Ford dumps MyFord Touch name in revamp of infotainment system

[darrelld]

 

[hybridbear]

Is this a 2016 Fusion Titanium in the video? I see that it has Titanium seats & lights & PBS. But, it has a completely different radio/HVAC interface with more buttons. Did Ford make this change already for 2015 or is it just in the 2016s with Sync 3? The volume & tune knobs look the same as the Fusion SE with MFT now, but the eject & FF/RR buttons are different (see 0:19 & 0:59 in video). The HVAC buttons are also completely different (see 0:21 & 1:03). You can see the new center console layout in the zoomed out view at 1:12 & 1:18 in the video.

[hybridbear]

This article is a pretty good review of the new features.

[darrelld]

This article is a pretty good review of the new features.

 

Nice upgrade, the UI response is excellent. Finally appears applink is coming to those who spent the extra money on Nav. There is no answer to the question of upgrades for current owners but no comment tells me no.

[corncobs]

Sync 3 seems to have a lot of the features we have seen on members wish list. Definitely a step forward and definitely better than the MS base.

 

Hopefully the still have the home screen with the four quadrants I'm a big fan of that layout.

[KLH]

Here's a pic-based overview...

 

http://www.cnet.com/pictures/ford-sync-3-makes-its-debut-pictures/

 

I wonder if '13/'14 FFH drivers will be able to simply replace the headunit to get it.

Edited December 11, 2014 by KLH

[srogers]

Sync 3 seems to have a lot of the features we have seen on members wish list. Definitely a step forward and definitely better than the MS base.

Hopefully the still have the home screen with the four quadrants I'm a big fan of that layout.

It looks like they have modified the layout of the home screen but it has all the same information.

 

[corncobs]

It looks like they have modified the layout of the home screen but it has all the same information.

 

image.jpg

Cool thanks for sharing I haven't been able to really search.

 

Unfortunately this layout means I won't be able to see my red ladies anymore. Well since we won't be getting this upgrade (or I would be really surprised) in our "old" cars nothing to worry about it for now.

 

I like the current MFT and no issues with it. It does what it's supposed to do.

[Riggo]

It would be nice if current owners of gen 2 would be given the opportunity to upgrade, even at a cost, to this gen 3 sync. Unless there is a hardware or processor issue, I don't see any reason why we wouldn't be able to get a software upgrade.

[murphy]

The 3.7 version of Sync is not available to 2013 cars. There have been no upgrades since August 2013 in spite of known problems. I feel like I have been abandoned.

;(

[Waldo]

The 3.7 version of Sync is not available to 2013 cars. There have been no upgrades since August 2013 in spite of known problems. I feel like I have been abandoned.

;(

 

Or has Ford just decided to be smart and figured why spend resources updating a dead-end platform when they know that the Sync 3 update will be coming soon???

[murphy]

 

Or has Ford just decided to be smart and figured why spend resources updating a dead-end platform when they know that the Sync 3 update will be coming soon???

There is no way that Sync 3 will work on the rudimentary touch screen that is in my car. It takes a hard press to select an entry. It is not capable of handling swiping or pinching motions.

[Waldo]

There is no way that Sync 3 will work on the rudimentary touch screen that is in my car. It takes a hard press to select an entry. It is not capable of handling swiping or pinching motions.

 

That doesn't mean that Ford can't make a slightly different version that works on the current hardware. We're talking about millions of customer's out there that Ford needs to keep happy.

[lolder]

Touchscreens in general are a bad idea on cars. They require you to look at them and have a steady hand on a smooth road to operate them. They can't disappear soon enough. You don't need to distract yourself from the road as much with knobs. Push button switches are OK if they're big enough which most aren't. Anything that you need to look at inside the car to operate is a dangerous distraction, They might be OK in autonomous vehicles.

[Easy Rider]

There is no way that Sync 3 will work on the rudimentary touch screen that is in my car. It takes a hard press to select an entry. It is not capable of handling swiping or pinching motions.

You are assuming that the deficiency is with the screen and not with the software.

You might be right.......but might not be too.

[Toz]

There was an artical on CNN that was quoted as saying that the new system would not be backward compatible. "Because the new touchscreens will include new hardware, owners of the current Sync with MyFord Touch system will not be able to upgrade to Sync 3."

 

http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/12/technology/ford-microsoft-blackberry/index.html?hpt=hp_t4

[corncobs]

Touchscreens in general are a bad idea on cars. They require you to look at them and have a steady hand on a smooth road to operate them. They can't disappear soon enough. You don't need to distract yourself from the road as much with knobs. Push button switches are OK if they're big enough which most aren't. Anything that you need to look at inside the car to operate is a dangerous distraction, They might be OK in autonomous vehicles.

Nothing you will be able to do about that except to only buy old cars.

As for the Sync system you can control pretty much anything per voice no need to find buttons on the screen.

 

What the new Sync 3 will provide is definitely better readability and controllability because there's more contrast and larger buttons. This should lead to less distraction in case you have to use the UI for example the enter an address but again this could be accomplished via voice command.

[md13ffhguy]

 

That doesn't mean that Ford can't make a slightly different version that works on the current hardware. We're talking about millions of customer's out there that Ford needs to keep happy.

That would be quite a gesture. Probably the most disappointing thing about the Synch/MFT combo in my 2013 is the lack of apps. This would not be even half as disappointing if I didn't know that the CARS WITHOUT MFT HAVE MORE CAPABILITY with regard to app compatibility. Would Ford actually make this move, or would they just hope that devotees of the car will upgrade to a newer model sooner? We shall see. Not holding my breath.

[LASooner]

It would be nice if I can just replace the whole unit with this one, but they'll probably make it so it won't interface with 2013/2014 fusions.

Seeing the Pandora app on screen pissed me off. I wonder if it will support Google Auto as well?

[lolder]

Nothing you will be able to do about that except to only buy old cars.

As for the Sync system you can control pretty much anything per voice no need to find buttons on the screen.

 

What the new Sync 3 will provide is definitely better readability and controllability because there's more contrast and larger buttons. This should lead to less distraction in case you have to use the UI for example the enter an address but again this could be accomplished via voice command.

I have Sync on my non-nav screen 2010 which usually works fine on hands free phone and entertainment. Sometimes there's a little language barrier it seems. The HVAC is knobs and mechanical push buttons, some too small but I usually run it in Auto or just vent. It has the slightly small back up display in a inside rear view mirror which is adequate. I think newer ones in other cars are bigger. It also has the moon roof, rear back-up sensing, BLIS and CTA. The rear visibility is excellent so you really don;t need the BLIS but we use the CTA all the time. All the 2010-12s had these features which you have to pay for in a lot higher trim in 2013+. I paid about 24K for it in 2009 plus my 1995 Grand Marquis cash for clunkers. I think there was still a substantial tax credit then also. It's running like new at 69K miles with a lifetime 40 mpg. in favorable SW FL. I think I'll keep it till I need an autonomous car.

[Riggo]

Hey Ford, don't leave us gen 2ers completely in the dust! Throw us a bone with some nice upgrades and the ability to install apps like Pandora, etc.

I hope this somehow makes it to the people at Ford. Not that they'd care. Ha :spend:

[murphy]

I'll settle for having the existing bugs fixed.

[corncobs]

I'll settle for having the existing bugs fixed.

Let's call the missing AppLink support on MFT a bug as well. ;)

[md13ffhguy]

Let's call the missing AppLink support on MFT a bug as well. ;)

Yeah, a stinkbug!

[rjent]

We have been toying with the idea to trade our '13 for a '15, now I don't have a choice, I'll wait for the 2016's end of argument .... LOL Thanks Ford, you made my decision for me. :congrats:

Edited December 22, 2014 by rjent