First, there was audio entertainment, then the option of video, and then Tesla took the in-car entertainment game to a new level by having playable video games on its infotainment system, but now Ford will introduce a unique, family-friendly feature that you won’t find in any other electric vehicle. Ford and Lincoln vehicles will soon be able to access the Stingray Karaoke app, which will allow passengers to sing along with their favorite songs. This feature will be available starting on the Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E. It will later expand to the 2025 Explorer, 2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2025 Aviator, and 2024 Nautilus.
“Our goal at Ford is to continue to improve the ownership experience for customers by delivering experiences like Stingray Karaoke that ultimately bring joy. The Ford and Stingray teams worked closely to bring the app to Ford owners so they can make memories with their friends and family no matter where they are on their journey, and we can’t wait to hear about these stories.”
– Chet Dhruna, Connect and Engage General Manager, Ford Motor Company
How It Works
The karaoke app can display song lyrics on the central infotainment system, but only if the vehicle is parked, whether charging or not. If the vehicle is in motion, passengers can scan a QR code via smartphone to pull up the karaoke experience without having to download a dedicated app. The phone will then show the lyrics and allow the passenger to change the song. Ford says there will be a large selection of music, including Rock, Country, R&B, Latin, Pop, K Pop, and J Pop, so you won’t have to listen to your passengers ruin Don’t Stop Believing on repeat. Hip-hop fans will have to go a capella.
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The app is smart enough to detect when a passenger is in the front seat and buckled before displaying the QR code, so you won’t be able to fool it. This sounds like a fun way to pass the time during a charging session on a family road trip, in addition to the other games that are already included on Ford vehicles.
How To Get It
If you don’t have one of the aforementioned Ford or Lincoln vehicles, there is no timetable yet available for when your car will get the Stingray Karaoke app. For a more detailed list of which vehicles are eligible, you can visit the Ford website. The F-150 Lightning will be the first vehicle in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe to get it, so long as it has the SYNC 4A infotainment system, which comes on the Platinum and Flash models. You will also need to have an active Ford or Lincoln Premium Connectivity plan, or connect to Wi-Fi.
While Tesla helped bring the idea of true in-car entertainment to the fore with games, the Blue Oval has plans to take things further; though it’s only a patent for now, future Ford vehicles may come with a built-in projector to play HD games on a garage door or other flat surface.
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