Ford, a long time advocator of “car digitalization”, announced today that its 2011 Fiesta model will be the first vehicle in which smart phone apps can be voice-controlled via its in-car syncing software. The new SYNC AppLink software will allow hands-free voice control of popular smartphone apps.
The software is limited to Google Android and RIM Blackberry for now. Later Ford will introduce AppLink on all SYNC-equipped vehicles next year, as well as provide interoperability with iPhone and other smartphones
Pandora internet radio, online radio/podcast aggregator Stitcher and mobile Twitter client OpenBeak are the first SYNC-enabled mobile applications.
Ford also creates SYNC developer community with launch of new “Mobile Application Developer Network” (www.syncmyride.com/developerper), giving developers a pathway to partner with Ford on SYNC-enabled applications
Here’s some videos showing the system in use:
