What's Ford doing at Mobile World Congress?

BARCELONA, SPAIN:  After launching an App that claims to enable drivers to charge electric vehicles from their smartphone and expanding its Ford Smart Mobility plan at Mobile World Congress here; Ford Motor Company has now announced six new apps for Europe and Asia Pacific that customers will be able to voice-activate using Ford SYNC with AppLink technology, and stay connected on the move.

In Europe, available apps will now include the global leader in football scores and news Goal Live Scores, for real-time football updates from 750 leagues worldwide; AppLink’s first finance app CaixaBank; and Soundtracker for personalised radio stations.

Ford also announced for China Kaola FM that offers access to more than 1 million hours of copyrighted audio; and Xiami Music that offers a library of more than four million songs. For Australia, Fairfax Radio will deliver news, talk and sport highlights from the Fairfax Radio Network

“Across the world AppLink helps customers integrate their devices and the apps they know and love into their car,” said Don Butler, Connected Vehicle and Services, Ford Motor Company. “These new apps, ensure drivers won’t have to wait to know when their team scores, can easily access music and radio shows, and even find a cash machine, while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”

The new apps extend that range of information, entertainment and services to include Goal Live Scores that enables drivers to follow the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A, and international tournaments including the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Champions League. Users set favourite teams and leagues, and follow chosen matches. Available for Android in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish Soundtracker that enables drivers to play stations and to listen to those created by friends and other users.

In Asia Pacific, Ford already offers apps including AutoNavi, Baidu, Douban, Pandora, QingTing.fm, Sina, Sogou,Tencent and TuneIn Radio.

Earlier at MWC, Ford has announced Handle on Mobility prototype electric bicycle (e-bike)experiment which is supported by a prototype journey-planning app, and explores the integration of e-bikes for commuters and commercial users with automotive and public transportation options. Ford is also talking about its Info Cycle experiment, an open-source data-gathering initiative designed to enhance the urban biking experience–whether it is an e-bike or a traditional bike.