[mojo]

Toyota has started working with Fords Smart Device Link, an open source version of AppLink. In trying to fight Apple and Google for the dashboard, Smart Device Link allows manufacturers and developers to sign up and work from a common platform...

Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, will explore working with Ford on integrating smartphone applications into future vehicles, the two companies said in e-mailed statements. Ford says its SmartDeviceLink technology allows companies like Pandora Inc. to develop apps only once for use in multiple infotainment systems, while also allowing carmakers to control the design of their dashboards.

Toyota-Ford Defend Control of Dashboard From Apple-Google - Bloomberg Business

 

[mister]

Toyota and Ford are two powerhouses so I don't doubt that they will put a lot into this to make it good. It still seems like they are fighting a losing battle when you consider that Apple and Google are the others competing against them.

 

[David]

Toyota and Ford are two powerhouses so I don't doubt that they will put a lot into this to make it good. It still seems like they are fighting a losing battle when you consider that Apple and Google are the others competing against them.

Add to that how many folks have Apple and Android devices along with how familiar they are with those interfaces.

The good thing about this for Toyota/Ford, it won't be the defining factor for a potential, or at least I hope it won't.

 

[mister]

It might turn out that Ford and Toyota end up doing really well this this. If they can create a system that is at least equal to what Android and Appl come out with then they will actually own their infotainment technology instead of having to pay another company to do it for them.

 

[David]

Being a couple of the largest car makers around they have that potential even to keep people around if their system turns out to be not as good, of course only for those folks that have their priorities straight.

 

[mister]

But if the system turns out to not be so good, I think that it would just be a matter of time before Ford throws in the towel and jumps on the Apple/Android bandwagon. I wish them the best though. It would be great if they could do something just as good as Apple and Google.

 

[Kennedy]

That is quite possible.

Also seeing how consumers respond to it and how much traction it picks up, that could make for even more of a reason for them to go that route.

 

[David]

But if the system turns out to not be so good, I think that it would just be a matter of time before Ford throws in the towel and jumps on the Apple/Android bandwagon. I wish them the best though. It would be great if they could do something just as good as Apple and Google.

being a user of both android and apple iOS systems, even blackberry, i would prefer that, i'm sure most folks would.

 

[mister]

No matter how good the Ford system is, Ford doesn't make phones so there will always be certain things that Android and Apple are able to do better than Ford/Toyota.

 

[mojo]

No matter how good the Ford system is, Ford doesn't make phones so there will always be certain things that Android and Apple are able to do better than Ford/Toyota.

but ford makes cars and apple does not...