Toyota Motor Corporation announced earlier today about its ambitious intentions to explore into the integration of SmartDeviceLink technology. The smartphone in-car infotainment operation technology’s primary aim is to offer a seamless user experience and the Japanese automaker will collaborate with Livio, a Ford subsidiary, for the implementation of SDL technology in its models.
Back in 2013, Ford Motor Company became the first American automaker to open-source the software by contributing the AppLink/SDL code to the GENIVI Alliance. Essentially, AppLink enables apps from smartphones connected to the SYNC media system to be controlled using the vehicle interface. This software includes tech goodies such as voice recognition, the whole nine yards.
Two years after that announcement, the Blue Oval is preparing to roll out the SYNC 3 infotainment system. Don Butler, executive director of Ford Connected Vehicle and Services, is pretty enthusiastic about it.
In the light of Toyota’s decision to collaborate on the SmartDeviceLink project, Butler declared: “Dashboard interface design and smartphone connectivity are key elements for product differentiation within the industry. At Ford, we view all aspects of time behind the wheel as core to the experience we provide customers."
"We’re pleased other members of the industry feel the same way, and look forward to working together to drive even more support for the SDL developer community.” Put simply, the SDL-driven AppLink serves SYNC as the application’s programming interface.
It offers trouble-free access to apps such as Spotify, Glympse, iHeartRadio, Pandora and others by using voice recognition and in-car controls. To understand how SDL makes it easy for phones and cars to work together, play the video below. SYNC AppLink product manager Julius Marchwicki will take it from here.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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