Ford vehicles have been coming with Alexa support for a few years now, albeit it was only available on cars with the Sync 3 infotainment system. Using Alexa also required one to install Ford's AppLink app on their phone. This created friction when one wanted to use Alexa while inside their Ford car.
Ford is looking to change all that by adding native Alexa integration to its vehicles with Sync 4 infotainment system.
Ford Vehicles Are Getting Deeper Alexa Integration
Ford will be rolling out an OTA update in the US and Canada this fall for its 2021 vehicles with the Sync 4 infotainment system to improve the Alexa integration. The Ford Bronco, Edge, F-150, the Mustang Mache-E, and Super Duty models will be the first in line to get the update.
The deeper Alexa integration in the Sync 4 infotainment system comes as a result of Ford and Amazon deepening their ties and signing a six-year deal. Bloomberg Quint reports that both companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.
Thanks to the deeper integration, you'll no longer need to connect your smartphone to your Ford vehicle's infotainment system to use Alexa.
The update will substantially improve the Alexa experience and allow you to summon the voice assistant in your Ford vehicle without having to use the AppLink app. You can just say "Alexa" to trigger the voice assistant and ask it to play music, provide traffic updates, find the nearest gas station, and more.
Ford is expecting to roll out hands-free Alexa support to at least 700,000 vehicles in the US and Canada by the end of 2021. Ford is the first company to offer native hands-free Alexa integration baked into its vehicles. Earlier this year, the company partnered with HP to turn 3D printing waste into truck parts.
If you have the FordPass Skill, you'll also be able to use Alexa to start or lock your Ford vehicle. The update will be released as a part of the company's Power-Up program with which it aims to keep upgrading and enhancing its vehicles with regular OTA updates.
Ford Will Cover Alexa's Data Charges for Three Years
Ford will be covering the data usage of Alexa on AT&T's network in your vehicle's infotainment system for three years. However, this will exclude the data used for streaming music. The three-year time period will start when 2021 Ford vehicles get the OTA update that adds Alexa to their infotainment system. For 2022 models, it will start from the date their warranty period starts.
Ford has not confirmed the mobile data pricing that you'll have to pay after three years of use. The company will provide more details on this closer to the end of the trial period.