Ford to Offer In-Vehicle Voice Control of Select iPhone Apps

Ford today announced that early next year it will debut its SYNC AppLink voice control integration for select iPhone applications, allowing users to easily control their devices without needing to take their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. Launching today for 2011 Ford Fiesta owners using BlackBerry and Android devices, iPhone compatibility is set for an early 2011 launch. Additional new car models will also be gaining compatibility in the coming months.

More and more drivers are using their devices and their apps while in the car, said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services. With AppLink, SYNC is a smarter solution for these drivers who choose to use these apps while driving making it the only connectivity system available that can extend app functionality to the car using both voice and steering wheel controls.

Ford is also announcing a surprise new member to the AppLink family: the Apple iPhone. The popular smartphone makes for a powerful addition, and will be joining Android and BlackBerry smartphones as compatible devices with the software that allows apps to be controlled through the SYNC voice recognition system a smarter alternative to manually controlling apps while driving.

The only iPhone applications currently announced as preparing for AppLink capability early next year are Pandora Radio and Stitcher Radio, although Ford has promised that more applications are coming soon.