Ford is covering all its bases when it comes to technology in cars

Thomson ReutersThe Ford logo is seen on a vehicle at Ford car plant in Craiova

Ford is trying to make sure that it doesn't miss out on anything in the technology revolution that's now sweeping through the car business.

Ford and Toyota said on Monday they'll adopt the same software to link smartphone apps to vehicle dashboard screens and invited other automakers to join them to counter Apple Inc and Google's push to control cars of the future.

Toyota, the world's largest automaker by vehicle sales, and Ford, the No. 2 U.S. automaker, said they will adopt a Ford-developed software called SmartDeviceLink, or SDL, as the standard for connecting smartphone apps to vehicle dashboard screens.

SDL technology integrates smartphones apps with vehicles through dashboard buttons, display screens and voice recognition technology. Using it as a standard for projecting navigation or music streaming apps from a driver's smartphone could help Ford and Toyota reduce dependence on Apple or Alphabet Inc's Google, company officials said.

However, Ford also just announced that it has updated it SYNC in-vehicle infotainment system to include both Apple CarPlay and Google's Android Auto.

This could be a case of making sure that that you both fight Silicon Valley - and join it. Apple and Google bring formidable weapons to the rapidly evolving battle for control of connected cars. They have armies of programmers, bulging cash reserves and deep experience in managing and profiting from consumer data.

Many automakers are adopting Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto systems to respond to customer demands for better connections between cars and smartphones. Ford has now joined that movement, alongside Detroit rival GM, which offers CarPlay and Android Auto in most of its vehicles.

(Reporting by Joe White; Editing by Alan Crosby)