Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Amazon looking to bring Kindle to your next car?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/amazon-looking-to-bring-kindle-to-your-next-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/amazon-looking-to-bring-kindle-to-your-next-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/25/amazon-looking-to-bring-kindle-to-your-next-car/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kindle BuickMaybe so. The online retailer and digital media monolith recently announced the Amazon Cloud Player, an application for Ford Sync that allows users to stream media from their Amazon Cloud account directly to a Ford vehicle. This foray into automotive technology got the minds at Gigaom.com thinking about what could be next for Amazon. As Kevin Fitchard writes, the logical step is to make audio versions of your Kindle library selections available in your car. As he points out, Amazon has already laid the groundwork for such a move.

Amazon pulled the sheets back on Whispersync for Voice last year. The tech pairs ebooks with an Audible book for a small extra fee, allowing users to either read along with a narrator or switch between audio and text versions on command. Fitchard says it wouldn't be some great leap to apply the same principles to a car, where voice recognition software would allow users to pause or select chapters without ever taking their eyes off of the road.

It all sounds just fine to us, but Amazon hasn't said a thing about such a move. Still, we wouldn't be surprised to see the company come down this road in the near future just the same.

Amazon looking to bring Kindle to your next car? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonapplinkfordford syncford sync applinkkindleMon, 25 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20475083/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/25/amazon-looking-to-bring-kindle-to-your-next-car/20475083/article-detail.xml 20475083 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/kindle-buick-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/kindle-buick-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford and Glympse hook up to give Sync location-sharing technology]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/ford-and-glympse-hook-up-to-give-sync-location-sharing-technolog/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/ford-and-glympse-hook-up-to-give-sync-location-sharing-technolog/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/ford-and-glympse-hook-up-to-give-sync-location-sharing-technolog/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Among the numerous apps that Ford has added to its Sync AppLink system is the location-sharing service Glympse. After The app is installed on a smartphone and the phone is paired with the AppLink interface either through Bluetooth or USB, a driver just presses the Sync button on the steering wheel and says, "Send Glympse." With that, the vehicle's location is sent to the other parties he has enabled in the app.

Any 'Glympsers' can keep track of the vehicle on their own phones or on a map in a web brower and get updates via e-mail, text, Facebook and Twitter. There's a time-limit to 'glympsing' so that after a pre-set time the app will cease updating its location.

The app was introduced to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class last summer, but we won't be seeing Stuttgart's little hatch in our country for a while. The partnership with Ford gives US drivers a way to experience another OEM integration of what is sure to be our always-in-contact future. The press release below can tell you more about it.

Continue reading Ford and Glympse hook up to give Sync location-sharing technology

Ford and Glympse hook up to give Sync location-sharing technology originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 consumer electronics showandroidappapplinkcesces 2013fordglympseiossyncsync applinkMon, 07 Jan 2013 10:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20418598/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/07/ford-and-glympse-hook-up-to-give-sync-location-sharing-technolog/20418598/article-detail.xml 20418598 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/fordsyncglympse_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/fordsyncglympse.jpg <![CDATA[Sync Applink gets new NPR app, Destinations hands-on]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/20/sync-applink-gets-new-npr-app-destinations-hands-on/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/20/sync-applink-gets-new-npr-app-destinations-hands-on/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/20/sync-applink-gets-new-npr-app-destinations-hands-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ford Applink

Our friends at Engadget got up close and cozy with the new Ford Sync Applink interface at CES 2012. Ford has put plenty of time ironing out some of the wrinkles in the voice-command system, and the company's work has paid off. Sync Applink is designed to allow users to access certain applications on their compatible smartphones without ever having to take their hands from the wheel. It sounds nice in theory, but Ford has had its fair share of issues getting the technology to produce desired results. Judging by the quick video, that's a thing of the past.

Ford demonstrated how the revised system easily pulls up the new NPR app and how users can easily shuffle through the application's various features. The app even lets users chose any NPR station in the country. How's that for snazzy?

Click past the jump to see Applink do its thing.

Continue reading Sync Applink gets new NPR app, Destinations hands-on

Sync Applink gets new NPR app, Destinations hands-on originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applinkcesces 2012fordford applinksyncsync applinkFri, 20 Jan 2012 08:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20151207/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/20/sync-applink-gets-new-npr-app-destinations-hands-on/20151207/article-detail.xml 20151207 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/ford-applink-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/ford-applink-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford updates Sync Destinations with voice controls, better traffic data]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/ford-updates-sync-destinations-with-voice-controls-better-traff/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/ford-updates-sync-destinations-with-voice-controls-better-traff/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/ford-updates-sync-destinations-with-voice-controls-better-traff/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sync Destinations

Ford is extending its AppLink support to its own Sync Destinations app, finally providing voice control and including more accurate, real-time traffic and rerouting data thanks to its partnership with Inrix.

Surprisingly, you weren't able to access the app through voice commands before, but this latest version of Destinations allows the driver to access all the traffic, saved routes and direction services without having to tap their phone or touchscreen.

In addition to routing to saved destinations, users can send an address from their smartphone directly to the Sync system, get real-time traffic data with rerouting and report accidents, which helps increase the accuracy of Inrix's crowd-sourced traffic information.

The updated app for iPhones will be rolling out soon, but Android users will have to hold out for a few more months. Full details in the press blast and video below the fold.

Continue reading Ford updates Sync Destinations with voice controls, better traffic data

Ford updates Sync Destinations with voice controls, better traffic data originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applinkcesces 2012fordford destinationsTue, 10 Jan 2012 10:16:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20144615/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/10/ford-updates-sync-destinations-with-voice-controls-better-traff/20144615/article-detail.xml 20144615 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/inrix-sync-dest-2012_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/inrix-sync-dest-2012.jpg <![CDATA[Ford extending MAP text support to more models]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



In the sixth major software update to Ford's SYNC system, the automaker is extending Message Access Protocol (MAP) Bluetooth support to select 2011 and 2012 models, giving drivers the ability to have text messages and emails read aloud in their SYNC-equipped vehicles.

MAP Bluetooth support has been available on a number of Ford vehicles since its introduction this year, but the software update (G1 V3.2.2) extends the functionality to supported a number of bluetooth equipped smartphones to allow users to hear SMS, MMS and email messages over the stereo. The update is set to roll out later this month and you can get all the details in the press blast below the fold.

Continue reading Ford extending MAP text support to more models

Ford extending MAP text support to more models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applinkfordford syncmapmap supportsyncTue, 18 Oct 2011 00:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20083585/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/18/ford-extending-map-text-support-to-more-models/20083585/article-detail.xml 20083585 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/11edgemyfrdtouchdnd-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/11edgemyfrdtouchdnd-628.jpg <![CDATA[AppLink software for SYNC comes to Fiesta first, adds iPhone]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/applink-software-for-sync-comes-to-fiesta-first-adds-iphone/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sync AppLink

It's a good day for Ford Sync users. The Blue Oval has officially announced two big leaps forward for the company's infotainment system for smartphone users. For the first time, Apple users will find that their iPhone is now fully compatible with Sync. Previously, the system was only usable with devices that used RIM or Android operating systems. What's more, users can now control the applications on their smartphones using a hands-free, voice-operated system. So far, there are only a handful of apps that will gel with Sync voice activation, including Pandora internet radio, Stitcher news radio and OpenBeak (a Twitter client), though Ford says that there are more on the way.

The new and improved Sync will first show up in 14,000 Ford Fiesta models, though the free Sync application will eventually be equipped on every Sync-equipped Ford and Lincoln vehicle. Fiesta owners can get the ball rolling by logging into their Sync account online and pointing their browser toward the Update and Customize section of the site. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading AppLink software for SYNC comes to Fiesta first, adds iPhone

AppLink software for SYNC comes to Fiesta first, adds iPhone originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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