apple car | Lamarque Ford

Ford is expanding its SYNC® connectivity system, adding Apple CarPlay, Android Auto™, 4G LTE and several new AppLink™ apps to help millions of consumers stay connected behind the wheel and even when they are away from their cars.

“SYNC allows customers to bring the smartphone technology they’re comfortable with into a vehicle and use it without hassle,” said Don Butler, Ford executive director, Connected Vehicle and Services. “With SYNC, we move at our customers’ pace – making it easy for them to maintain a connected lifestyle no matter their choice of smartphone, apps or services inside and outside their vehicle.”

With more than 15 million SYNC-equipped vehicles on roads around the world today and 43 million expected by 2020, Ford’s industry-leading communications and entertainment technology is offering customers even more connectivity. Connectivity is one part of Ford Smart Mobility, the plan to take the company to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics.

Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay is compatible with iPhone 5 and later models. It works by plugging in the iPhone via USB, then the CarPlay interface appears on the touch screen. Apple CarPlay features Siri voice control, and seamlessly integrates an iPhone with the car’s built-in display and controls.

The integration makes it easy to make phone calls, access music, send and receive messages, get directions optimized for traffic conditions and other features – all while keeping your eyes on the road.

Android Auto
Users of Android devices 5.0 and higher can bring their smartphone experience into their vehicle safely and easily. Convenient information, including Google Maps, Google Play Music and apps are projected onto the SYNC screen, offering seamless integration of the smartphone into the car. Google voice search answers any questions customers may have also while on the road.

SYNC: Nearly a decade of connectivity leadership
Ford SYNC is the world’s leading in-car entertainment and communications system, with more than 15 million vehicles on the road worldwide.

Launched in 2007, Ford SYNC was the industry’s first system to widely and most affordably offer voice-activated technology to control smartphones. The latest-generation system – SYNC 3 – features all-new hardware and software for faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, a smartphone-like touch screen, and easier-to-understand graphical interface for a growing number of Ford vehicles in North America.

In recent weeks, there’s been a lot of buzz about Apple building a vehicle to rival efforts from other tech companies already in the race. However, given the amount of rumors always surrounding Apple, we remain skeptical.

According to Bloomberg News report, Apple has a team of over 200 employees working in a car project and it has snatched top-level executives from Ford and Mercedes. The same sources say Apple is aiming at 2020 for a release date.

But is Apple actually working on a car? Or is it trying to develop new technology for the dashboard? What we know is that when/if Apple enters a new industry, it changes the playing field. Apple already offers an in-car infotainment system called CarPlay, which takes over the onboard screen and displays the familiar iOS interface, with access to Siri, Maps, Phone, Messages and Music through your iPhone. Apple is all about the user experience, and if the company feels the current solutions are not good enough, they will do something about it.

Although the company has deep pockets (an estimated $178 billion cash-on-hand), the intricacy of the vehicle production system and supply chain still amount for what makes car companies great today. For the last 100 years, major improvements in the auto industry have been on the production side, and each time a manufacturer makes big strides on this front, they attain an unprecedented level of success. Ford started early in the 1900 with innovations in the assembly line, then GM in the 80’s and Toyota in the 90’s.

Apple is also known for its flawless management of the supply chain and production, so we can expect advancements on this front.

So do you think Apple is actually building a car? All we have to say is that when they first introduced the iPhone, no one thought they could do it.

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

Smart Phone + Smart Car = GENIUS ALERT

Is Apple Building A Car? | Lamarque Ford| New Orleans