Ford announced today, at MWC Barcelona, two new smartphone navigation app integrations designed to help drivers find their way.

Building on a suite of in-vehicle apps for the Ford SYNC 3 infotainment platform, the navigation services will give Ford owners confidence that they will arrive at precisely the right location, while taking the most appropriate route for their type of vehicle.

Sygic Truck Navigation is the first to bring features tailored for commercial vehicles to an in-dashboard display, helping vans avoid narrow roads or getting stuck beneath low bridges. Fully offline 3D‑mapping aids navigation even in rural areas without mobile coverage; the app can also take account of the larger dimensions common with commercial vehicles – such as a high-roof Ford Transit van towing a trailer – to help navigate around narrow roads and bridges. Sygic Truck Navigation also includes configurations for camper vans and motorhomes, providing optimised routing and custom points of interest including camping areas.

what3words helps people to find places quickly with the power of just three words. what3words has divided the entire planet into three‑metre squares and, employing a unique algorithm, has given each its own simple three‑word address. For example, ///gently.talents.quibble points to the Ford stand in Hall 1 at MWC Barcelona. With the new SYNC 3 AppLink integration, Ford drivers with the what3words iOS or Android app will be able to navigate to a precise location – be it a specific entrance on an industrial estate or a meeting spot for a mountain bike ride in the country – simply by saying the three‑word address as a voice command.

“For commercial vehicle drivers working from a mobile office, on‑the‑go connectivity is now more important than ever,” said Don Butler, executive director, Connected Vehicle Platform and Product, Ford. “With the addition of what3words and Sygic Professional Navigation to the AppLink and wider SmartDeviceLink ecosystem, Ford is providing important new tools to help get the job done, enabling drivers to navigate to their destinations – wherever they may be – quickly, confidently and accurately.”

Ford’s SYNC 3 AppLink infotainment system allows drivers to use supported smartphone apps on their vehicle’s integrated touchscreen.

In addition to the features enabled through SYNC 3, Ford is introducing FordPass Connect on-board modem technology on its latest Transit and Ranger products.

FordPass Connect lets drivers and passengers stay connected throughout their journey, just as they would at home; a 4G LTE‑powered Wi‑Fi hotspot provides super‑fast in‑vehicle internet access for as many as ten devices up to 15 metres outside the vehicle.

The on-board modem also allows fleet operators to improve vehicle utilisation and optimise running costs through solutions like the new Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services products that are launching during 2019.

Today, Ford also revealed that TIDAL, the artist-owned music streaming service with HiFi audio capabilities, is arriving in Ford vehicles in Europe.

Other apps already in the SYNC 3 AppLink ecosystem include community‑based traffic and navigation app, Waze; Cisco Webex, which enables drivers to join in and participate in meetings on the go with voice commands; and Radioplayer, which lets drivers listen live or on demand to programmes and podcasts.