Mobile Device Integration for Ford SYNC 
Platform for Ford Sync
The Company
Ford managed to change the perception of the car and make the blue oval sing with SYNC. SYNC was initially the connectivity gateway for all devices inside the car so drivers could safely operate their favorite gadgets in the vehicle using voice control. After an initial release in 2007, SYNC quickly evolved to become an infotainment platform.
The Challenge
To maintain its lead in infotainment, Ford continues to innovate at an ever-increasing pace. In order to enable third party developers to create applications for its customers, Ford created a mechanism whereby mobile applications running on smart phones can interact safely with the vehicle through SYNC.
The Solution
AppLink was born. AppLink is the application-programming interface (API) that a mobile application uses to register and call to access the various SYNC peripherals (buttons, displays, audio…). EB implemented AppLink's functional specification using an open communication protocol designed in collaboration with Ford. AppLink provides Ford partners – Pandora, Stitcher, and OpenBeak – the ability to develop SYNC-enabled applications.
The Benefit
SYNC added buzz to Ford products from the get go and EB was instrumental in that endeavor. Alan Mulally, Ford CEO, emphasized in his keynote at the 2010 CES that the SYNC technology has been critical in the sale of Ford vehicles. In surveys 32% of buyers said that SYNC was important or critical in their decisions to buy a Ford vehicle. Ford now ranks as the number 5 innovative company in mobile technology (fastcompany.com)