No CarPlay? No problem.
Waze, the community-powered navigation app, comes pretty easy to Android and Android Auto on account of both the platform and the app itself being owned by Google. However, the situation has improved dramatically for iPhone users, provided they also own a Ford with the SYNC3 infotainment system.
Typically, a smartphone app would need to build an environment that support Apple CarPlay to have a spot on the in-car screen once the platform is activated. However, by cooperating with Ford directly, Waze has built in support for the car’s underlying interface, essentially circumventing Apple’s mirrored UI.
The feature is one that Ford has been touting as a key strength of SYNC3, with its AppLink layer allowing developers to integrate more tightly, and directly, with the operating system. What one would need to access Waze while in the car is just have the iPhone plugged in via USB and start the Waze app on SYNC3’s list of accessible apps.
Once running, the app behaves in much the same way as it would on the iOS device, with many of the same controls, features, and a similar layout and design to the native smart device experience. Users can then make use of the same functions such they could normally, such as scheduled trips, shared arrival times, real-time updates on traffic routes and road conditions, either by tapping the onboard touchscreen or via voice commands.
“Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to access the smartphone features, apps and services they care about most in the car, without having to pick up their device,” said Don Butler, executive director, connected vehicle platform and product, Ford Motor Company. “With Waze, our customers get the benefits they’re accustomed to with the added luxury of experiencing them on a bigger screen.”
“We’re excited drivers of Ford SYNC 3-enabled vehicles will now be able to use Waze for iOS right from their dashboard, getting access to features like planned drives, alternative routes, talk to Waze voice commands and more,” Jens Baron, product lead, in-car applications at Waze, said. “They’ll also benefit from the best routes and most accurate ETAs, thanks to our global community of drivers on the go who update the map in real-time — helping our mission to one day eliminate traffic.”
For more on Ford vehicles, check out our Showroom.
