Future Ford cars to balance MyFord Touch with old-fashioned buttons

Ford to balance MyFord Touch with oldfashioned knobs in future cars

While Ford's MyFord Touch is a popular option for tech-savvy drivers, it's not always the most intuitive -- some complain that basic tasks, like radio tuning, are relatively awkward. The company is very aware of the feedback, as it's now supplementing the touch controls with "traditional" buttons and knobs. Both the latest F-150 and future vehicles will reflect the hybrid approach. Ford is still giving touchscreens some love with a MyFord Touch update due this summer, but it's clear that the company will keep one foot in the analog world for a while longer.

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Via: SlashGear

Source: Ford

Amazon Cloud Player iOS update enables Ford Sync AppLink support

Select Ford owners with Android phones have been rockin' out with Amazon Cloud Player and their in-dash Sync systems for the better part of three months. Now, iPhone and iPod touch users are invited to join in on the fun. The latest version of Amazon's app for iOS, 2.1.0, enables wireless streaming and control with Ford's AppLink platform. The service joins a handful of competitors, including Spotify, which announced its own compatible app in late February. The refreshed iOS app also brings playlist and VoiceOver updates, so even if you don't drive a Ford, it might be worth the download. You can snag it right now at the source link below.

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Via: 9to5Mac

Source: Amazon (iTunes)

Amazon MP3 adds Ford SYNC support for Android, makes you vocalize your bad taste

Amazon MP3 adds Ford SYNC support for Android, makes you vocalize your bad taste

If we're being honest, many of you probably won't care too much about the latest update to Amazon MP3 for Android. Why? Well, the big new feature is Ford SYNC support, and we're pretty sure that a majority of cars on the road aren't packing the in-dash infotainment system yet. But, it is still quite a popular feature in new Ford vehicles and there's definitely a healthy number of drivers out there eager to put their Amazon music collection just a voice command away while they toil away in rush hour traffic. Version 2.8 of the app also includes the requisite bug fixes and a tweaked store that displays more search results. But we know all you really care about is the ability to tell your car to "play Usher" without feeling judged. Time to celebrate.

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Source: Amazon (Google Play)

Ford opens AppLink developer program, wants more apps with in-car voice control

Ford opens AppLink developer program, wants more apps with incar voice control

Ford's SYNC AppLink technology for smartphone voice control while behind the wheel is currently only a feature of a handful of big-name apps. That may soon change, however, as here at CES, the motor company has announced a developer program to promote integration of its AppLink APIs into third-party software. Registration for the fledgling online community is open at the source link below, and interested devs will get access to an SDK, accompanying documents, and will qualify for technical guidance courtesy of Ford. As well as the dev program, a bunch of brand new and recent AppLink partnerships were reported with Chinese outfit Sina Weibo, WSJ, USA Today, Kaliki, Amazon Cloud Player, Aha Radio, Rhapsody, Greater Media, Glympse, and BeCouply. Hit up the PR below or head to the source for more information.

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Source: Ford

Glympse announces voice-controlled location-sharing app for Ford SYNC

DNP Embargo Glympse announces voicecontrolled locationsharing app for Ford sync

What's the point of hitting the road for glamorous destinations if you can't brag it up? To that end, Glympse is launching a new voice-activated location-sharing app that works with Ford SYNC-equipped vehicles. You'll need to install it on a compatible iOS or Android smartphone, then connect to your SYNC system via Bluetooth, provided you're one of the 5 million Ford drivers so equipped. From there, you'll be able to share your location with contacts by saying "send a Glympse," forewarning Grandma via Facebook or Twitter to put the pumpkin pie in the oven -- without needing to take your eyes off the road or make a call. Your contacts can even go online to see a moving map presentation of your Napa Valley wine tour while they're slaving in front of a screen -- so head sideways after the break for more info.

Continue reading Glympse announces voice-controlled location-sharing app for Ford SYNC

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Ford sells its 5-millionth vehicle with SYNC: that’s a lot of media-savvy cars

Ford MyTouch 2.0 hands-on

They grow up so fast, don't they? It was almost six years ago that we saw Ford SYNC step into the world, and the automaker has just handed the keys to the owner of the 5-millionth SYNC-capable vehicle. While we haven't been told what model had the distinction, the milestone represents another million SYNC cars, SUVs and trucks than we saw in May last year. The most striking aspect between then and now may just be the shift in focus (pun entirely intended) -- where we started off just happy to hook up our Zunes in a world of CD changers, we're only content today if we can control seemingly every mobile app known to humanity through a touchscreen. Ford might not want to look too fondly at its rear-view mirror, however, lest an abundance of technology-laden competition close in too quickly.

Continue reading Ford sells its 5-millionth vehicle with SYNC: that's a lot of media-savvy cars

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Ford sells its 5-millionth vehicle with SYNC: that's a lot of media-savvy cars originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 06:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Voice control comes to MOG’s music streaming service with Ford SYNC AppLink

Voice control comes to MOG's music streaming service with Ford SYNC AppLink

Good news for those who like music on-the-go, Ford had just added a new heavy hitter to its AppLink platform, and this time it comes from none other than MOG. The streaming service boasts a catalog of 15 million tracks, which is available to mobile devices for a monthly subscription fee of $9.99. With the Ford SYNC integration, users may access this vast library either through voice commands or in-dash controls, and as another nice touch, one's music queue will automatically resume from wherever they left off. Voice commands include "artist only" and "similar artists," along with "downloads" for situations when you aren't able to stream and "shuffle favorites." Finally, users may also create presets based on what's currently playing, simply by pressing and holding one of the in-dash preset buttons. This availability is solely for iOS users, but if you'd like to learn more, check the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Voice control comes to MOG's music streaming service with Ford SYNC AppLink

Voice control comes to MOG's music streaming service with Ford SYNC AppLink originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford says Sync is now in 4 million vehicles, takes a moment to talk up Focus Electric

Ford says Sync is now in 4 million vehicles, takes a moment to talk up Focus Electric

Since its debut in 2007, Ford and Microsoft's Sync infotainment system has made its way into several of the auto maker's models, including the 2012 Focus Electric. At this week's Future in Review tech conference, Ford announced that more than 4 million vehicles in the US have its entertainment platform on board. In addition to dropping that stat, the company talked up its new EV, which it says can charge in half the time it takes for the Nissan Leaf. Maybe Ford caught wind of Nissan's just-announced e-NV200 all-electric van and wanted to remind those in the market for an EV that a blue box isn't the only option.

Continue reading Ford says Sync is now in 4 million vehicles, takes a moment to talk up Focus Electric

Ford says Sync is now in 4 million vehicles, takes a moment to talk up Focus Electric originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 01:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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