For a little while now, Ford has only offered support for Android Auto, but it will soon be one of the first carmakers to adopt its Wireless version. You will be able to use Android Auto without a wire in select 2020 Ford models.
Ford announced its plans for its SYNC 4 system this week, which will make its debut in vehicles around 2020. The new system has an improved design and interface that includes new multitasking features for larger displays from the previous version. There is also a new manual feature for Digital Owner (please copy this to everyone else) as well as SiriusXM with 360L support.
Wireless support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though, is the upgrade we’re most interested in. For this feature, which was introduced almost two years ago, only a handful of carmakers have added support. It was available on quite a few head units of the aftermarket, but it was a shame to see it being introduced so sparsely in actual vehicles.
Ford says Wireless Android Auto will be available to allow the experience with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but what is important is that it opens the door for users to charge their phones with faster chargers as well as wireless chargers. Wireless charging on these new models is also an optional feature.
Hopefully, more carmakers are going to follow Ford’s lead. Notably, however, only Pixel, Nexus and select Samsung devices are still supported by Wireless Android Auto.
With more customers pairing smartphones and mobile devices to their vehicles, SYNC 4 offers even more convenience by letting customers cut the cord. For the first time, Ford is implementing wireless implementation of both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as SYNC AppLink apps such as Waze or Ford+Alexa.
Customers will continue to be able to use both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to enable simultaneous operation of in-vehicle entertainment and mobile device navigation while providing calls, music, and other features to be controlled through the vehicle’s display. Available wireless charging capability also means you can juice up your compatible smartphone even while leaving the cords at home.
In addition to these features, Convenience Controls enabled by AppLink allow for the control of various vehicle features when equipped, right from your smartphone, such as lighting, climate, or the radio.
