Next-Gen Ford Infotainment Gets Upgraded Apple Maps Layout

January 22, 2024 12:58 pm

While General Motors plans to ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity in its future EV models – instead opting to go with its own infotainment system developed in partnership with Google – Ford remains committed to both third-party software applications. In fact, Apple users – specifically – have been treated to a number of updates in recent years. This morning, Ford revealed its new infotainment system that was developed in conjunction with Google, but it will also feature an upgraded Apple Maps layout as well, according to 9to5Mac.

That publication was able to check out the new “Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience” – as it’s currently known – in person, and as previously noted, was quick to point out that FoMoCo isn’t exactly ditching Apple CarPlay compatibility. In fact, this new infotainment system not only retains that functionality, but is also introduces a new, upgraded Apple Maps layout, to boot.

For starters, Ford’s new software adds support for dual-screen Apple Maps for the first time, meaning that the interface for this app will start out in the infotainment screen before expanding into the instrument cluster display as well. Apple originally added this capability back in 2019, but this will mark the first time The Blue Oval will take advantage of it.

In the short clip seen here, we get to see this feature in action in the redesigned 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, which will be one of the first models to debut Ford’s new infotainment system. In this case, Apple Maps takes the place of Google Maps in the crossover’s panoramic display, blending The Blue Oval’s design with Apple’s and even co-existing as a tile alongside Ford’s native apps. However, in other applications with a separate digital instrument cluster, this will look a bit different, with Apple Maps appearing on that display while CarPlay is fully open on the infotainment screen.

We’ll have more on Ford’s new infotainment system soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.

By Brett Foote

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.