• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, June 10, 2010

Google and Microsoft engineers will need to work together to provide applications and services for Ford's Sync in-car entertainment platform. At least for now, confirms Scott Kelly, digital marketing manager at Ford. Kelly shed light on the agreement announced earlier this week to bring Google Maps into the car. Both Google and Microsoft will need to make nice with MapQuest engineers, too, as AOL's brand continues to be an option in Ford's cars.

Ford engineers are working to improve an API that will bypass the automaker's product development team working on Sync applications. Long term, it will allow app developers to build products that talk directly to the car rather than rely on Ford's engineers to make the connection.

Ford will allow developers to upload the apps to the iTunes store or the Android marketplace, giving consumers more choices to search for and download to their phone. Potentially, any app in those stores could have the ability to talk with Sync, Kelly says.

Earlier this week, Microsoft began allowing application developers to download the Bing Map App SDK and build apps to submit to the Bing Map App Gallery. One of 32 apps available at launch comes from EveryScape, which gives people a 3D experience inside restaurants. Kelly says Ford has an eye on technology like this and could take advantage of something similar if Google or others decide to offer a compatible service.

Imagine taking the power of Google and Microsoft applications and integrating them into the car. "It has potential for the future," Kelly says. "We are looking at all possibilities."

Kelly admits the car is the last place anyone should use a mobile device while driving, but admits Ford knows consumers want to remain connected to their mobile devices. It comes down to making it safe with voice activiation, he says.

For example, Pandora is making music available in the car through mobile devices. Later this year, Pandora will offer a voice active application for Sync. The Pandora application on the iPhone or Android device will stream into the car through the audio system. Through mobile, Ford plans to safely bring in a variety of experiences into the cars later this year through Sync.