In recent years auto makers have come to realize the importance of in car electronics and infotainment systems to their customers. Not surprisingly a few years ago auto makers began unveiling many of these innovations at the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas, NV, where they might get more attention from potential tech savvy customers than if they unveiled them at the bigger auto shows. We found some of the latest additions explained over at Automedia.com.

This year at CES Ford revealed four new apps, Kaliki, Glympse, Aha, and Rhapsody will soon be integrated into the Sync system, adding more services to the system when you connect to it via your Android powered smart phone, or plug in your iPhone. SYNC which was developed for Ford by Microsoft currently runs a variety of commands from hands free calling, to playing music, and adjusting various vehicle controls such as climate settings. It also handles vehicle health monitoring and other functions.

Automedia.com reports:

“Kaliki is a relatively new (and free) “audio newsstand” app that sets itself apart by offering professionally-read newspaper and magazine articles read aloud to you on your smartphone. Their current content partners include Men’s Fitness, Los Angeles Times, Ok! magazine, TV Guide and other print publications.

The Aha app combines several web services rolled into one platform. A user can listen to content ranging from audiobooks to a variety of some 30,000 radio programs as well as linking up their Facebook and Twitter accounts to receive audio transcripts of status updates. This app is also voice-activated via the SYNC steering wheel controls and is available free for iPhone and Android smartphones.”

Glympse is an app that can allow you to update your friends or family on your current whereabouts. Glympse can report your exact location back to your friends to their phone, or to social media such as Twitter, or Facebook for you. Your followers using the app can then track your progress as you make it to your destination.

Rhapsody is of course a popular subscriber based music service available for smartphones. By integrating it into SYNC, driver’s have a broader range of music options.

With the next generation of car buyers increasingly interested in technology, it is even more important than ever for auto makers to integrate new high tech options into their cars as a selling point. As Ford continues to improve the SYNC system it gives them yet another selling point as they target young tech savvy buyers.