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NEWS
Ford announces AppLink roll-out in Asia/Pacific
Pandora, TuneIn Radio and Kaliki available for blue oval's AppLink facility in SYNCFord has formally launched AppLink in the Asia/Pacific region. The long awaited announcement was delivered in Taiwan earlier this week by Ed Pleet, Ford's director of Connected Services outside the Americas.
“We’ve been looking forward to bringing Ford SYNC AppLink to this dynamic region, and we’re excited to kick things off with three fantastic apps,” Pleet was quoted saying in a press release.
“With these apps, we’re able to show off some of the capabilities that AppLink customers will be able to enjoy – and this is just the beginning.”
Pleet had visited Australia in August of last year to demonstrate the AppLink system, including integrated voice control of familiar smartphone apps that can be downloaded to cars fitted with SYNC, but the feature is only now reaching consumers. It makes Ford first to promote the innovative feature in the local market, but it has been beaten to the punch here by Holden, with that company's MyLink system already available in the Barina CDX with Siri voice control and apps like Pandora and Stitcher – all soon to be introduced to large-car consumers in the VF Commodore.
Ford is also offering Pandora, in addition to TuneIn Radio and Kaliki (for Android users). Furthermore Ford is working closely with app developers to integrate each supplier's respective app with the AppLink system through an open-source project set up by Ford.
“With the Ford Developer Program, we became the first automaker to launch an open program allowing software developers to directly interface with the vehicle. By bringing in support for Asia Pacific and Africa, and with the ongoing development of AppLink 2.0, we’re reaffirming our commitment to this idea,” said Pleet.
The project allows developers to tap into features that are an integral part of AppLink, such as Voice pass-through, Vehicle Data Access and In-vehicle notifications. Developers in Asia/Pacific and African markets can register with Ford through developer.ford.com and download a kit. Ford engineers will be on hand to assist developers with their apps, which are to be submitted to Ford for final validation before Ford will recommend their download to SYNC.
Of the current apps available, Pandora is described by Ford as a "free personalised internet radio" service, allowing users to select music or comedy sketch by artist, track title or genre. TuneIn Radio can patch through up to 70,000 AM, FM, HD and Internet radio stations from around the world. To date it has over 40 million active listeners each month. Kaliki is an Android-compatible app that provides news updates from major media outlets. Drivers can listen to each news item through the app.
Each new app developed for AppLink will find its way into Ford's AppLink Catalog – itself an app that drivers can use to find the new app for downloading.
“As we continue to introduce more new apps, the AppLink Catalog app will be a huge help for AppLink end users,” said Pleet. “And we think developers will love it, too, since it makes it easier for their apps to be found in the vast app ecosystem. It’s an example of how we’re working hard to be at the forefront of developing interactive technologies that enhance the driving experience in safe and smart ways.”
Ford Australia advises that AppLink is due here the first quarter of next year. At this stage the local arm is yet to decide which model will introduce the new technology, but it looks like being a toss-up between Focus and Fiesta.
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