Ford (NYSE: F) Extends Sync API to Additional Developers

Ford Motor Co (NYSE: F) is releasing its software development kit for its Sync technology to a number of additional companies.

To date, two internet radio providers, Pandora and Stitcher, as well as Twitter-application OpenBeak have built applications for Ford’s in-car Sync system and now Ford hopes that additional partners will build applications for its platform. The software development kit (SDK) that Ford has allows developers to make use of the voice recognition capability of Sync and buttons on the steering wheel.

The Dearborn, MI-based company hopes that customers will be able to find and install new applications to their Sync system via existing app stores on their phone. Ford will allow developers to add their apps to the Android marketplace and Blackberry’s App World at first, but has plans to allow developers to build applications for the iPhone App Store and Microsoft’s Windows Phone Marketplace.

Ford has not opened their SDK to the public, but has issued their SDK to a number of companies. Ford has not announced which companies have been given the SDK. “Our first approach will be evaluating existing apps that fit into categories that we think are appropriate for safe in-car use,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of global product development at Ford.

Kuzak, speaking at a CTIA conference in San Francisco, said that he hoped developers would build applications which provide useful internet access while keeping drivers safe. Kuzak cited that an application which would provide information about dangerous intersections would be particularly helpful. “It would be like a talking traffic sign that warns you of the history of an intersection,” he said.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is a producer of cars and trucks. Ford and its subsidiaries also engage in other businesses, including financing vehicles. It operates under two segments: Automotive and Financial Services. The Automotive segment includes the operations of Ford North America, Ford South America, Ford Europe, Ford Asia Pacific Africa and Volvo. The Financial services include the operations of Ford Motor Credit Company and Other Financial Services. In August 2010, the Company completed the sale of its Swedish Volvo Car unit and related assets to China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co.

Shares of Ford traded up 2.55% during trading on Friday.