Ford Offers Smartwatch Integration to Hybrid, Electric Owners

Unless you were Dick Tracy, the only thing a fella used to be able to glean by glancing at his wrist was the time. Years later, the apex of functional jewelry was the Casio calculator watch. My how times have changed with advent of the smartwatch, and Ford is catering to the early adopters of the still-nascent gadgetry. Owners of C-Max Energi, Focus Electric and Fusion Energi electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles can now download an update for the MyFord Mobile app that unlocks some useful capabilities.

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“The app gives drivers the ability to quickly check important data like available range before leaving on a journey — without having to access the mobile application on their smartphone,” David Hatton, manager of Ford’s connected vehicle and services, said in a statement. “The app can also notify users when their car is fully charged, helping a driver be courteous to other electric-vehicle owners so they can free up the charging spot or avoid fees applied at some charging stations when you overrun your time after the charge is complete.”

In addition to range and charge status, smartwatch app capabilities include:

• Preheating or pre-cooling the cabin remotely
• Locking or unlocking the doors
• Accessing the mileage summary
• Getting a last-trip summary that provides a personal driving-efficiency score and percentage of electric vehicle miles driven
• Receiving walking or driving directions back to the parked car
• Locating nearby charging stations via Google Maps with a pinch/zoom interface

Smartwatch users can get the update from both the Apple App and Google Play stores for the Apple Watch and Android Wear devices, respectively. The apps were specifically designed for use with smartwatches and to complement the MyFord Mobile platform; they accommodate both round and rectangular watch faces.

Ford isn’t the first automaker with a keen eye on smartwatch integration. Earlier this year, for example, Hyundai announced that its Blue Link app enables drivers of properly equipped models to access functions like remote start and stop, door locks, lights and horn, car finder and roadside assistance without having to fumble with their phone. The feature debuted for use with Android Wear only, with Apple Watch integration to follow.