• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Tech

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto Coming to All New Ford Vehicles

By
Kirsten Korosec
Kirsten Korosec
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Kirsten Korosec
Kirsten Korosec
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 25, 2016, 2:01 PM ET
SYNC 3 plus Apple CarPlay
All 2017 model-year Ford cars, SUVs, light trucks and electrified vehicles to offer available SYNC® 3 voice-activated communications and entertainment system with popular smartphone integrationsCourtesy of Ford

Ford says all of its 2017 model-year cars, trucks, and SUVS will come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two rival software services that let the driver or passengers bring the functions of their smartphone into the vehicle’s central screen.

But Ford isn’t ditching its own entertainment and communications software to make room for Apple and Google. The automaker announced Monday that its entire 2017 model lineup will have Sync 3, the in-car infotainment and communication system it developed that lets users control features such as sending text messages and making music selections by voice or via the touchscreen. Apps such as Spotify, Pandora, AccuWeather and AAA member services have also been added.

The Sync system has been upgraded to accommodate CarPlay and Android Auto, software that lets the smartphone, and many of its apps, to take over a car’s digital display. Once users plug their smartphone into the car’s USB port, the phone’s maps, navigation, and other apps appear on the car’s central screen. Apple CarPlay now works wirelessly.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

The Ford Escape, Fusion, Mustang, and Explorer are already available as 2017 models. Other vehicles such as F-150 truck, Focus, Edge and all-new 2017 Super Duty will arrive later this year, the company says.

Ford announced it will also start using over-the-air updates—a strategy popularized by Tesla (TSLA) for fixing bugs and adding new features—to ensure the latest technology is available in the cars. However, remote over-the-air software updates are still only in their infancy in the auto industry. Several automakers, notably Tesla, BMW, and Volkswagen (VLKAY), are already using over-the-air software updates to improve navigation maps and other features.

This is what’s next for Ford:

Infotainment systems developed by automakers are known for being clunky and difficult to use. But Ford has gotten some positive reviews for Sync 3, the most recent iteration of its in-car infotainment system. The company has also decided it can’t ignore Apple and Google’ in-car tech platform.

Ford has taken an all-of-the-above approach to infotainment software. It is adopting Apple and Google’s technology, and pushing its own SmartDeviceLink technology, an open source version of Ford AppLink that gives drivers command and control of smartphone apps through dashboard buttons, display screens, and voice recognition technology.

Earlier this year, Toyota, which has balked at adopting Apple and Google’s platforms, announced it would use Ford’s SmartDeviceLink software in its cars. Automotive suppliers QNX Software Systems and UIEvolution are adopting the technology for their products, Ford has said. And more automakers, including Honda, Mazda, PSA Peugeot Citroën, and Subaru, may follow.

Meanwhile, numerous automakers including GM, Hyundai and Mitsubishi have announced plans to offer adopt Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, or both.
About the Author
By Kirsten Korosec
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

Geoffrey Hinton standing in front of a white and grey background.
AITech
‘Godfather of AI’ says tech companies aren’t concerned with the AI endgame. They’re focused on short-term profits instead
By Sasha RogelbergMarch 21, 2026
33 minutes ago
MagazineCoding
Cursor’s crossroads: The rapid rise, and very uncertain future, of a $30 billion AI startup
By Allie GarfinkleMarch 21, 2026
41 minutes ago
war
CommentaryMiddle East
Companies are now on the front lines of war. They need to act like it
By Jeremy BashMarch 21, 2026
41 minutes ago
A woman looks frustrated a computer
AIWomen
Women are avoiding the very technology that threatens them most, as expert warns of a ‘two-tiered AI economy’ approaching
By Jacqueline MunisMarch 21, 2026
3 hours ago
AIFinance
Why Block’s COO is tracking ‘gross profit per employee’—and how AI is on track to double it to $2 million
By Sheryl EstradaMarch 21, 2026
4 hours ago
home for sale
AIChatGPT
A man let ChatGPT sell his home. It beat every agent’s estimate by $100K—and closed in 5 days
By Jake AngeloMarch 21, 2026
5 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.