Ford, GM to developers: Give us apps
Automakers offer kits at their websites
By Nathan Bomey and Alisa Priddle Free Press Business Writers
General Motors and Ford touted plans to open their vehicle infotainment technology to outside software developers so drivers can customize applications for their vehicles.
Ford’s announcement was Monday. GM is to follow today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
They are following a path blazed by Apple, which allows independent software developers to create apps for its iPhones and iPads. Facebook also allows outside developers to make apps for its social network.
Unlike Apple, however, which keeps 30% of revenue users pay for certain apps while the developers keep 70%, it’s unclear how and whether the automakers will generate revenue from their new software. But using independent developers will cost less than hiring their own employees.
“We recognize the car experience can be made better by getting a lot of other people to help us,” said Phil Abram, GM’s chief infotainment officer.
Ford is open to start working with developers immediately. The way it would work is that when apps are available, customers visit an app store to download or upgrade the app onto their smartphone. Ford’s AppLink allows the phone apps to work through the car’s Sync connectivity system and use voice commands.
“Our focus is on adding value to our products, and thus driving up purchase consideration and sales,” said Ford spokesman Alan Hall.
Interested app developers can register at http://develop er.ford.com to download the AppLink kit, which contains code libraries and documentation for two-way communication between the apps and the car.
Developers will also have access to technical support from Ford engineers and online discussion forums with other developers.
GM is launching a similar software development kit at http://developer.gm.com , where people can access information they need to develop apps for the automaker’s vehicles. Each company will evaluate apps and decide which should be uploaded to their vehicles.
GM will begin allowing outside apps in 2014 model-year vehicles. Ford already has started offering some from its beta testers.
“We have standards and guidelines for what can and can’t happen in the car” to discourage distracted driving, Abram said.
Ford said apps already available for its vehicles include Glympse, which shares a person’s location, and on-demand music service Rhapsody. They can be activated by pushing the Sync button on the steering wheel.
GM introduced four possible apps, including one from iHeartRadio and the Weather Channel.
Asking outside developers to make apps is risky. They may range from kids in their basements to major global corporations. They don’t think like automotive engineers.
But there’s also a good chance developers will come up with ideas no automaker has considered.
“The car presents an all-new opportunity for developers, especially the millennial market (those 18 and 33 years old), and we’re looking forward to seeing what results,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford vice president of engineering and global product development.
Four in 10 millennials said they want the chance to influence products they use, based on a recent survey by Edelman 8095.
A recent Nielsen survey shows more than half of cell phone subscribers use smart-phones and two-thirds of newly activated phones can run apps. There are more than 1 billion smartphones globally, a number that is expected to double by 2015.
More than 55 billion apps have been downloaded globally, and American users have an average of 67 apps on their devices, Nielsen found.
A recent Frost & Sullivan study shows that one in five survey respondents acknowledge using apps while driving with absolutely no connection to the vehicle.
“With an even faster adoption rate of smartphones, there is a need for a renewed focus on voice control for the unique capabilities of these devices,” Thai-Tang said.
FORD
It’s unclear how and whether the automakers will generate revenue from their new software. But using independent developers will cost less than hiring their own employees.
General Motors will introduce a flexible app framework on a variety of 2014 models that allows customers to add apps.
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