks ago


Is Ford still relevant anymore?

Ford is one of the biggest brands on American roads, and have been #1 in truck sales for the past few decades.

I would say they are still very relevant.

Personally, other than trucks I wouldn't buy an USD brand. If I did, it would most likely be a ford. The other ones are a mess.

Another thought, Ford has been one of the best brands when it comes to implementing CarPlay support, especially when it comes to retrofitting older models.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
timber
3 weeks ago
Ford doesn't do cars but they do carplay :D
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
ersan191
3 weeks ago
I put an iLX-107 in my car for wireless CarPlay and it is probably one of the best purchases I've ever made. The thing works flawlessly every time and it's leagues better than wired. I thought it would kill my battery but on modern iPhones they must have a lot of hardware encoding and power saving stuff in the WiFi chip so it doesn't affect it hardly at all.

The only thing I wish it could do is at least BT songs from my Watch since I don't always drive with my phone. No BT audio support though, maybe the Pioneer does but it's not compatible with my in car systems (and it looks ugly tbh).

Also a brake bypass is absolutely necessary.
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
rdinterman
3 weeks ago


I put an iLX-107 in my car for wireless CarPlay and it is probably one of the best purchases I've ever made. The thing works flawlessly every time and it's leagues better than wired. I thought it would kill my battery but on modern iPhones they must have a lot of hardware encoding and power saving stuff in the WiFi chip so it doesn't affect it hardly at all.

The only thing I wish it could do is at least BT songs from my Watch since I don't always drive with my phone. No BT audio support though, maybe the Pioneer does but it's not compatible with my in car systems (and it looks ugly tbh).

I have the iLX-107 also, works nearly flawlessly wirelessly.
Rating: 2 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]