Ford's SmartLink Plug-in Modernizes Old Cars With Wi-fi, Smartphone Alerts, Remote Start
Ford plans to offer an aftermarket device that will give older models access to new technology like remote start, 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and smartphone alerts.
According to the automaker, Ford SmartLink will plug in to the OBD-II port of 2010-2016 model year Ford and Lincoln cars, allowing access to remote start, lock, and unlock, Wi-Fi access for up to eight devices, and smartphone alerts for vehicle health, security, and location.
Ford has not yet released any pricing information on the SmartLink device, but it has announced that it will be available this summer at Ford and Lincoln dealerships.
According to Carscoops, the new plug-in is less likely to cause interference than third-party systems.
[Image: Ford Motor Company]
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Great, maybe next Ford could get working on the Android/Apple updates for Sync3 owners who bought the 1.0 versions. According to Ford's marketing, the great thing about Sync3 is that you could update it from home over Wifi. Yeah, turns out not so much. Contact your dealer for details.
Well, I'll have to get mom and dad to upgrade to a smartphone first, but they would really appreciate the remote start. Then again, that alone should be able to be added to their 2012 without this device, through Ford's official accessories. Am I right? They don't need WiFi, the only one who would use it is me, and its very rare that I'm in their car and not driving it myself. They sure as hell don't need to schedule service appointments. I'm still steamed over the $900 100k service quote. I have done all of the oil changes to that car with the exception of the first, which was free, and one at the 60k mark, because I wanted a multi-point inspection done since the car hadn't had one since new, and it was offered as a promotion with a rebate at the time. I see no reason to start over paying a dealer to do what I can do. If anything, I will get an independent shop to do the plugs (aluminum heads, I'd never hear the end of it if I f'ed em up lol) and maybe the coolant flush since I don't have a place to safely do it where I wouldn't be spilling it on the ground.
With quality tanking, Ford comes up with this gimmick? Must be the Way Forward...
A constantly connected device with 4G access plugged into an OBD-II port? Adding remote start capability as well? What could possibly go wrong?!