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Nuance-powered Ford SYNC AppLink now available in Europe

Nuance Communications, Inc. today announced the further roll-out of the Ford SYNC AppLink system featuring Nuance’s voice technology across more Ford models in Europe. The factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system allows Ford drivers in Europe to stay connected while in their vehicle, without compromising safety. AppLink gives consumers hands-free access to compatible apps on their iOS and Android smartphones by using their voice.

Consumers expect to stay connected everywhere – even from behind the wheel. As a result, vehicles have evolved into connected cars that tap into apps and content designed for the in-car experience. Leveraging Nuance’s innovative voice recognition and text-to-speech technology optimized for the connected car, users can connect to their favourite smartphone applications through voice commands, stream internet radio and listen to tweets and news from the driver’s seat – minimizing manual and visual distractions.

Drivers can activate Ford SYNC AppLink by simply pressing the button on the steering wheel and saying the name of an AppLink-enabled application installed on the connected device. For example, AppLink features “Glympse” for location sharing. By pressing the button on the steering wheel, the driver can just say “send Glympse to Facebook” – and their location is quickly and easily posted. Other applications that can be connected include, Audioteka, Hotels.com, ADAC, Eventseeker, Cityseeker, DIE WELT, Spotify, Aupeo, Parkopedia, Radioplayer and Cyclops.

“At Ford we continuously strive to provide our customers with top of the range solutions to improve their driving experience. Working with Nuance, we’re able to implement cutting edge voice-activated in-car communications allowing drivers to carry out day to day tasks and access their personal apps and information safely from within their vehicles.”, said Joe Beiser, director, Ford Connected Services, Asia Pacific, Africa, and Europe.

Arnd Weil, vice president and general manager, automotive, Nuance Mobile and Consumer commented, “Connectivity can never come at the expense of safety, which is why automakers are integrating systems that engage content, while keeping drivers focused on the road. Nuance’s automotive voice solutions power more than 90 million automobiles. The technology understands what you say and also comprehends what you mean, providing direct access to content and delivering a specific outcome. The use of voice in solutions such as SYNC AppLink, will further accelerate the adoption of in-car voice technology.”

Availability

Ford SYNC AppLink, already available in the new Ford EcoSport, also now features on Ford Fiesta, B-MAX, Focus, C-MAX and Kuga models.

The AppLink SDK including Nuance speech recognition and text-to-speech functionality is also available through Ford to third-party developers building apps for iOS and Android. All SYNC-enabled mobile apps can be downloaded through the same app store interfaces currently used. For more information on developing with the Ford AppLink SDK, visit www.developer.ford.com.

Nuance Communications

Nuance Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of speech and imaging solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with information and how they create, share and use documents. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance’s proven applications. For more information, please visit www.nuance.com.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 47,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 69,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (15 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and nine unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nuance .