AppLink is a suite of APIs that provide the ability for mobile developers to extend the command and control of a mobile application to the in-vehicle Human Machine Interface (HMI). AppLink transfers the normal functionality processed by touching a mobile device screen in to the familiar vehicle controls such as voice commands, steering wheel and radio buttons, and capacitive touch screens.
The applications run entirely on the mobile device without the need to install any software from the apps in the vehicle head unit. The AppLink APIs exchange program data as well as command and control information over a known transport layer allowing the SYNC system to exchange messages with any AppLink enabled application in a predetermined format. This template approach removes the burden from developers of having to recreate any UI on the vehicle display. This technology is similar to how Bluetooth devices and digital media are integrated to work on various production platforms.

Sygic Truck Navigation. Sygic is the first mobile navigation app creator to take advantage of Ford’s AppLink™ capability to move mobile navigation from the phone screen to the in-vehicle touch screen. Available in more than 150 countries and about 40 languages, Sygic technology is optimized to work seamlessly with Ford SYNC 3 on both.

1. Trucker Path Most popular trucker app. 950,000+ truckers rely on Trucker Path to find vital information while on the road. Whether it’s truck stops, available parking, fuel prices or weigh station status, our app drives the trucking community with update information.
2. Learn all about your Ford vehicle on the Official Ford Owner Site! Schedule Service.Get Discounts & Coupons. Locate A Dealer. Log Into FordPass. Find Your Owner Manuals. Watch How-To Videos. Find SYNC & Support Advice.

SYNC is an integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system embedded in Ford and Lincoln vehicles. SYNC handles all of the commands sent from an AppLink application and delivers the intended message inside the vehicle. All UI including commands, display requests, vehicle data authorization, and responses are managed by the SYNC system on behalf of the mobile application, and communicated over AppLink.

SYNC AppLink, revoutionizing the way you interact with your vehicle.

All over the world, people are using apps while in their vehicles. These apps reside on mobile devices and require some level of interaction such as locating the device, picking it up, entering a lock code, looking at the screen, tapping, swiping, or scrolling on the screen. AppLink aims to keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, removing the device interaction completely.
Users build their app habits outside of the vehicle and then want to bring these same habits with them while traveling in the car. At the same time, in-vehicle user habits such as using voice commands, knowing where the buttons are located through muscle memory, and using large visual displays when appropriate, are ingrained in drivers. AppLink is a simple way to provide users a way to bring their favorite content in to the vehicle by combining the app features with the vehicle controls.
App developers, mobile operators, handset manufacturers and auto OEMs all need to work together to find ways to ensure a responsible balance between the habits of using a mobile application and the accountability of operating a vehicle.
Ford connectivity solutions, including AppLink, work to eliminate distractions to a driver, while still allowing an appreciable level of enjoyment from the millions of apps that are used every day. We encourage you to work together with Ford in an effort to keep driver’s hands on the wheel and eyes on the road by AppLink enabling your mobile app.

The resources on developer.ford.com are intended to provide developers the ability to AppLink enable current commercially available mobile applications. In-vehicle app usage should provide a responsible user experience that extends the command and control of habitual features within an application to the vehicle HMI.
We also understand that developers may recognize opportunities to utilize the AppLink resources to create new applications. Ford encourages new and exciting solutions in areas such as safety, entertainment, and navigation and hopes to facilitate the developer community to explore and innovate in ways that can contribute to the proud history of leading innovation and technology here at Ford.
Ford will not accept the submission of any ideas, apps, proposals, inventions, or suggestions in any way, shape or form that may indicate that Ford may include its brand, purchase an idea, intellectual property, or product from you or any supplier, vendor, partner, person or company. Please refer to your Developer Agreement to understand the ramifications of submitting any non-commercially available ideas to Ford through this site.
It is your responsibility to ensure the nature of any submissions made to Ford or posted within community areas of this site adhere to the agreement entered in to between you and Ford when you created your profile.
Should you want to submit an idea to Ford that does not include simply AppLink-enabling a third party mobile application you MUST visit here and follow all of the instructions contained therein. Ford receives thousands of ideas each year and the governance for reviewing all submissions or requests are handled at the link listed above and is not connected to developer.ford.com.

AppLink communicates only with the mobile application installed on the user’s device using the Bluetooth protocol. This means that there is no additional modem connection associated with the vehicle and the wireless network. Any network usage requirements are the responsibility of the application, the device, and the network. So any limitations that users normally encounter while using an application on a given network will still be present while connected to SYNC via AppLink.
Just as in every other use case, network coverage and signal strength will have an impact on the productivity of an application. Interfacing with a vehicle does not add or reduce any signal strength.
If an application streams audio content or requires network awareness in any fashion, the same results and limitations seen normally with in-vehicle use will be recognized when connected over AppLink.

Honk your horn, bark 10-4 into your CB, buckle up—and don’t forget your smartphone. You want to know exactly where you’re going, right?

There are more apps than ever designed to help truckers who are in it for the long haul. We’re taking a look at some of the most popular ones to help make those long road trips just a bit easier.

We’ll consider the total number of downloads for the apps, how well they are reviewed and what sets them apart.

(Note: while these apps are very useful for truckers on the road, we urge caution when using them while sitting behind the wheel. Be mindful of state and local laws pertaining to driving while using a cell phone.)

So before you set out on your next long haul trip, make sure you have these apps on your phone:

(Click on a link below to jump to that section.)

Path Pro
KeepTruckin
NOAA Radar
Waze
Gas Buddy
Need Something More Advanced?

Trucker Path Pro

One of the most popular and fully featured mobile apps built for truckers, Trucker Path Pro is essentially a more advanced version of the maps app already on your phone. It highlights trucker-centric locations such as weigh stations, truck stops, hotels, truck washes and rest areas.

Trucker Path Pro offers the unique ability for truckers to advertise any empty space they have on their truck and their route—effectively acting as a matchmaker with shippers—so they can avoid driving “empty miles.” This function is free for truckers, while the shipper is charged a fee to use the service.

Fast Facts:

• Available on iOS and Android devices
• iOS App Store rating: 5 stars (2,208 reviews)
• Google Play rating: 4.7 stars (25,051 votes)
• Price: Free

KeepTruckin

This handy app helps you stay on top of governmental regulations pertaining to scheduling and driving time. Approved by the Department of Transportation, KeepTruckin allows users to track the miles and time they are driving, ensuring that they are hitting the requirements for sleep time and breaks.

Fast Facts:

• Available on iOS and Android devices
• iOS App Store rating: 5 stars (1,641 reviews)
• Google Play rating: 4.7 stars (5,296 votes)
• Price: Free, with monthly subscription for electronic logging device (ELD). Hardware support starting at $20/month

NOAA Radar

Forget your smartphone’s built-in weather app. The NOAA app is one of the best choices for tracking weather and providing real-time and future weather patterns. As the weather data is culled from the U.S. government’s weather monitoring systems, it is by far one of the most accurate weather radar apps on the market.

The app includes weather information such as snow depth, as well as hybrid weather/geographic maps and accurate seven-day forecasts. Drivers can enable push notifications to alert them when inclement weather is approaching.

Fast Facts:

• Available on iOS and Android devices
• iOS App Store rating: 4.5 (1,900 reviews)
• Google Play rating: 4.5 (3,658 votes)
• Price: $1.99

Apps To Download For Ford Truck Accessories

Waze

Apps To Download For Ford Truck Parts

More advanced than Google or Apple’s native maps applications, Waze features real-time updates concerning road conditions including inclement weather, accidents and traffic jams. It also provides alternate routes when the original route has been impeded.

Fast Facts:

• Available on iOS and Android devices
• iOS App Store rating: 4.5 stars (4,429 reviews)
• Google Play rating: 4.5 stars (‎4,872,792 votes)
• Price: Free

Gas Buddy

Become your back office accountant’s best friend by always finding the cheapest gas on the road. With Gas Buddy, users can find up-to-date prices for gas at nearby stations. The data for gas prices is crowdsourced by users, who are incentivized to post updated prices by being entered into a raffle to win—you guessed it—free gas.

Fast Facts:

• Available on iOS and Android devices
• iOS App Store rating: 3.5 stars (‎13 reviews)
• Google Play rating: 4.5 stars (‎689,815 votes)
• Price: Free

Ford Mobile App

Need Something More Advanced?

Apps To Download For Ford Truck Games

Smartphone apps can’t handle all of a trucking operation’s needs. If your fleet needs more advanced routing, accounting, compliance or fleet maintenance features, you’ll want to implement commercial fleet management software.

If you have any questions about the best apps for truckers, or about fleet management software, feel free to email me at forrest@softwareadvice.com.