This press release from Ford caught my eye today as next week is when the Consumer Electronics show starts and this sort of press release typically hits the streets then. Ford will offer SYNC AppLink as a free upgrade this year to owners who have model year 2010 and newer vehicles:
Since its launch in 2010, Ford has migrated SYNC AppLink to more products and customers around the world, enabling vehicle owners to access and control smartphone apps including TuneIn, NPR and iHeartRadio via voice command. More than 1-million vehicles equipped with SYNC AppLink are on the road today, and another 3.4 million vehicles – model year 2010 and newer – will be eligible to download AppLink later this year.
Currently, SYNC AppLink allows users to seamlessly control over 60 smartphone mobile apps – on both iOS and Android platforms – using the car’s voice commands, enabling drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Ford is the first automaker to offer an open developer program, www.developer.ford.com , to help keep customers connected inside the vehicle and will continue to add new SYNC-enabled smartphone apps to enhance the driving experience.
There was one other thing that this press release mentioned. Ford named industry veteran Don Butler to lead Ford’s strategy for developing a fully integrated and connected car experience:
Leading the newly aligned organization is automotive and telematics industry veteran Don Butler, who brings a wealth of experience. Butler will report to Nair, with matrix reporting to Farley and Nick Smither, group vice president and chief information officer. Butler was most recently vice president, Global Strategy for Cadillac at General Motors, where he also led strategy and business development for the company’s OnStar division. Butler also served as vice president for telematics startup INRIX.
“Not only does Don understand the connected car landscape, but probably just as important, he understands customer expectations,” said Nair. “Having a leader with technology experience both inside and outside the industry is a rare combination – we’re excited to have Don join our team.”
In the newly created position of executive director, Connected Vehicle and Services, Butler is responsible for Ford’s global integrated connectivity vision and strategy. He will lead development of a near-, mid- and long-term plan, with the goal of delivering a best-in-class customer experience both inside and outside of the vehicle.
As part of Ford’s plan to deliver a fully integrated connected car experience, the Connected Vehicle and Services group will work with the newly created Global Digital Marketing organization to help accelerate the goal of connecting customers to their vehicles.
“We remain laser-focused on creating connected experiences our customers want and value, providing solutions specifically tailored to their individual needs and to market conditions,” said Farley.
Infotainment systems are a determining factor for car buyers these days. Thus it is not a shock that Ford has decided to put a lot more focus into this part of the driving experience. Expect other car companies to do the same with the consumer being the ultimate winner.
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This entry was posted on January 3, 2014 at 1:05 pm and is filed under Commentary with tags Ford. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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Ford To Offer SYNC AppLink Upgrade To Current Owners For Free
This press release from Ford caught my eye today as next week is when the Consumer Electronics show starts and this sort of press release typically hits the streets then. Ford will offer SYNC AppLink as a free upgrade this year to owners who have model year 2010 and newer vehicles:
Since its launch in 2010, Ford has migrated SYNC AppLink to more products and customers around the world, enabling vehicle owners to access and control smartphone apps including TuneIn, NPR and iHeartRadio via voice command. More than 1-million vehicles equipped with SYNC AppLink are on the road today, and another 3.4 million vehicles – model year 2010 and newer – will be eligible to download AppLink later this year.
Currently, SYNC AppLink allows users to seamlessly control over 60 smartphone mobile apps – on both iOS and Android platforms – using the car’s voice commands, enabling drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Ford is the first automaker to offer an open developer program, www.developer.ford.com , to help keep customers connected inside the vehicle and will continue to add new SYNC-enabled smartphone apps to enhance the driving experience.
There was one other thing that this press release mentioned. Ford named industry veteran Don Butler to lead Ford’s strategy for developing a fully integrated and connected car experience:
Leading the newly aligned organization is automotive and telematics industry veteran Don Butler, who brings a wealth of experience. Butler will report to Nair, with matrix reporting to Farley and Nick Smither, group vice president and chief information officer. Butler was most recently vice president, Global Strategy for Cadillac at General Motors, where he also led strategy and business development for the company’s OnStar division. Butler also served as vice president for telematics startup INRIX.
“Not only does Don understand the connected car landscape, but probably just as important, he understands customer expectations,” said Nair. “Having a leader with technology experience both inside and outside the industry is a rare combination – we’re excited to have Don join our team.”
In the newly created position of executive director, Connected Vehicle and Services, Butler is responsible for Ford’s global integrated connectivity vision and strategy. He will lead development of a near-, mid- and long-term plan, with the goal of delivering a best-in-class customer experience both inside and outside of the vehicle.
As part of Ford’s plan to deliver a fully integrated connected car experience, the Connected Vehicle and Services group will work with the newly created Global Digital Marketing organization to help accelerate the goal of connecting customers to their vehicles.
“We remain laser-focused on creating connected experiences our customers want and value, providing solutions specifically tailored to their individual needs and to market conditions,” said Farley.
Infotainment systems are a determining factor for car buyers these days. Thus it is not a shock that Ford has decided to put a lot more focus into this part of the driving experience. Expect other car companies to do the same with the consumer being the ultimate winner.
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This entry was posted on January 3, 2014 at 1:05 pm and is filed under Commentary with tags Ford. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.