Ford has announced an SDK that can be used by developers who want to modify their smartphone apps to work in cars.

The car giant has also launched a developer website https://secure.syncmyride.com/Own/Modules/Developer/Subscribe.aspx

that will show developers how to create and modify apps. Both the website and SDK are still under development and targeted for released later in the year. The website will have documentation, example apps, reference libraries and a developer forum.

The APIs will provide the means to create a voice UI for your apps that will work with Ford’s in-car speech recognition system (SYNC). You’ll also be able to write information to appear on the radio head display or the car’s touchscreen, and have it read out using the text-to-speech engine.

In addition to using the speech recognition system, the apps will be able to use the car’s menu system to get input, as well as button presses from the radio and steering wheel controls, and vehicle data such as the speed and GPS location.

According to Ford, developers have already submitted details of more than 1000 apps for consideration.