Every year, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (the largest technology trade conference in the world) just precedes the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (one of the world’s biggest events in the automotive world every year) by a few days. This year, while CES 2017 packed it in yesterday, the press days for NAIAS 2017 start this morning — making this two week stretch massively important to car companies.
While automakers trot out their latest models and near-future concept cars at NAIAS 2017, they put CES 2017 to work displaying their latest technology. For Ford, that new tech was all about enhancing the in-car experience.
Also: CES 2017: Ford, Toyota Talk about Getting Cars Talking
In a marriage of two business megaliths, Ford and Amazon will meet with in-car Alexa capability through Ford’s SYNC 3 AppLink technology. Ford drivers will be able to play and resume audiobooks, order items on Amazon, search for and transfer local destinations to the in-car navigation system, etc., all via Amazon’s Alexa voice recognition system. Meanwhile, the SYNC system now adds a WiFi Hotspot. The new network will provide 4G LTE Wi-Fi service powered by AT&T, allows up to 10 devices to connect.
Ford will make its SYNC AppLink open to new innovation with the: Ford SYNC AppLink Developer Program. Outside designers will be able to parter with Ford to work on mobile navigation, wearables, digital assistants and other programs with new partners.
All of the above is headed to 2017 Ford vehicles and will also be on full display on the floor of NAIAS 2017 in Michigan.
