Ford dropping Microsoft Stink, ..er I mean Sync

[orezok]

...and going with Blackberry. Hope it works out for them.

 

[HHR]

...and going with Blackberry. Hope it works out for them.

They should have gone to Apple like they almost did in 2005.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I did a lot of research on the Sync System before buying our 2013 Edge. It's either love it or hate it. We love it. I will admit it took about 2 weeks to get the hang of it but once we did I can't imagine not having it. So much so I am now ready to trade both my 06 F350 and my 08 Titan for a new Ford with it.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

...and going with Blackberry. Hope it works out for them.

BlackBerry? They are still in business? Lol

Chris

 

[JJZ 109]

They should have gone to Apple like they almost did in 2005.

Everything else I have is Apple, I would have liked it also. Like Chris, I'm thinking Blackberry is on the way out or barely hanging on.
I've had 3 or 4 trucks with Sync. I just wish it could be tweaked by the user some more. For example, I absolutely hate the 911 voice warning whenever Sync detects my phone. I'd like to get rid of that. Heck, I left the phone at home yesterday and Sync came on 2 miles from the house to tell me that it detected my phone and that 911 assist was set to "off". Nice trick.

 

[Ford850]

They are looking at the QNX Software platform which is owned by BB. They provide systems for BMW and others. BMW uses both Microsoft and QNX, so I wonder if Ford will do the same. From what I've read, QNX and Microsoft are the 2 main players.

 

[Ford850]

Everything else I have is Apple, I would have liked it also. Like Chris, I'm thinking Blackberry is on the way out or barely hanging on.
I've had 3 or 4 trucks with Sync. I just wish it could be tweaked by the user some more. For example, I absolutely hate the 911 voice warning whenever Sync detects my phone. I'd like to get rid of that. Heck, I left the phone at home yesterday and Sync came on 2 miles from the house to tell me that it detected my phone and that 911 assist was set to "off". Nice trick.

That annoyed me too. I finally changed the setting to 'on' and solved that issue.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Everything else I have is Apple, I would have liked it also. Like Chris, I'm thinking Blackberry is on the way out or barely hanging on.
I've had 3 or 4 trucks with Sync. I just wish it could be tweaked by the user some more. For example, I absolutely hate the 911 voice warning whenever Sync detects my phone. I'd like to get rid of that. Heck, I left the phone at home yesterday and Sync came on 2 miles from the house to tell me that it detected my phone and that 911 assist was set to "off". Nice trick.

Ours has never done that. I currently only have it linked up to my little ladys phone but we have had no issues.

Chris

 

[murphy1244]

How about when the truck asks you if you want a vehicle report very loudly.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I use the basic sync program in a 2012 F150 with iphone5 to get incoming calls on the pickup sound system, very handy. Also use google maps with turn by turn instructions on the pickup sound system, that works really well. Maybe there are other helpful features I havent found yet. I guess I dont understand the logic of sync too well. It is handy as an interface with the iphone, which has many thousands of applications going way beyond anything Ford and BB might come up with. Such as GIS based guides to highway rest stops, gas stations, restaurants, motels! The one thing Ford has that probably could be value added in the sync system is the OBDII data. A few shreds of that info are in the dashboard computer, otherwise you need aftermarket devices and software to gain access.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I use the basic sync program in a 2012 F150 with iphone5 to get incoming calls on the pickup sound system, very handy. Also use google maps with turn by turn instructions on the pickup sound system, that works really well.

I just recently bought a F150 with Sync. I have an iphone and would like to use the google maps feature with turn by turn on the sound system. I am somewhat technically challenged. How difficult is it to set that feature up?

 

[downsizingnow48]

Did the dealership sync your phone to the pickup? If not that is the first step. The sync booklet has step by step directions how to do it.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Did the dealership sync your phone to the pickup? If not that is the first step. The sync booklet has step by step directions how to do it.

I synced the phone myself so guess I'll get out the manual and give it a go.

 

[jel1988]

I have sync I hooked up my phone, couldn't get it to my 2nd phone nor could the dealer!

 

[downsizingnow48]

I synced the phone myself so guess I'll get out the manual and give it a go.

When the sync is successful the next step is google maps. the sequence I follow is start the pickup, then start google maps. then it should hook into the sound system automatically. the latest update works consistently, unlike earlier versions where the voice guidance was hit or miss both in the phone and through the pickup's bluetooth connection.

 

[sparc]

I have sync in my '12 f-350, and I am disappointed with all its limitations.
Microsoft can do much better and has innthe past. I had a Clarion Auto-PC in my Hummer H1 in 1998, and it blows the doors off anything anyone offers today in many ways. The voice control was way better. It had cell phone interface with voice controlled dialing. There were many apps which could be run as it was built on Windows CE same as was running all the hand-helds like the iPaq. It had a CF card slot, and could interface with OBDII data port in the vehicle. It had navigation with its own GPS which worked better than that in my f-350.

I have wondered why there have not been any updates available for my version of sync, now it seems we know, Microsoft is on the way out it sounds like with Ford. Neither of the two top end Android smart phones I have used with the f-350 have been fully supported, and that bugs me more than anything.

If it was me all the OBDII data would be available on either display, and be user configurable as to what data is shown and where(be able to move/rearrange gauges to suit each driver).

 

[Monster5601]

They are looking at the QNX Software platform which is owned by BB. They provide systems for BMW and others. BMW uses both Microsoft and QNX, so I wonder if Ford will do the same. From what I've read, QNX and Microsoft are the 2 main players.

There are not looking at it, the are doing it. QNX is the most popular OS platform for in vehicle infotainment systems, globally. Harmon Becker (Harman - Becker®) is the leading developer of infotainment systems using QNX. As far as I know, Ford was the only one that signed up with Microsoft although Microsoft continues to court Detroit. Lets face it, Microsoft in embedded systems, they don't have the history in that type of development.

Apple is out because of its closed environment and their idiotic control, Android wants nothing to do with in vehicle system albeit they have the best performing operating system for infotainment and QNX has a long well established history in infotainment. Chrysler's systems are all QNX based and working well.

 

[MikePA]

Apple is out because of its closed environment and their idiotic control...

Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz don't agree with your opinion. Click Here.

By the way, what vehicle systems have an 'open environment'?

 

[CLinton_in_FL]

If you want ODBII data, get the Android App Torque with a Bluetooth adapter. Well worth the $30 ($25 for adapter - $5 for the app) You can demo the free version. Sorry iPhone users, I don't think it is available for you. Here is the website. Torque — OBD2 Performance and Diagnostics for your Vehicle

 

[ericher69]

If you want ODBII data, get the Android App Torque with a Bluetooth adapter. Well worth the $30 ($25 for adapter - $5 for the app) You can demo the free version. Sorry iPhone users, I don't think it is available for you. Here is the website. Torque — OBD2 Performance and Diagnostics for your Vehicle

That's funny...lol

Like most scamsung supporters your head is in the sand...

Apple has a dozen (better) apps that do this and more.

12 different app developers must have copied scamsung after they invented it.

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