Thanks to Ford and Domino’s unholy union of utility, gluttony, and good old fashioned American engineering, your next car could come with a built-in pizza ordering app. Are those tears running down Lady Libety’s face you see? Nope—just meat sweats.
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Ford was quick to embrace in-car mobile app integration through its AppLink technology, but it wants a true industry standard to boost adoption. The company is tackling this problem this today by acquiring Livio, best-known for its Livio Connect in-car app gateway. Valued at under $10 million, the buyout will help Ford create a single app interface that any automaker could use. Mobile developers would only have to support one format to reach many infotainment units — as long as Ford’s rivals are willing to set aside their own platforms, of course. In the meantime, Ford is being cautious. It intends to keep Livio as a separate brand that will serve GM and other existing customers for the foreseeable future.
Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation, Mobile
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.
Via: 9to5Mac
Source: Amazon (iTunes)
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, WSJ, USA Today, Kaliki, Amazon Cloud Player, Aha Radio (pictured above), Rhapsody, Greater Media, Glympse, and BeCouply. Hit up the PR below or head to the source for more information.
Continue reading Ford opens AppLink developer program, wants more apps with in-car voice control
Filed under: Transportation, Software
Source: Ford
We’re sure that there are many of you guys out there who are easily affected by airborne allergens, such as pollen and whatnot that can bring about a pretty bad bout of sneezing. Looking to help alert users of potential airborne allergens is none other than Ford, who has recently updated their Sync system with a feature called AppLink. This allows users to run apps on their smartphones, such as Allergy Alert, while controlling it with their voice. Allergy warnings picked up by the app will then be display on your car’s display so you can keep an eye out for allergens as you drive. So if you spot something that you know you’re highly allergic to, then you can be better prepared by either turning around or getting your medication ready. It also seems that Allergy Alert has the ability to warn users of the current flu index and UV index which should give drivers an indication of how much sunscreen they should be applying. Pretty cool stuff, huh?
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Ford and State Farm team up to drivers’ mileage to offer drivers discounted insurance premiums, Ford SYNC owners access tablets with voice,
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