Ford on the hunt for Tesla with the inclusion of games and Alexa in its infotainment systems

Ford is paying special attention to keeping its cars up to date, so they don’t become obsolete after a short time. How do they do that? Through over-the-air updates.

Just as our phones, computers or even televisions are updated from time to time, the multimedia systems in our cars are too. Tesla is one of the pioneers in keeping the systems in its vehicles current, even including games, in case, for example, we have to wait for the car to charge and have nothing better to do.

In response, Ford has released a new software update for its vehicles as a counter to Elon Musk’s brand, starting with the electric SUV Mustang Match-E and continuing with the flagship pick-up of its brand, the Ford F-150.

Always up to date

The advantage of this type of update is that it allows new features to be added to the vehicles over time, and to improve them even after purchase.

This new system from the American brand is called Ford Power-Up, which brings, as the brand already announced, a new sketching app and games. Both of these were already included by Tesla in its vehicles.

The other major new feature of this update is the integration of Amazon Alexa into the multimedia systems. The integration with Alexa will allow Ford users to play audiobooks, place orders on Amazon, search for and enter locations, and much more. In addition, it will be possible to start or stop the engine or lock and unlock the car’s doors using voice commands from home.

According to Don Butler, executive director of Connected Vehicles and Services at Ford, “users will be able to start their vehicles from home and manage their smart home features while behind the wheel.” For example, if our home is set up for it, we will be able to close or open the blinds, turn on the heating, check the weather forecast, or even have it tell us a joke. All of this from the steering wheel of our Ford F-150 or our Mustang Match-E.

Two-phase update

The integration of Amazon Alexa will take place in two phases. The first will be available at the end of May, and will connect our car to our home through devices such as Amazon Echo, Echo Dot or Amazon Tap.

The second phase of the integration of Alexa is scheduled for this summer, allowing us to use a wide variety of features without taking our eyes off the road. The most important reason this integration is being carried out.

This Ford Power-Up update has already been sent to more than 100,000 customers across the two models that will receive this improvement: the F-150 and the Mustang Match-E.