Ford Plans Major Unveil at Consumer Electronics Show

In addition to Ford CEO Allen Mulally participating at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, Ford will make a major unveil regarding its Ford Sync AppLink, Ford’s industry-exclusive in-car, voice-controlled connectivity system for smartphone apps.

Ford will be showcasing Roximity, the winner of the Ford Sync App Developer Challenge, showing its smartphone app at the 2012 International CES as part of Ford display. Roximity, a location-aware daily deal notification service, is being considered for future integration with Sync AppLink.

The 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show has become an alternative to the North American International Auto Show for most major manufacturers because the electronics in our vehicles are major profit centers for them. Also, it helps the brands' marketing capabilities to be seen as technological innovators to connect with Gen Y and Millenial buyers.

Just to show its technological hipness, Ford has also teamed with GoGo, which provides in-flight Internet access, to provide registered media with 30 minutes of in-flight access for all flights into and out of Las Vegas from Jan. 7 to Jan. 13. (You need to be a registered CES attendee.)

Roximity reflects Ford’s aim to forge a more open collaborative bond with the wireless, consumer electronics and app developer communities to create a safer and smarter in-car connectivity experience that leverages the mobile devices customers own and love, said Julius Marchwicki, SYNC AppLink product manager.

Roximity is one of the five new apps Ford is presenting at the 2012 International CES. The Roximity team isn’t the only party interested in developing SYNC-compatible apps. Through Ford’s SYNC Mobile Application Developer Network website at www.syncmyride.com/developer, developers have a place to initiate contact with Ford regarding their app ideas. More than 3,000 developers have expressed interest in creating SYNC-enabled apps.

“Ford is always looking for good app ideas and just like with Roximity, we will work closely with chosen partners to give them access to the SYNC API (application programming interface) and help them develop their app,” said Marchwicki.

For additional information about Roximity, please see a short video.

Other highlights of the Ford presence at CES include the totally new 2013 Fusion - the Official Car of CES. The 2012 Focus Electric, which goes on sale in limited delivery in spring 2012, and a wide array of smart features will be showcased along with other new technologies.

All-electric, plug-in and hybrid Ford vehicles will all be on display. So will MyFord® Mobile, the award-winning app that helps Ford Electric Vehicle drivers maximize their gasoline-free driving.

On Wednesday, Ford CEO Alan Mulally will be among top executives gathered for an informative Innovation Power Panel discussion about integrating digital life and your vehicle. Also participating in this high-powered panel are Xerox chairman and CEO Ursula Burns and Verizon president and CEO Lowell McAdam. The CES Innovation Power Panel will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 11 in the Las Vegas Hilton Theater.

The 2012 CES will feature more than 2,700 global technology companies unveiling the latest consumer technology products and services across 15 major product categories including the latest in audio, automotive electronics, connected home technologies, digital imaging/photography, electronic gaming, entertainment/content and more. For more information on the 2012 International CES, visit CESweb.org.