VIDEO: Ford and Microsoft Announce SYNC AppLink, Your Smartphone Will be Assimilated

Ford has been riding a wave of good news lately, and part of that is thanks to the warm reception of its SYNC integrated infotainment system co-developed with Microsoft. However, SYNC isn’t without its shortcomings, chief among them the fact that while you can plug a smartphone into the system and run some apps, you can’t do so hands-free. That’s set to change, however, with the introduction of the 2011 Fiesta later this year.

Called SYNC AppLink, the program will allow Blackberry– and Android-powered smartphone owners (iPhone users will have to hurry up and wait.) to control certain apps via SYNC’s voice recognition system. Users will have to install SYNC compatibility software on their phones and, initially at least, only three apps that will be supported: Pandora, Stitcher, and Orangatame’s OpenBeak Twitter program. Loads more apps will likely become compatible as time passes, thanks to the developer channel Ford has set up.

Already have a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury with regular SYNC? Fear not, as AppLink will be available as a downloadable patch next year. And as far as we’re concerned, anything that lets people enjoy technology on the go while letting them keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road is a very good thing. Check out the trio of demonstration videos below.

Source: Ford