Ford, FCA to Both Offer Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

Two more major American automotive brands have confirmed that they will offer both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Both Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) have announced that their infotainment systems will be able to run the smartphone-based software from Apple and Google which allows users to access many of their smartphone functions through the dashboard integrated touchscreen.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be offered in all 2017 Ford vehicles fit with SYNC 3, while owners of 2016 model year Ford vehicles will be able to add both systems retroactively at the end of the year. Another new addition to SYNC 3 is 4G LTE, which will give owners remote access to their vehicles to setup things like remote start or to check in on fuel status. The 2017 Escape will be the first Ford vehicle with the updated SYNC 3 system.

SEE ALSO: Toyota Continues to Shun Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

New apps that make use of Ford’s new connectivity include a AAA app which can show local fuel prices and traffic, an app called Eventseeker which looks for local events such as concerts and Concur, an app that logs your driving data for business purposes.

FCA is gearing up to show the fourth generation of its Uconnect system at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, which will include both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The company didn’t offer a specific timeline, simply saying that in 2016 “select others within the global portfolio will include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.”

A concept version of FCA’s updated Uconnect system will also be shown off this week, including features like predictive technology, which aims to learn the driver’s habits and the cater their driving experience to their likes and dislikes.