DETROIT: Apple CarPlay hasn't yet put Waze into vehicle dashboard screens but iPhone users driving a car with Ford's SYNC 3 system will be able to use the live traffic and navigation app.
Most recent cars come equipped with their own built-in navigation app in the dashboard, however they don't always have a live connection and therefore are unable to provide those crucial real-time traffic updates.
That's why many drivers prefer Waze, which claims to be “the world's largest community-based traffic and navigation app” and encourages people on the road to communicate issues such as an accident or roadworks by clicking icons on the screen.
As might be expected, the mobile app has become very popular in major cities with heavy traffic and is often favoured over a car manufacturer's own option, even if it means buying and mounting a smartphone holder.
Now Ford has teamed up with Waze to provide iOS users a way to project their route onto the dashboard screen, eliminating the need for a mount and providing easier access to the in-app features that will assist with finding efficient routes, locating cheap fuel prices and reporting any traffic accidents.
This is essentially already available to Android users through Android Auto, however Apple's CarPlay doesn't support Waze as of yet.
This new integration will put Waze on a bigger screen and allow the driver to control it through voice command, keeping both hands on the steering wheel and off of the smartphone.
Available to Ford SYNC 3-equipped vehicles through the AppLink, the only thing the iPhone user will need to ensure is that they use iOS 11.3 and have the Waze app downloaded.
“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.
