The in-car navigation system is becoming less of a necessity thanks to new smartphone connectivity systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that make it easy to display real-time navigation apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps on the vehicle's center screen.

Announced at CES 2018, Ford is giving its customers even more alternatives to the onboard nav system by integrating the Waze traffic and navigation app directly into the automaker's Sync 3 infotainment system. This allows Ford customers to plug in their Waze-equipped smartphone into the USB port and have the app displayed on the center touchscreen display, allowing users to operate the app through the larger touchscreen and hear route information and alerts through the vehicle's speakers.

All Waze features will be accessible through Ford's integration including Talk to Waze, a voice-command feature, and HOV route support.

See all 2 photos

"With the flexibility of our SYNC 3 software and AppLink, customers can easily use Waze to get all the traffic and navigation help they need - on a big screen and without having to fiddle around with their phones while driving," said Don Butler, executive director of Connected Vehicle and Services, in a release.

Once the capability is launched in the coming weeks, Ford vehicles (2018 model year) equipped with Sync 3 version 3.0 or greater will have the option to run Waze on the center touchscreen. In order for other Sync 3 equipped Ford vehicles to enable Waze functionality, owners can update their system via an over-the-air update or through the USB port. Android smartphone users can currently use Waze through the Android Auto smartphone connectivity feature.

Ford also released the Ford+Alexa app at CES and plans to integrate iHeartRadio and WebEx functionality into Sync 3 soon.