Ford launches the car industry’s first open mobile app developer program.
By Suzanne LaBarre Posted 01.07.2013 at 9:55 pm 8 Comments

Ford at CES 2013 Suzanne LaBarre

Inching us ever closer to the connected car of the future, Ford today announced plans to crowdsource the next generation of driver-friendly apps. The 150-year-old company, which celebrates Henry Ford's 150th birthday this year, is opening its code libraries and other resources to developers worldwide. The idea? Consumers know what they want, so let them design the apps that'll keep them entertained--and safe--on the road.

Ford already has a robust platform that lets drivers access their favorite apps, hands-free. With Synch AppLink, drivers use voice commands to tune into everything from Pandora to NPR News; no need to lift your eyeballs from the road to stab at a smartphone. The Ford Developer Program follows up on that. "Today is really about expanding the access and availability of the AppLink software," vice president of engineering Hau Thai-Tang said in a press conference at CES, "so that everyone who has a great idea has the opportunity to create tests and possibly deploy the app." Developers can check out Ford's SDK at developer.ford.com. Ford will help bring the most promising ideas to fruition.

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8 Comments

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Robot
01/07/13 at 11:11 pm

Ford is my favorite, always and forever. I think I have an app itite for this goal!

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Trooper Bri
01/07/13 at 11:19 pm

Call me crazy, but that looks like Lexus at CES 2013.

Where be da' Ford?

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Robot
01/08/13 at 8:52 am

Trooper Bri,
Often as manufactures conform to smooth efficient aerodynamics all cars tend to be similar to me too.

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iambronco
01/08/13 at 10:17 am

2013 Ford Fusion

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shutterpod
01/08/13 at 10:41 am

Ford is 150 yrs old? Try 109...

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racerfan
01/08/13 at 12:31 pm

they messed up some information. This years marks the 150th anniversary of Henry Ford's birth.


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