Wish List: A Ford App To Remote Start, Lock, Unlock & Check Vehicle Stats
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With the increased popularity of web-based services and smartphone applications, we thought it’s time for Ford to get an app.
The Functionality
Our proposed app should be accessible via the major smartphone platforms (such as iOS, Android, and Windows Phone) as well as through the web (via a web browser) and offer users the ability to check their vehicle’s vital stats: odometer, trip A, and trip B, average fuel economy, and range.
The range, or the estimated amount of travel distance until an empty tank, would be particularly useful, since many drivers often forget how much fuel (or electricity, in the case of the Focus Electric) they have remaining, and — let’s face it — making the trip to the car on a Sunday night isn’t as convenient as whipping out a smartphone or hopping on a computer.
Technically Speaking
While such an app would be very useful, we’re not entirely sure how the engineers at Ford would implement it without making a call out to a special cloud-based app (such as SYNC Services). The call, however, would need to be made using a driver’s or passenger’s cell phone, thus not being the most convenient or user-friendly method. Perhaps building a cellular device into the vehicle — or using the data connection on the driver’s/passenger’s cell phone — would be the ideal way of uploading the vehicle’s stats to SYNC Services.
Competitive And Good For The Image
At the end of the day, offering a smartphone and/or web app to check vehicle information would tie in very well with Ford’s newly-founds high-tech image, which is in large part thanks to SYNC. In fact, the app we’re yearning for in this article could very well carry the SYNC name, or maybe even the MyFordTouch/MyLincolnTouch brand.
And considering that competitors (such as General Motors’ Onstar RemoteLink and Hyundai’s BlueLink) already offer apps that offer this kind of functionality and a lot more, it’s almost inevitable that Ford will follow suit.
The Motrolix Take
Considering all that we know about telematics and infotainment today, it would probably be best if The Blue Oval built cellular phones into its vehicles. Doing so would enable it to offer other convenient features such as remote start, remote door lock & unlock, and a vehicle locator that’s integrated into the car’s GPS system, similar to OnStar’s RemoteLink app. And while the current SYNC Destinations app is cool and useful, we hope it’s just the beginning of Ford’s deep integration of telematics, infotainment, and modern communications tools such as smartphones and the web.
What do you think? Sound off in the comments!
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I agree, we need an app for android devices. That would be the missing pieces with all the other nifty Ford gadgets
Well, there already is SYNC Destinations for iPhone and Android. Here’s the Android Marketplace link:
https://market.android.com/details?id=inrix.android.fordui&feature=search_result
I’d take a step further and ask for an app for the three major smartphone platforms (iOS, Android, Windows) — but the challenge is how Ford will make such an app without building cellular connectivity into the actual vehicle.
I work for a large fleet management company and get to drive many demo vehicles. GM has a app that runs through its onstar system that allows me to lock, unlock, start, stop, and hit the “panic” alarm on my current GM. I LOVE this feature, for those to love remote start, this is simply taking it to the next logical step. Everything in our world is moving to mobile technology and this is another example. I am definitely a Ford fan and believe overall their technology is far superior and even though Onstar is a subscription based service I think GM has one up on the other domestics in this area.
Could not agree more. Just had this problem today. My 2011 f150 my wife got locked out of vehicle with my 7month old and I’m 40 min away. Call ford to see if the can get it unlocked. They say sure let me get some information. After 10 minutes on the phone she finally says a locksmith is on he way it will be an hour and a half. The whole time I was waiting for her to say ok it’s unlocked lol. C’mon ford get with the program. If not an app for us to be able to do it at least have a way for your roadside team to be able to.
Edwin — right on. The problem is that Ford doesn’t have a built-in cellular system/connection to its vehicles like GM does with OnStar. Until that happens, we’ll be wishing we had OnStar 🙁
Recently purchased the 2013 edge SEL. It has the my Ford touch but does not have navigation. I can go buy a great GPS product for $125 or so. They couldn’t incorporate that into $36,000 vehicle. I just saw my buddies OnStar link on his app very disappointed ford is usually is a leader but in this instance they have fallen behind. Do better Ford. GO FURTHER I should say
Ford app developer could possibly use existing car wifi for remote start from home network or smartphone.
I bought a 2013 F-150 Limited this past summer. The 8th consecutive Ford vehicle I’ve purchased (from the same dealership). The new Limited is everything I ever wanted out of a truck/vehicle – except this one conspicuously missing capability. I want some basic functionality to/from my truck via iPhone. I buy a new truck every two years. If the 2015s don’t have this, I will seriously be looking at GMC Denali. No, it’s not a threat, I’m not so arrogant to think my not buying a Ford, for a change, will do anything – yet I know I’m not alone out here.