sync Archives | AutoDepot

Report: Ford to update Sync, MyFord Touch software… again

Filed under: Technology, Ford, Infotainment

MyFord Touch

Ford hasn’t had the best luck with its MyFord Touch and Sync systems, as the finicky infotainment system has been subject to a critical whooping while customer issues have helped sink Ford’s IQS scores. The automaker has made a concerted effort, though, to try and fix MyFord Touch. And while the results have been mixed, The Blue Oval is hoping its latest free update, set to go live next week, will make things better.

According to a report from The Detroit News, the new system promises streamlined voice commands with fewer levels between opening query and actual result. Ford is also addressing where certain options are selected on the touchscreen. Rather than working one of the four quadrants on the homescreen, users will be able to select anywhere within the quadrant to make adjustments.

While it might only be a band-aid for MFT’s problems, the fact that Ford is still trying to improve it is a promising sign. It’s going to take more than just this update to address the system’s ills, though.

Ford to update Sync, MyFord Touch software… again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Aug 2013 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Ford to update Sync, MyFord Touch software… again”

Ford’s second-gen SYNC system off to a buggy start *UPDATE

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Ford, Lincoln

In 2010, Ford reinvented its SYNC system with the launch of the refreshed Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. But the new integrated system – MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch or what’s known as “SYNC generation 2” – has been plagued by more than a few bugs. And part of the problem is due to its design.

If one of its various functions trips up – navigation, phone or entertainment, among others – the system can restart. This can leave the driver faced with a blank display and a restart procedure that can take two to three minutes. Double bummer: It usually wipes out your paired phones and indexed music.

After talking with several colleagues who have experienced similar issues (including one where the volume was stuck on max while the A/C continued to blow cold air in 42-degree weather) and experiencing these issues first hand for ourselves, we called up Ford’s Head of Technology Communications, Alan Hall, and got on the phone with one of the Blue Oval’s engineers to see what’s causing the issues and how the automaker is addressing them.

Continue reading Ford’s second-gen SYNC system off to a buggy start…

*UPDATE: Official statement from Ford added after the jump.

Continue reading Ford’s second-gen SYNC system off to a buggy start *UPDATE

Ford’s second-gen SYNC system off to a buggy start *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ford’s second-gen SYNC system off to a buggy start *UPDATE“

Chevrolet MyLink brings the app fight to Ford Sync, Toyota Entune

Filed under: Technology, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM

Chevrolet MyLink

Chevrolet MyLink – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors is finally bringing the smartphone battle to Ford with the introduction of Chevrolet MyLink, an integrated infotainment system that connects to your smartphone and allows you to access apps through either the steering wheel controls or the console-mounted touchscreen.

The wraps officially came off at tonight’s Engadget Show and boasts similar functionality to Ford’s AppLink and Toyota’s recently revealed Entune system. MyLink connects your Android or Blackberry device over Bluetooth, allowing you to wirelessly access apps. And if you’re partial to Apple’s iOS devices – namely the iPhone or iPod Touch – you get the same functionality, but can only be controlled by plugging it in via USB.

At launch, MyLink is only compatible with Stitcher and Pandora radio, with other apps due to be released later this year. The Chevrolet Volt and Equinox will be the first two models to come equipped with the new system, and in addition to voice-control functionality courtesy of Nuance, both models will be available with PowerMat’s inductive charging system, so you don’t have to worry about your Bluetooth-tethered phone running out of juice. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but expect MyLink to be available within the next few months. Hit the jump for the official release and get more details at our tech-obesessed sibling site Translogic.

Gallery: Chevrolet MyLink

Continue reading Chevrolet MyLink brings the app fight to Ford Sync, Toyota Entune

Chevrolet MyLink brings the app fight to Ford Sync, Toyota Entune originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Chevrolet MyLink brings the app fight to Ford Sync, Toyota Entune”

Ford launches SYNC Destinations mobile app

Filed under: CES, Technology, Ford

Ford SYNC Destinations Around this time last year, Ford debuted its brand new MyFord Touch system, an infotainment setup that will be spreading like wildfire to the full host of Blue Oval products. To further build upon Ford’s SYNC technology, the automaker will now be releasing a free mobile application called SYNC Destinations, available for iPhone, iPad and Android-based phones. (Don’t worry, BlackBerry folk – your app is in the pipeline.)

This app allows customers with the SYNC TDI (Traffic, Directions and Information) service to search for and save destinations to their individual cloud-based software for easy access back in the car. What’s more, the app uses predictive traffic, powered by INRIX, which provides recommended departure times along with estimated travel times for commutes.

Ford says that by using SYNC Destinations, TDI users will be able to better plan the “when and where” of their commutes, simply by using the INRIX features found within the app. Specifically, aids like traffic maps with real-time speed and accident information, traffic forecasts and easy look-up of addresses will make adding new destinations to the user’s SYNC system easier than before, and more accessible while on the go (and not in the car).

SYNC Destinations will make its official debut at CES in January. For the full details, follow the jump to read Ford’s press release.

Gallery: Ford SYNC Destinations

Ford SYNC Destinations Ford SYNC Destinations mobile app

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford launches SYNC Destinations mobile app

Ford launches SYNC Destinations mobile app originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ford launches SYNC Destinations mobile app”

Will Ford’s Sync lose ground to Fiat’s Blue & Me?

Filed under: Technology, Ford, Fiat

It recognizes hundreds of voice commands. It will interface with your Bluetooth-enabled smart phone. It was co-developed with Microsoft. Sounds like Ford’s popular SYNC tech, right? Sure does, but it also smacks of Fiat’s Blue & Me system that has been in production in Europe since 2007. The technology will be available stateside when the tiny Fiat 500 goes on sale early in 2011. The cost? $500 in a base 500, and the system is standard on uplevel Sport and Lounge models.

Like the Fiat 500 itself, Blue & Me certainly sound compelling, but it’s one small niche product in a sea of cars, trucks and crossovers. Perhaps more significant is the fact that Fiat’s infotainment tech could be available in Chrysler products as early as 2012. And while B&M apparently doesn’t do everything as well as SYNC, it also carries some advantages of its own. For instance, 500 Sport and Lounge buyers can shell out an extra $400 for an optional Tom Tom navigation system that interfaces with the voice command system. Fiat also enables drivers to download their driving habits to a USB stick and load it to a website called Eco:Ville. The site will process the data and give drivers tips for more efficient driving.

So will Blue & Me become as popular as SYNC? Who knows, but at the very least it’s nice to see that competition for Ford’s system is on the way.

Gallery: LA 2010: 2011 Fiat 500

2011 Fiat 500

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Will Ford’s Sync lose ground to Fiat’s Blue & Me? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Will Ford’s Sync lose ground to Fiat’s Blue & Me?”

Ford improves voice recognition for SYNC, adds Send-to-Car for Google Maps [w/video]

Filed under: Technology, Videos, Ford

Ford SYNC 2011 demonstration – click above to watch the video

Those that have been paying attention to Autoblog for any length of time will know that the staff here have long been enamored with the voice recognition (VR) technology that is a part of Ford’s SYNC system. SYNC VR generally does a better job of recognizing commands than any other such system and has a flatter menu structure than most.

For its 2011 iteration, Ford and its technology partner Nuance have significantly upgraded the system which now recognizes more than 10,000 commands without having to traverse a single menu. One of the frustrations of dealing with other VR systems has been figuring out the specific commands required to enter a destination or make a call. Nuance has implemented an array of aliases that let users say the same thing in different ways such as “play track” or “play song.”

Starting this week, owners of SYNC-equipped cars can now send directions from Google Maps on their computer directly to their car – even if they don’t have a navigation system. The send-to-car system has been available for several weeks on General Motors OnStar-equipped vehicles and Ford brings the number of automakers that support this technology to 20 worldwide including Audi and BMW. Check out the technology in the video and press release available after the jump.

[Sources: Ford, Google]

Continue reading Ford improves voice recognition for SYNC, adds Send-to-Car for Google Maps [w/video]

Ford improves voice recognition for SYNC, adds Send-to-Car for Google Maps [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ford improves voice recognition for SYNC, adds Send-to-Car for Google Maps [w/video]”