Ford Adds SYNC AppLink to 10 Vehicles, Quadruples Connectivity Team, Grows App Developer Community

June 22

The award-winning Ford SYNC® AppLink™ software program is migrating to a new group of 2012 Ford vehicles, giving more vehicle owners the opportunity to enjoy intuitive voice control of and access to their smartphone apps on the go.

The 2012 Ford Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Fiesta, F-150, F-150 SVT Raptor, Super Duty, Expedition, E-Series and Shelby GT500 join the previously announced 2012 Ford Mustang as AppLink-equipped vehicles.

Plus, more mobile innovations are on the way, with additional Ford jobs planned for the company’s Connected Services Solutions Organization – and 2,500 independent developers already signaling they are interested in creating more apps for Ford through the company’s dedicated SYNC developer website.

“We understand more and more drivers are using their devices and their apps while in the car,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services Solutions. “Ford is a part of the solution, offering voice-activated options such as Ford SYNC with AppLink on a broader range of our products, which gives more customers a smarter way to access their apps while driving that keeps their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

The recently released J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study reports 86 percent of smartphone owners indicate they use their device while in their vehicles. A Nationwide Mutual Insurance 2010 study indicates more than one in four Americans who download smartphone apps admit to using those apps while driving.

Great expectations

Adding AppLink as a factory-installed, standard feature of SYNC on a wider range of vehicles, including F-Series, America’s best-selling vehicle for 29 years, puts Ford further out front in the race to integrate smartphone apps into the car, a feature vehicle owners are increasingly demanding.

Ford has great expectations for AppLink as it migrates to more products and more customers, especially Fusion and F-150 owners, already avid buyers of the SYNC system. Currently, more than 84 percent of 2011 Fusions sold are equipped with SYNC, with F-150 coming in at more than 76 percent for the optional in-car connectivity system.

VanDagens adds that the Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization, responsible for developing the company’s in-car connectivity services, is also on its own accelerated growth plan to stay in step with – if not a step ahead of – how the car connects with the latest and greatest in the mobile electronics industry.

During the next four years, the global Connected Services team will grow fourfold, with a threefold jump planned for U.S. operations alone.

“Ford is committed to building systems for the vehicle environment that leverage innovation and infrastructure and are robust to the changing consumer electronics technology landscape,” said VanDagens. “To do that safely, seamlessly and securely, we have to have dedicated people on our team who eat, sleep and breathe consumer electronics rarified air – technical experts who not only understand current technology but have a sense for where it is headed.”

Users speak out

In late 2010, Ford began offering AppLink as a download on www.syncmyride.com, available exclusively to 2011 Ford Fiesta owners for popular mobile apps, such as Pandora® internet radio, one of the top five most used apps across all four major smartphone platforms in the U.S. according to Nielsen.

These users will continue to have more to cheer about as additional SYNC-enabled apps go live, said Julius Marchwicki, Ford SYNC product manager.

Most recently, Stitcher officially joined the fold, launching its SYNC-enabled app in the Apple App Store for iPhone users. Android users are not far behind for Stitcher, with a SYNC-enabled version of the app set to launch later this summer.

“The flexibility of the SYNC platform and software-based solutions such as AppLink give Ford a powerful blend of in-car connectivity technologies that can easily adapt to our customers’ needs and what’s happening in the mobile electronics industry, including the exploding world of smartphone apps,” said Marchwicki. “To keep more of our customers connected, we will continue to add other SYNC-enabled apps, smartphone integrations and vehicles with factory-installed AppLink to our lineup.”

Ford has a direct connection to the app developer community through its dedicated SYNC developer website where the 2,500-plus submissions from app developers looking for the Ford Software Development Kit (SDK) were made. With the SDK, developers can modify an existing app or create an all-new app that can successfully interface with Ford SYNC through AppLink. Categories under Ford consideration include:

• Personalized entertainment
• Personalized information and news
• Location-based services including navigation, traffic and business searches
• Notifications and alerts leveraging the SYNC ability to mash up vehicle information, GPS locations and more, all to provide the driver with customized information and guidance
• Scheduling and planning apps that could include notifications of flight status, for instance, in the event flights are delayed or rescheduled

The 2011 Edison Silver Award winner in the Transportation In-Car Driving Aid category, AppLink currently is compatible with devices using the Apple iOS, Android and BlackBerry OS platforms. As with the 2012 Mustang, factory-installed AppLink for 2012 Fusion, F-150, Super Duty, Expedition and E-Series will come standard with SYNC, as well as be integrated into the optional voice-activated Navigation System, providing the additional convenience of a touch screen for control.

Source: ford.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.

Ford and Healthcare Experts Research SYNC Health and Wellness Connectivity Services Helping Manage Chronic Illness On the Go

June 8

As Americans take a more active role in managing their health and well-being, Ford researchers are taking a leading role in developing a series of health and wellness in-car connectivity solutions designed to empower people with self-help information while they drive.

Leveraging Ford SYNC® and its ability to connect devices via Bluetooth, access cloud-based Internet services and control smartphone apps, Ford is taking charge in this automotive whitespace area, developing industry-first voice-controlled in-car connections to an array of health aids from glucose monitoring devices, diabetes management services, asthma management tools and Web-based allergen alert solutions.

“Ford SYNC is well known in the industry and with consumers as a successful in-car infotainment system, but we want to broaden the paradigm, transforming SYNC into a tool that can help improve people’s lives as well as the driving experience,” said Paul Mascarenas, chief technology officer and vice president, Ford Research and Innovation.

Healthy statistics 

Health of mind, body and spirit is a significant slice of a larger global health and wellness trend that is transcending multiple generations, spectrums and industries. So-called healthy homes, allergen-free cleaners and products, and the cosmetic and bariatric surgery boon, for example, are all converging to create an eclectic mash-up that is redefining health and wellness for today’s consumer.

An underlying consumer demand for being in the know about one’s health while on the go also continues to rise, fueling the growing number and breadth of mobile healthcare devices and health- and fitness-related software and smartphone applications hitting the market today.

According to a recent survey conducted by CTIA-The Wireless Association and Harris Interactive, for example, some 78 percent of U.S. consumers expressed interest in mobile health solutions. A recent study by digital messaging powerhouse MobileStorm further confirmed this phenomenon, indicating that medical and healthcare apps was the third fastest-growing category of smartphone applications in early 2010. The major app stores, such as the Apple App Store, are now housing upward of 17,000 available health apps for download, with nearly 60 percent of those aimed at consumers rather than healthcare professionals, reports mobile research specialist Research2Guidance.

“Wireless health provides an unprecedented ability for monitoring and promotion of health and wellness for all individuals,” said UCLA Electrical Engineering Professor William Kaiser, who has worked with NASA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate to study how wireless health technologies can be used to track an individual’s fitness and health status and help identify potential risks and challenges. “Studies show wireless health empowers people with information and guidance that can directly address the most important health concerns.

“The new Ford health and wellness connectivity solutions represent a fundamental advancement for these individuals,” Kaiser added, “providing them additional support and functionality during time spent in the vehicle.”

Constant connections 

Taking a smart, high-volume approach to bringing mobile health and wellness solutions inside the car, Ford researchers are first looking at two populations with the most need for a constant connection to potentially life-saving medical information – people with diabetes and those with asthma and/or allergies.

According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 26 million adults and children are currently living with diabetes in the U.S., 3-plus million more than there were four years ago. Numbers grow even higher for those with asthma and allergies, with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reporting some 60 million Americans have asthma and/or allergies.

To create relevant in-car features and services for those living with these ailments, Ford is working with experts in these fields, including medical device manufacturers, healthcare management service providers and Web-based medical alert services.

“Ford’s approach to health and wellness in the vehicle is not about trying to take on the role of a healthcare or medical provider, we’re a car company,” said Gary Strumolo, global manager, Interiors, Infotainment, Health & Wellness Research, Ford Research and Innovation. “Our goal is not to interpret the data offered by the experts, but to work with them to develop intelligent ways for Ford vehicles using the power of SYNC. In essence, creating a secondary alert system and alternate outlet for real-time patient coaching services if you will.”

For people with diabetes and their caregivers, constant knowledge and control of glucose levels is critical to avoiding hypoglycemia or low glucose, which can cause confusion, lightheadedness, blurry vision and a host of other symptoms that could be dangerous while driving. Many now depend on a portable continuous glucose monitoring device to track their levels.

Likewise, those with asthma and allergies need to have a clear understanding of their environment and potential symptom triggers – such as pollen levels in the air – that can quickly lead to an attack. Growing in popularity among this group are Web-based alert services and smartphone apps that can help flag dangerous pollen levels based on location.

Ford SYNC offers three unique ways to bring health and wellness connected services into the car:

Device connectivity via Bluetooth – Leveraging Bluetooth, medical devices can be connected to the car to share information through SYNC, just like a driver connects and accesses his or her cellphone and address book by voice control

Cloud-based services – Ford created an off-board network of location-based traffic, directions and information providers that drivers can simply access via their cellphone. Known as SYNC Services, new services such as medical services can be easily added through this plug-and-play voice-controlled capability

AppLink – Ford’s latest SYNC innovation allows smartphone apps to be accessed by drivers via voice control. The SYNC application programming interface (API) allows app developers to enable their apps to communicate through SYNC, delivering a smarter way for drivers to manage apps while driving

The ongoing Ford health and wellness research projects encompassing these needs include:

Glucose monitoring: Working with Medtronic, a leading manufacturer of glucose monitoring devices, Ford researchers have developed a prototype system that allows Ford SYNC to connect via Bluetooth to a Medtronic continuous glucose monitoring device and share glucose levels and trends through audio and a center stack display and provide secondary alerts if levels are too low.

“To address the growing challenge of chronic diseases, Medtronic is collaborating with companies like Ford to develop innovative solutions,” said James Dallas, senior vice president, Medtronic. “Diabetes in particular is a chronic disease where frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels throughout the day is critical. As medical and consumer technologies converge, Medtronic is uniquely positioned to provide patients, caregivers and physicians with actionable insight from the data our devices can gather from the human body. By utilizing information technology and consumer electronic devices, we can help patients actively manage their health via access to real-time data on phones, hand-held devices or even in their cars.”

Allergy alerts: Ford is working with SDI Health and www.pollen.com to SYNC-enable its smartphone Allergy Alert app through AppLink, giving users voice-controlled access to the app that provides location-based day-by-day index levels for pollen; asthma, cold and cough and ultraviolet sensitivity; as well as four-day forecasts.

“Our developers initially created the iPhone app to provide users with greater access to the information they’ve come to rely on from pollen.com,” said Jody Fisher, vice president of Marketing for SDI. 

“Having instant, portable access for their conditions helps users plan their day or week ahead so they can remain active, which ultimately improves their quality of life.

“Collaborating with Ford is the perfect extension of this objective,” Fisher said. “We are happy to support Ford’s initiative of connecting drivers with resources and services important to their health and wellness.”

WellDoc: Ford and WellDoc, a recognized leader in the emerging field of mHealth integrated services, have joined forces to integrate in-car accessibility to WellDoc’s comprehensive cloud-based personalized solutions for those with asthma and diabetes through SYNC Services. Using voice commands, SYNC users could access and update their WellDoc profile to receive real-time patient coaching, behavioral education and medication adherence support based on their historic and current disease information.

“WellDoc was founded on the concept of helping patients manage their disease with everyday, personal tools that are easy to use and can be easily accessed,” said Dr. Anand K. Iyer, president and COO of WellDoc. “Through our partnership with Ford, we’ve created a unique in-vehicle environment that supports patients so they can continuously maintain their daily routines without interruption.”

Well on the way

Although still in the prototype and research phase, Strumolo acknowledges that many of the health and wellness features and services being explored at Ford have fairly short-term implementation requirements, such as the Allergy Alert app.

Ford is also examining other more long-term health and wellness technologies and ideas related to, for example, heart rate, relaxation and reducing stress. Ford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have long been studying the correlation between stressors and driving performance, wrapping up a nine-month advanced research project last fall that showed drivers are less stressed when using selected vehicle technologies such as Ford active park assist and cross-traffic alert.

“Health and wellness provides a tremendous opportunity for Ford to provide peace of mind and a personal benefit to drivers and passengers while they are in our vehicles,” said Strumolo. “As more and more devices and technologies lend themselves to such connectivity in the car, it is our responsibility, our philosophy, to examine those possibilities and open our doors to industry relationships that can help us do it intelligently, efficiently and economically.”

Source: ford.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.

Your Summer Travel Picnic Basket Isn’t Complete without a Tire Pressure Gauge, Say Ford Fuel Economy Experts

June 1

With the approach of the Summer Travel Season, Ford says don’t forget to pack your tire pressure gauge along with the summer travel picnic basket and sunscreen.

That’s because correct tire pressure plays a huge role in achieving optimal fuel economy.

Despite higher fuel prices than last year, AAA predicts close to 31 million people drove to their Memorial Day destinations.

“Many drivers wasted fuel – and money – if their tires are under-inflated,” says David Rohweder, Ford’s tire and wheel expert. “Properly inflated tires play an essential role in enabling vehicles to achieve their best fuel economy.”

The right amount of pressure in the tires also enhances safety. Ford and Lincoln vehicles are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that alert the driver when a tire is significantly under-inflated. But that doesn’t mean drivers no longer have to check the air pressure regularly.

Rohweder reminds motorists that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance. Even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low pressure warning light, drivers should check the pressure in their tires regularly.

Keeping tires at the recommended pressure can reduce the average amount of fuel used by 3 to 4 percent. Ford recommends customers check tire inflation pressures with an accurate (+/- 0.5 pounds per square inch, or psi) digital tire inflation pressure gauge.

Some tips for properly checking tire pressure:

• Check tire pressure when the tires are cold; in other words, before they have been driven on. Do not bleed air pressure from hot tires. Follow the recommendation in your owner’s guide for proper bleeding procedures.

• The proper air pressure for the front, rear and spare tires is listed on a sticker on the vehicle, usually on the driver’s door jamb. The pressure listed on the tire sidewall is the maximum for the tire and not the recommended inflation pressure.

• Check tire pressure at least once a month and always before trips. Even if the tire pressure warning light is not on, the tires could be under-inflated.

• Always remember to check the air pressure in the spare tire when you check the road tires.

Ford recommends using digital tire gauges because they tend to be more accurate than the old-fashioned mechanic gauge. Air temperature can have a great effect on anything that’s inflated – such as when a child’s ball goes flat when left out in the garage in the winter, for example. Temperature can change tire pressure by an average of 1 psi for every change of 10 degrees – colder or warmer.

Driving also affects tire pressure, so when traveling stop and check your tires before you’ve driven more than three minutes or more than one mile. After that, the tires become hot and the inflation pressure increases.

Always follow the recommendation in the vehicle owner’s guide for additional information on the proper procedures for tire maintenance.

Source: ford.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.

June 8

When you think of the 21st century, your first thoughts probably are not of the automobile.
Likely you conjure up thoughts of technology and anything associated with the "information age." This includes computers and mobile phones, which are the latest status symbols as we are at the crossroads of a new decade.

It's not about what you drive as much as it is about "Do you have a Droid or an iPhone?" Youths want to know how many texts you send a month, not how much horsepower you've got. Plus, it sounds cooler to say you send 3,000 texts than "Oh yeah, she purs with that four-cylinder motor. It's got 115 ponies!"

With that said, Ford has decided to take its updated Explorer in a new direction, something that represents the 21st century buyer. This means that the new, 2011 Explorer had to do a couple of things differently: have a more tech-laden interior than any previous generation Explorer and meet the needs of an emerging demographic, crossover buyers.

A lot like the "information age" the auto industry has seen an emerging change, what I dub the "crossover age." Basically this involved taking normal cars and jacking them up on stilts and placing an all-wheel drivetrain -- sometimes -- in the vehicle. It drives similarly to a normal car but it gives you the security and impression that you're driving a truck.

Here's the catch: although most of the time a crossover's MPG is better than a comparable, hardcore truck, crossovers aren't the best when you get it off the pavement.

Or are they? More about this later.

First let's talk about the new design. It does not take too long to recognize that the 2011 Ford Explorer is a longer sport-utility vehicle than before. It has increased in length by 3.7'' but at the same time it has shrunk in height by 1.8''. Then there are its design details. Notice it's A-pillar has been blacked out and although it has more fluid-looking sheetmetal with rounded edges, it still remains tough. LEDs adorn the back end and overall the car has a very clean, slick look.

Compared to my family's early 1990s Ford Explorer -- we named it "Blue Lightning" for its absurd paint scheme --, which looked akin to a Lego, the 2011 Explorer exudes a contemporary vibe. Hell, if you cover up the front and rear of the new Explorer, I am willing to bet that you'll agree it has a Range Rover-esque quality to it. That's something that most consumers who aspire to own a top-of-the-line Range Rover will be able to appreciate.

Then there is the interior. Ford has been saying for its past couple of product launches that it has benchmarked Audi's interior quality. Although you may have looked, tilted your head and said "Surely you must be joking," this time around they really have made strides. Without question, the 2011 Explorer has the nicest interior in the Ford lineup. My co-pilot for the drive, J.F. Musial -- who is a self-proclaimed Audiphile --, also inspected the SUVs switchgear and agreed that it sported seriously high-quality materials.

In my highly optioned test vehicle, there was a slew of tech goodies. This Explorer had a navigation unit with the best-in-breed SYNC system and MyFord Touch, which will take some getting use to. Probably the geekiest part about the nav unit was the "ECO" mode, which takes into account a variety of factors that may inhibit a higher MPG. It is a nice touch, however, only a legendary engineer like Isambard Kingdom Brunel could fully appreciate the savings it brings since he built his railway as flat as possible to be maintain efficiency.

Since the 2011 Explorer has gotten larger, Ford made the right choice by giving it standard third-row seating. This slick move gives the Explorer an edge against the all-new, 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which only has two rows of seating. Although it may seem like a minor detail, this does become a pivotal aspect when making a buying decision between the two, trust me.

In the driver's seat, it is a little weird to get used to the way Ford has configured the space in the Explorer. To your left and above your head there is enough room to make you feel as though you're in a cathedral; however, the Explorer's windscreen is smaller and more car-like so you do not feel like you are driving a gigantic box.

But enough of the interior mumbo jumbo, let's get to the nitty gritty of the 2011 Explorer and how it drives.

Using a 3.5-liter V6 powerplant, the 2011 Ford Explorer produces 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. Considering its heft at nearly 4,700 pounds, it is a relatively brisk vehicle. It's not going to pull your head back with a sledgehammer-like amount of torque, but is more than adequate for highway merging and getting around town.

The EPA estimates this six-cylinder will earn 17/25 city/highway. If that's not enough for you then look forward to next year when Ford will unleash a four-cylinder motor into the wild.

Given that the Explorer is a decently sized SUV, my expectations concerning the new Ford'shandling were set pretty low. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was not as bad as I would have expected given its weight and lack of an air suspension. Even more shocking was how Ford tuned the Explorer's steering feel. Unlike most SUVs, it has a stable on-center feel and provides a solid amount of feedback going into sweeping turns, which is where the Explorer feels its best.

In fact, the Explorer's steering feels better than the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO I drove. Where the 2010 Taurus SHO' steering felt unsure of itself, the 2011 Explorer feels confident wherever you point it.

Although Ford believes that most of its buyers will not be going off the tarmac, in case you're one of the select few, there is no need to worry thanks to the Terrain Management System. Sure, the 2011 Explorer lacks off-road cred without an air suspension or locking differentials, but when you factor in the costs -- $$, weight -- and benefits of the systems, they're not exactly worth it.

Think: locking diffs and an air suspension add quite a bit of heft. When the majority of consumers will not be requiring them and wants better fuel efficiency, it only makes sense to axe them. Sure you may not be as off-road capable as a Range Rover but I am confident most buyers will want the increased MPG and easier-to-use system.

Armed with five modes, the TMS offers Normal, Mud/ruts, Sand, Snow and Hill Descent Control. The best part about the center console dial is that it's easy to use and understand. It's not a bunch of buttons or switches that people will find confusing. After tackling a moderate off-road course, it's incredible to see that even some reasonably difficult obstacles can be attacked with STREET tires and a system that modifies the engine, tranny, four-wheel drive and traction control system.

Although a reasonable person would question the validity of an off-road course set up by Ford, I would rest assured because it was definitely more difficult than any soccer mom or city-going, crossover buyer would ever experience.

Now that we know it has what it takes, then there is the price. With Ford touting that the 2011 Explorer is $1,100 cheaper than the current model, has 80 more horsepower than the outgoing V6 model and comes equipped with a standard third row, you can't really find much to dislike about the Explorer. Base trims start at a competitive $28,995*

Though the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was consistently brought up again and again by Ford and testers, the real competitor is the 2011 Dodge Durango. Given that its base model prices in just over $30,000*, has competitive MPG and has a third row, it lines up better with the Explorer.

*These prices include destination and handling charge

After spending some time with the 2011 Explorer, it's pretty clear. Considering how well-rounded it is, the Explorer is a tough act to follow if towing and intense off-roading aren't your primary concerns. Although a lot of the time we question the awards giving to cars every year, the 2011 Ford Explorer is truly deserving of its North American Truck of the Year accolade.

Source: autospies.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.

Ford Challenges You to Swap Your Ride

June 2

You've seen the commercials for this year's Ford Swap Your Ride Event. Here's a video of actual people putting Ford to the test.

Now's the time to put us to the test for yourself. Visit Parker Ford to take one for a test-drive today!

Source: youtube.com

About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc. Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com.