The Ford Motor Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) have both announced that they will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into their vehicles. This allows users to access many of their smartphone functions through the dashboard integrated touchscreen.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be offered in all 2017 Ford vehicles fit with SYNC 3, while owners of 2016 model year Ford vehicles will be able to add both systems retroactively at the end of the year.
Another new addition to SYNC 3 is 4G LTE, which will give owners remote access to their vehicles to setup things like remote start or to check in on fuel status. The 2017 Escape will be the first Ford vehicle with the updated SYNC 3 system.
FCA is gearing up to show the fourth generation of its Uconnect system at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, which will include both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The company didn’t offer a specific timeline, simply saying that in 2016 “select others within the global portfolio will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.”
A concept version of FCA’s updated Uconnect system will also be shown off this week, including features like predictive technology, which aims to learn the driver’s habits and to cater their driving experience to their likes and dislikes.