Ford showcases Sync App Link

At the ongoing Mobile Developer Summit 2013 in Bangalore, Ford announced that by next year the company will be launching SYNC AppLink in India which uses voice control technology for smartphone apps; thus providing Ford vehicle owners with the convenience to access content and information while on-the-go. The Ford EcoSport already comes equipped with this SYNC technology.

SYNC AppLink allows greater communication between smartphone apps and AppLink-equipped vehicles through voice commands and customers can control applications on their smartphones from the driver's seat using voice controls through the SYNC voice activated connectivity system.

Ford will introduce both global and Indian apps from ESPNcricinfo, MapmyIndia, burrp!, Glympse, TuneIn Radio on SYNC AppLink platform in India. In fact, Ford is also encouraging app developers to come up and add new applications. Undertaken through its Global Developer Program, the American Company is inviting software developers to create voice-activated mobile app experiences for their vehicles. The information to learn about the AppLink application programming interface (API) will be available on the Developer Program website, http://developer.ford.com.

Once submitted to Ford, an app is thoroughly tested and reviewed for usability and suitability for the AppLink-enabled vehicles. After Ford works out a distribution license with the developer, the app can be released to customers. Developers working with SYNC AppLink will be able to create apps across a wide spectrum of categories and all these applications will be available for the Ford customers.