Ford simply launched a model new digital driving expertise for each its Ford and Lincoln automobile manufacturers. The long-standing American automaker is merging each the infotainment system and the instrument cluster below the identical computing module, which is powered by Android and Google but in addition intriguingly helps Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa.
Ford says this new Android-powered expertise will enable it to ship a human-centered interface, sooner updates, and entry to loads of third-party apps and video games — while you’re parked, after all.
We went hands-on with it, and we’ll be sincere: It feels nearer to the bridge of the USS Enterprise than it does to the dashboard of a household automobile.
Ford constructed a 3-in-1 expertise with a main Android system, plus Android Auto and CarPlay help for individuals who choose it.
The brand new Ford digital expertise is sort of a 3-in-1 platform. The first Ford expertise is Android-based; Google used to name this “Android Automotive” however is now referring to it as “Google built-in.” Ford introduced numerous the event in-house, although, to fine-tune the expertise and get it to run higher on the central console and on the sweeping 48-inch panoramic show up prime. The Android-based platform allows you to obtain and replace particular person apps via the Play Retailer proper from the console of your automobile — a very good departure from infotainment methods that require a full replace to repair some bugs in a single app.
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
For those who choose to make use of your cellphone, although, Ford’s new digital expertise helps each Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which suggests you have got numerous freedom along with your working system. Not solely that, however it additionally helps three totally different voice assistants, whether or not you need Google Assistant, which is the default, Apple’s Siri, or Amazon’s Alexa. The latter can management some in-car capabilities too, like setting the in-car temperature.
One of many major causes for this stage of voice management flexibility is that Ford desires to make the whole expertise voice-first. In any case, it’s simpler to ship instructions along with your voice and activate your assistant with a press of the button on the steering wheel as an alternative of twiddling with screens and buttons.
Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and Amazon Alexa are all supported on this voice-first expertise.
Nonetheless, the true star of the present is the brand new panoramic show. It’s a 48-inch 4K show with 1,000 nits of brightness that breaks down your info into three easy zones: Ford’s Necessities, the Supporting Info, and the stuff you want at a look.
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
The Necessities on the far proper are what you’re used to seeing in any automobile dashboard: your remaining vary, your velocity, the temperature contained in the automobile, and another fundamentals that the driving force wants in entrance of them. The Supporting Info within the center is usually simply your navigation panel, whether or not it’s Google Maps or Apple Maps. As soon as once more, Google Maps is the default, however should you open Apple Maps via CarPlay and begin navigating, your automobile will routinely regulate to convey the map entrance and heart so you have got essentially the most correct instructions on a regular basis. This could occur with third-party navigation apps too, like Waze for instance.
On the far left, you’ll see customizable widgets of all the pieces you would possibly want at a look. This contains music (Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, iHeartRadio, and SiriusXL amongst others), climate forecasts, and extra.
The 48-inch panoramic show mixes important automobile dashboard metrics, navigation, and glanceable widgets.
As talked about, Ford’s new digital expertise depends closely on the Google Play Retailer. With that in thoughts, there are some partnerships that Ford has in place, like Asphalt Nitro (after connecting a Bluetooth controller) and sure video conferencing apps. For those who’re ready in line to select up your child from college, however you should hop onto a fast work name, you’ll have the ability to do this. For work calls, video feeds might be accessible while you’re parked, however the automobile will swap to audio-only calls while you’re driving. Ford is actively working with totally different builders to fine-tune their apps for the linked driving expertise, so that you’ll have the ability to open them in your console and see them on the panoramic show.
We additionally had an opportunity to take a look at sure demos utilizing apps like Netflix and PBS Children, however once more, any app that requires this stage of interplay is just going to be accessible when you have got the automobile set to park.
Throughout our demo of Ford’s new digital driving expertise, all the pieces appeared to run actually easily. It was straightforward to navigate and add widgets or take away widgets from the panoramic show, and the checklist of supported apps is just going to continue to grow. Prime Video, YouTube, the Vivaldi browser, and even Chrome will even be accessible.
Within the meantime, you’ll see Ford’s new expertise come first to the all-new Lincoln Nautilus in 2024, adopted by different Ford and Lincoln fashions down the road. Count on to pay a month-to-month payment for the Ford or Lincoln Premium Connectivity plan, which supplies your automobile the 5G entry it must run all of this performance.
