Wireless, MFT, 3.5.1, SYNC and now 3.6.2

[GrySql]

I agree, the amount of hacking that can be easily done is astounding, even pharmacy records. One article stated that over 1/2 of all private computers have, and are, being hacked.

-

So, back to the issue - I'm still wondering what the wireless in our FFH's can actually achieve, why the Owner's Manual has all that Wireless instructional rhetoric and the MFT has all that software devoted to it.

It's been said by the Ford Flex Forum's FordIVTeam Rep that it's envisioned primary purpose was for a USB Modem dongle - but most are not compatible.

 

Last night I was logged on to my FFH's Sync Network using WPA2 security that the FFH provided and was surfing the internet, but what purpose does that serve?

Running my car to access the internet is not the best way to do that sort of thing.

 

I have no real need for it and this whole exercise is just because I'm curious - but someone at Ford must have a better answer than we've heard so far.

[FordIVTteam]

Hi everybody :)!

 

I've seen some great explanations of how the MyFord Touch WiFi feature works throughout this thread. I wanted to step in and confirm some things.

 

MyFord Touch with V3.6.2 installed does currently have a character limit of 10 digits for the WiFi password. You may have seen an 8 digit limit on previous software versions. On some other forums, I've seen owners asking about downloading an update while the MyFord Touch system is connected to a WiFi hotspot. As of now, the only way to update your MyFord Touch software from home is by downloading to a USB from your account at: www.Support.Ford.com Although MyFord Touch will allow you to connect to a home network, there isn't much benefit in doing so. It is intended to acquire a signal from your smartphone or a USBMobile Broadband device.

 

Here is a brief description of how the WiFi hotspot feature is designed to work in your vehicle: http://support.ford.com/sync-technology/bluetooth-tethering-sync-myford-touch

 

This video includes helpful information about each type of connection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEnMNrKpqUw

 

Our compatibility chart does not include a list of tested mobile broadband devices, so I am unable to provide information about how a specific USB device will interact with MyFord Touch. You may find this chart helpful, so I'll still post it: http://support.ford.com/sync-technology/device-compatibility-sync-myford-touch

Ford is always looking for ways to improve their products, so feel free to post any suggestions and new ideas here: http://social.ford.com/your-ideas/

Kim

[acdii]

Does it only work in park? If so, virtually useless for passengers to use it.

[hybridbear]

Does it only work in park? If so, virtually useless for passengers to use it.

The link Kim provided above says:

 

SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® turns your WiFi^®-enabled smartphone into an Internet access point for your passengers. They can go online while you drive and won’t disrupt your phone's connection to SYNC.

It wouldn't make sense to say "while you drive" if it only worked in Park. So hopefully that wording means it works "while you drive".

[GrySql]

"SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® turns your WiFi^®-enabled smartphone into an Internet access point for your passengers.

They can go online while you drive and won’t disrupt your phone's connection to SYNC."

 

Kim, the video was nice but I'm still a little fuzzy on getting the Sync Wireless to work as a Gateway (Access Point) while the car is driving.

Might you provide us with an explicit explanation of how this is done, step by step?

 

I have an Sprint iPhone 4 without 'tethering' available, how do I create a Gateway?

Edited August 19, 2014 by GrySql

[FordIVTteam]

Does it only work in park? If so, virtually useless for passengers to use it.

 

Like hybridbear mentioned, this feature does work while the vehicle is in motion. The connection must be set up while the Fusion is in park though. As a safety precaution, the keyboard will not be available while you're driving (it will also not be available to any passengers).

 

"SYNC^® with MyFord Touch^® turns your WiFi^®-enabled smartphone into an Internet access point for your passengers.

They can go online while you drive and won’t disrupt your phone's connection to SYNC."

 

Kim, the video was nice but I'm still a little fuzzy on getting the Sync Wireless to work as a Gateway (Access Point) while the car is driving.

Might you provide us with an explicit explanation of how this is done, step by step?

 

I have an Sprint iPhone 4 without 'tethering' available, how do I create a Gateway?

 

Since your phone does not have the tethering option, you won't be able to set up your iPhone as an internet access point while driving. You still have the option of using a USB mobile broadband device while driving if you have one.

 

I normally don't recommend connecting to a stationary Wi-Fi signal since you will lose that connection as soon as you drive away, but there are times when it is beneficial to connect to one. For example, some hotels will offer free internet access, but they will limit the number of devices that you are able to connect. If the vehicle is connected to the hotel's Wi-Fi signal, you can then connect multiple devices to the MyFord Touch system and access the internet through one secure connection. Keep in mind that this will only last while your car is in the parking lot. Once you drive away, you will no longer be able to access that connection.

 

Have you already checked with your mobile phone carrier to see if you have the option of making your phone into a hotspot? It sounds like this will be the most beneficial for you :).

 

Kim

Edited August 20, 2014 by FordIVTteam

[GrySql]

Have you already checked with your mobile phone carrier to see if you have the option of making your phone into a hotspot? It sounds like this will be the most beneficial for you :).

 

Kim

Up there a few posts I mentioned my iPhone used to have the Hotspot connection that could provide up to 6 connections, it doesn't now.

 

The question is: Why would I need Sync if I still had that option on my phone? It didn't interfere with my incoming calls when it was being accessed.

Would Sync be connected via Bluetooth and WiFi simultaneously so the Sync voice commands for my phone could be available at the same time?

 

I get it about connecting to a fixed network, I did that a few posts back. I even created a Gateway with my home network, fine and dandy.

 

Re your comment about USB mobile broadband devices as an option.

One member tried various USB modems and all were rejected except one company, which makes that a very limited option.

As Ford cannot provide a list of USB Modems that will work this leaves the entire in-car wireless up to the customer to figure out.

=

Ok, if my iPhone has a mobile broadband hotspot enabled or my Android has tethering enabled, how do I hook it up to Sync?

Is there a step by step guide for this?

[FordIVTteam]

Up there a few posts I mentioned my iPhone used to have the Hotspot connection that could provide up to 6 connections, it doesn't now.

 

The question is: Why would I need Sync if I still had that option on my phone? It didn't interfere with my incoming calls when it was being accessed.

Would Sync be connected via Bluetooth and WiFi simultaneously so the Sync voice commands for my phone could be available at the same time?

 

I get it about connecting to a fixed network, I did that a few posts back. I even created a Gateway with my home network, fine and dandy.

 

Re your comment about USB mobile broadband devices as an option.

One member tried various USB modems and all were rejected except one company, which makes that a very limited option.

As Ford cannot provide a list of USB Modems that will work this leaves the entire in-car wireless up to the customer to figure out.

=

Ok, if my iPhone has a mobile broadband hotspot enabled or my Android has tethering enabled, how do I hook it up to Sync?

Is there a step by step guide for this?

 

 

Since your iPhone allowed up to 6 connections, I only would have recommended tethering to MyFord Touch if you needed to connect 7 or more devices to the internet. This feature is more beneficial if a phone has a lower limit of connections allowed.

 

I wish I was able to provide a list of compatible mobile broadband devices, but I am unable to confirm specific models at this time. If you already own one of these, I suggest connecting it to your MyFord Touch system to check the compatibility. I wouldn't go out of your way to purchase one of these devices, since many of the wireless hotspots offered today do not require a USB connection.

 

To see a list of tested phones that will allow tethering, click the box on the left side of the page that says PHONE TETHERING: http://support.ford.com/sync-technology/device-compatibility-sync-myford-touch

 

You’ll need to refer to the phone’s manual to see how to set up tethering. You can probably guess that I’m no expert on the iPhone, but I'll try my best to give you an idea of how to connect one ;). From what I can gather, you’ll need to tap the SETTINGS icon on your phone’s home screen then choose SET UP PERSONAL HOTSPOT (unless you’ve already done this). Next, move the slider next to PERSONAL HOTSPOT so the green is showing. Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is turned on. On the MyFord Touch screen, press PHONE > SETTINGS > INTERNET DATA CONNECTION. You will see an option to select PAN if your phone supports this connection. Select this option if you'd like to connect.

 

Kim

[acdii]

I have internet in my Freestyle. LOL Whats funny is I installed a Kenwood DVD player in the Freestyle and it has more features than MFT, including App Link for the iphones.

[GrySql]

I have internet in my Freestyle. LOL Whats funny is I installed a Kenwood DVD player in the Freestyle and it has more features than MFT, including App Link for the iphones.

I'm glad the Kenwood worked out so well. :)

 

But, you know, this MFT/Sync WiFi fiasco isn't funny, it's disappointing at the very least.

[acdii]

I'm glad the Kenwood worked out so well. :)

 

But, you know, this MFT/Sync WiFi fiasco isn't funny, it's disappointing at the very least.

The whole MFT is disappointing. Especially when lesser cars like Fiesta and Focus without MFT have App links to control the phone, and the higher end cars do not. Major pet peeve on my part.

[GrySql]

Thought I'd revive this old Thread because today I actually found a use for the Sync Wireless in the MFT.

This afternoon I was sitting in our FFH in a shopping mall parking lot waiting for my wife to get more Christmas tree balls, we only have a 1.5 million of them now.

 

I was bored and was using my iPhone 5S but the Sprint signal was weak and the iPhone reported that a local store had Guest Wireless available. (I know, I could have had my phone use that signal but where is the challenge?)

 

I turned on the MFT, drilled down to Wireless, selected 'search' and it found the store's Guest Wireless, I had Sync log on - it did.

The car is now acting as a router for that store's wireless signal, I looked at my phone's wireless settings and sure enough, there was the Sync signal as an option I could use!

I had the iPhone connect to the Sync Wireless option and zoom, I was surfing the internet, can you believe it?

[SteveB_TX]

No, I don't believe it. You are waaay too old to know how to do that! :)

[GrySql]

No, I don't believe it. You are waaay too old to know how to do that! :)

Only when I look in a mirror... ;)

[Texasota]

No, I don't believe it. You are waaay too old to know how to do that! :)

I was just thinking the exact same thing. I am probably close to the same vintage as GrySql.

[murphy]

What's with the stereotype that old people don't know technology? I qualify as "old" and I spent my entire working career designing and testing computer peripheral equipment. There is more processing power in my wristwatch than the first mainframe computer I worked on. Ever see a 10 megabyte (not gigabyte) hard disk system that was the size of a washing machine and had hydraulic actuaters to move the heads?

;)

[mwr]

Ever see a 10 megabyte (not gigabyte) hard disk system that was the size of a washing machine and had hydraulic actuaters to move the heads?

How about IBM's first solid-state computer, the 1401, with a max RAM of 4KB (not MB).

[mwr]

Thought I'd revive this old Thread because today I actually found a use for the Sync Wireless in the MFT.

This afternoon I was sitting in our FFH in a shopping mall parking lot waiting for my wife to get more Christmas tree balls, we only have a 1.5 million of them now.

 

I was bored and was using my iPhone 5S but the Sprint signal was weak and the iPhone reported that a local store had Guest Wireless available. (I know, I could have had my phone use that signal but where is the challenge?)

 

I turned on the MFT, drilled down to Wireless, selected 'search' and it found the store's Guest Wireless, I had Sync log on - it did.

The car is now acting as a router for that store's wireless signal, I looked at my phone's wireless settings and sure enough, there was the Sync signal as an option I could use!

I had the iPhone connect to the Sync Wireless option and zoom, I was surfing the internet, can you believe it?

Well done! But in a more serious vein, since you (as you said) could have had your phone use the wireless network directly, is there a useful reason for the MFT wireless feature?

[SteveB_TX]

Wow! I feel like a spring chicken compared to you guys! ;)

[Former Expedition owner]

Well done! But in a more serious vein, since you (as you said) could have had your phone use the wireless network directly, is there a useful reason for the MFT wireless feature?

There was supposed to be a feature where you could plug in a USB Internet stick and provide a hotspot in your car.

 

I have such a stick for work, but could not ever get it to work. The two sticks I've had in the almost two years I've owned my HyTi both were not "compatible" with MFT.

 

I started a thread a while ago discussing my attempts to get it to work.

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/6622-usb-internet-stick-so-my-ford-touch-creates-wifi-hotspot/

[GrySql]

Well done! But in a more serious vein, since you (as you said) could have had your phone use the wireless network directly, is there a useful reason for the MFT wireless feature?

You mean to say that just getting it to actually do something isn't useful?

 

We'll figure out why it's useful soon, right now I'm basking in the glow of achievement - LOL!!

 

 

(Added: See page 387, etc in your 2015 Owner's Manual.)

Edited December 5, 2014 by GrySql

[Texasota]

Wow! I feel like a spring chicken compared to you guys! ;)

In todays world there are not enough venues where spring chickens and old geezers can mix it up together. This forum is great!

[corncobs]

This forum is great!

I couldn't agree more!

 

I wonder about the actual range of age we cover. 50 years ?? between spring and fall ;)