Ford present has officially announced its fresh next-generation in-car infotainment system. While Ford is doubling down on its own native experience, it’s besides expanding its commitment to CarPlay.
I had a chance to visit Ford’s office in Dearborn, Michigan last week for a sneak preview of the fresh “Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience.” Here’s what you request to know…
Much of Ford’s emphasis is on its fresh native in-car infotainment software, which packs a wide-range of features. This includes things like dedicated apps for Spotify, Prime Video, and more. There’s integrated Google Maps, access to apps via Google Play, built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and built-in gaming support with apps like Asphalt Nitro 2.
While this may sound like bad news for CarPlay fans, have no fear. Ford is not following in GM’s footsteps and ditching CarPlay. In fact, it actually has good news for CarPlay users as part of this announcement.
As part of the fresh Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience, Ford is adding support for dual-screen Apple Maps for the first time. This means that erstwhile you start Apple Maps navigation on the primary CarPlay screen, the Apple Maps interface will grow into the instrument cluster display. This is not next-generation CarPlay support.
Apple first added support for dual-screen CarPlay back in 2019, giving automakers the ability to grow the CarPlay interface to instrument cluster displays. Adoption of this feature has been very slow, and I first went hands-on with it last year in a Polestar 2.
I had a chance to see it in action in the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus as well as a preview of how it will look in a more “traditional” Ford screen arrangement. In the Nautilus, the second-screen Apple Maps interface takes the place of the built-in Google Maps interface in the car’s panoramic display. It fundamentally melds the Lincoln’s native plan with CarPlay, with a seamless transition on either side.
Apple Maps can besides coexist alongside Ford’s native interface in the center screen, appearing as a tile next to native Ford apps.
Here’s a look at it in action on the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus:
And here’s what it will look like in a more conventional Ford car, with the full CarPlay interface on the center screen and Apple Maps on the instrument cluster screen.
9to5Mac’s Take
In an perfect world, Ford would have simultaneously announced its support for Apple’s next-generation CarPlay platform. This platform expands CarPlay to the full in-car experience and is coming first to Porsche and Aston Martin cars this year. I asked Ford about its plans for next-generation CarPlay, but the company said it has nothing to announce at this time.
However, Ford repeatedly emphasized to me that it very much values its partnership with Apple. The company says that it is not only committed to keeping CarPlay around, but is besides committed making its implementation even better.
Dual-screen Apple Maps via CarPlay is simply a large feature and is simply a step in the right direction. I hope there’s more to come, but in a planet where there seems to be more bad CarPlay news than good CarPlay news, I very much welcome this announcement from Ford.
Ford says that the fresh digital experience will debut first in the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, and to “stay tuned for the first Ford Digital Experience vehicle integration” announcements.
Full press release
Enhance Your Drive: Introducing the All-New Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience
Unifying Digital and Driving Experiences
Our lives center around digital ecosystems and the proliferating number of devices we usage to stay connected to the most crucial people, content and services. The average U.S. household now owns 16 connected devices, according to a 2022 survey from Parks Associates. With home and work lives intertwined, consumers anticipate consistent access across their smartphones, watches, tablets and laptops. At Ford, we believe this seamless connection should proceed erstwhile our customers hit the road.
Now, with the all-new Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience, customers can access their digital lives, including their favourite apps and services from Google and Amazon, with their choice of utilizing the fresh integrated native experience or 1 powered by their smartphone through Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto.
From the minute customers enter a vehicle with a Ford or Lincoln Digital Experience, their vehicle becomes a personalized experience, with apps and content easy displayed front and center to aid make time behind the wheel more enjoyable, even erstwhile parked.
Elevate Your Driving Experience
The user experience with Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience is crafted around the driver to be simple and intuitive, with a touchscreen control panel and buttons on the steering wheel.
- The Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience first come to life through beautiful display screens, including a 48-inch immersive panoramic display first available on the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus. It is the highest-resolution display Lincoln has offered.
- The panoramic display makes critical information available right where you request it, specified as preferred apps and services – including BlueCruise for hands-free road driving – displayed on the screen in the driver’s line of sight.
- The ability to place apps and services in the desired place on the touchscreen or panoramic screen is intended to be as simple as possible. Supportive information like media, weather and fuel economy can be seen with a fast glance via widgets on the right side of the display. This helps drivers keep their eyes up and out to look at the road ahead, while providing the customized information they desire.
- Establishing profiles enables each driver to set preferences to appear erstwhile entering the vehicle. These include apps, contacts, and favourite destinations, plus customized seating, steering wheel and mirror positions.
- Getting around town is simple, utilizing integrated Google Maps for real-time traffic, road conditions, dynamic and eco-friendly routes and points of interest.
- Designed to prioritize the usage of voice, Google Assistant serves as the default voice assistant and Alexa Built-In is besides available as an alternate for in-vehicle controls specified as to set in-vehicle temperature, search information, find and set a destination and request a circumstantial broadcast or satellite radio station. It can besides aid with making calls, sending texts, setting a meeting, or controlling connected home devices.
Download Your favourite Apps
The experience connects to a customer’s digital life to make the compartment more personalized.
- Enjoy streaming music, audiobooks, and podcasts utilizing amusement apps downloaded on Google Play including Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and iHeartRadio, as well embedded SiriusXM with 360L for a personalized listening experience so they are always available in the vehicle – regardless of whether a smartphone is connected in the vehicle.
- While parked, play games on the touchscreen by selecting from a increasing list available on Google Play, including a Ford-exclusive version of the racing game Asphalt Nitro 2. Connect to a Bluetooth-enabled gaming controller for a more immersive experience.
- Watch videos and stream your favourite movies and tv shows erstwhile parked with apps specified as YouTube, Prime Video and more to stay entertained while out and about on regular journeys.
- Surf the web while parked utilizing the available Vivaldi Browser app – as well as Google Chrome coming shortly – including with a Bluetooth-connected keyboard to make typing easier.
- Stay productive on the go, and never miss a work call with leading video conferencing apps coming soon, enabling audio access while driving and displaying the incoming video feed of participants while parked.
A platform built for the future: The Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience is the fastest infotainment strategy Ford and Lincoln has always offered. The strategy is capable of more than 5 times faster main processing, nearly 14 times faster graphics processing and features 4 times the memory and 8 times the retention compared to today’s Ford and Lincoln in-vehicle infotainment system. It’s designed to enable more fresh apps and services in the future thanks to over-the-air software update capability.
- 5G wireless technology brings incredibly fast connectivity and with a Ford or a Lincoln Premium Connectivity plan, it will supply the best possible in-vehicle experience.
- The availability to activate a Wi-Fi hotspot can aid guarantee that passengers can happily stream on their own devices inside the vehicle.
Ready for Software Updates
The Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience represents a step forward in Ford’s approach to plan and improvement of in-vehicle infotainment systems. The company is developing more of the software in-house to deliver a higher velocity of updates and improvements.
Ford has built a general computing platform to deliver more of the benefits of a software-defined system. This includes transitioning from utilizing 2 separate modules for the instrument cluster and infotainment strategy to a single module to facilitate faster software changes and better velocity of consequence to commands via updates.
It was crucial to choose an operating strategy with a scalable and open architecture that offers customization to service the evolving needs of customers over time.
Bringing more of the software improvement in-house allows for the creation of unique experiences like the widgets in the panoramic display and the ability to aid make the vehicle better over time through software updates.
Customers will experience fresh apps and services faster than before due to the fact that apps and system-level updates are now independent of each other. System-level updates are pushed through vehicle software updates like what happens today, while another applications can come through Google Play. This enables the client to benefit from fresh apps coming from third-party developers versus app experiences being tied to vehicle strategy software updates.
Only The Beginning
The Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience deliver a driver-first experience that can be personalized and customized to fit unique client needs and yet make the driving experience more enjoyable. The Lincoln Digital Experience is available on the all-new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus available now. Stay tuned for the first Ford Digital Experience vehicle integration.
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Don’t drive while distracted or while utilizing handheld devices. usage voice-operated systems erstwhile possible. any features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear. Eligible 2024 model year vehicles receive complimentary access to 3 years of Alexa Built-in and 1 year of Lincoln Premium Connectivity Connected Service plan which begins on the fresh Warranty start date. Cellular network may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features.
Available Feature. BlueCruise requires a Connected Service plan, FordPass® App or Lincoln Way® App, and modem activation. Equipped vehicles come with either a complimentary trial period or an included BlueCruise Connected Service plan duration, after which acquisition is required. See ford.com/bluecruise or your Lincoln retailer for more details. BlueCruise driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace safe driving or driver’s attention, judgement and request to control the vehicle. Only remove hands in a Hands-Free Blue Zone. Always watch the road and be prepared to resume control. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.
Eligible vehicles receive 3 years of complimentary access to Alexa Built-in. Lincoln Premium Connectivity offered on eligible vehicles with a 1-year complimentary service. Trials begin upon fresh Vehicle Warranty start date. Access to Alexa Built-in requires an Amazon account, Lincoln Digital Experience, Lincoln Way® activated through the Lincoln Way® App (see Lincoln Way Terms for details). any Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play, and Alexa Built-in features require Lincoln Premium Connectivity connected service plan or Wi-Fi network. Connected service and features depend on compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features. Lincoln Way® App, compatible with choice smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply.
Android car and Apple CarPlay®: Requires telephone with active data service plan and compatible software. In-Vehicle Digital Experience does not control third-party products while in use. 3rd parties are solely liable for their respective functionality. Data rates may apply. Not all features are compatible with all phones.
SiriusXM trial subscription will halt at the end of the trial period. Trial is non-transferable. If you do not want to enjoy your trial, cancel by calling the number below. Service subject to the SiriusXM client Agreement and Privacy Policy; visit www.siriusxm.com for full terms and how to cancel which includes online methods or calling 1-866-635-2349. Services, content and features are subject to device capabilities, location availability or active data connection. Fees, content and features are subject to change. Available in the 48 contiguous United States, D.C., and Puerto Rico (with coverage limits and capable receiver). Visit listenercare.siriusxm.com for most current service area information. Radio features, content, and display may vary by vehicle. any features may not be available while driving.
Lincoln Connect, the Lincoln Way App and complimentary Connected Service are required for distant features, including over-the-air updates. (see Lincoln Way Terms for details). Lincoln Way App is available via a download; message and data rates may apply. Connected Service and features depend on compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/ cellular networks/ vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features. Connected Service excludes Wi‑Fi hotspot.
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