Android Will Power Ford Vehicle Navigation Starting in 2023

[RonTCat]

Keep in mind that not continuing to develop Sync 4a does not necessarily mean abandoning the first 2 model years of the car. It can be as simple as the user interface no longer gets updates and what you see on <date> is what you get, while the all new 202x MME has the latest and greatest interface. OTA updates and fixes for the car could and most likely will, continue. Doing otherwise would make little sense.

Some communication on this would be nice though.

Sync 4 will likely stay fairly lockstep with Android Automotive until the hardware in the car can't keep up, but that is the same for any car. Just watch for announcements that the Canadian sync development team has been cut. When that happens, you will then, and only then, go into "maintenance" or bug fix only mode.

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[Kamuelaflyer]

I agree previous Sync work hasn't been good, but it's because Ford senior management at the time needed to call their grandkids to set their VCR and figure out how their smartphone worked. That has changed in a big way in the last few years. The current team pretty much "gets it" now.

Yeah, We're not exactly typical customers here Ron. But in some ways, the idea we should have a constant upgrade to the latest OS is typical imo. I just see this as an interface issue, not a "We're only supporting your car until the warranty expires" type thing. DSoing otherwise doesn't make a lot of sense.

Other than on the forums. Here, nearly everything makes sense.

 

[RonTCat]

Yeah, We're not exactly typical customers here Ron. But in some ways, the idea we should have a constant upgrade to the latest OS is typical imo. I just see this as an interface issue, not a "We're only supporting your car until the warranty expires" type thing. DSoing otherwise doesn't make a lot of sense.

Other than on the forums. Here, nearly everything makes sense.

For Levine to make that statement, the company must have thought long and hard whether it is worth the effort to migrate old vehicles to the new software, or to just keep the current development team in place and do a parallel effort. What it tells me is the old team stays in place, at least for the foreseeable future (past 2023). I doubt the new OS features will deviate much from current Sync for quite a few years.

 

[dbsb3233]

All in all a very disappointing development. Ford's history with previous iterations of Sync isn't stellar. This development throws a monkey wrench into the idea of long term commitment to the next two years of this car. For those who are in the nice to have category rather than I need a new car, what's enticing us to not say, "See you in 2023. Maybe?"

And in 2026 they'll probably move on to something else that will make the 2023's wither on the vine. Rather, rinse, repeat.

The "OTA keeping the car updated forever!" and "it should last a half million miles!" were just hype. It's gonna be just like any other vehicle. The only difference is that the few updates they do beyond the first few years will be applied easier (OTA vs service appointment).

The next customer is always a higher priority than the last one.

 

[Chiefsfan]

Not surprised. But disappointing nonetheless. The very first state-of-the-art Mach-E's are just now delivering and they're already announcing it's obsolescence.

May not matter a lot. The actual OS might be able to handle the same functions either way. The part I will miss is native Google Maps integration.

Figured that would be the answer.

 

[eStang]

To everyone concerned about their first year Mach-E not getting the latest tech, just imagine how bad all those who bought the first year Model T feel right now.

In other words, life is journey. Enjoy the ride.

 

[jhalkias]

For Levine to make that statement, the company must have thought long and hard whether it is worth the effort to migrate old vehicles to the new software, or to just keep the current development team in place and do a parallel effort. What it tells me is the old team stays in place, at least for the foreseeable future (past 2023). I doubt the new OS features will deviate much from current Sync for quite a few years.

My guess is that the current hardware won’t support the new OS. Interesting too that the new BEV F150 is coming out before this Android migration (if they keep that date). To me, that bodes well for Sync 4a for now.
To be totally truthful I didn’t like the Android announcement. I’m not a Google fan for their OS. Services I can choose - yes - OS no. Glad to at least know the answer so now nothing to stress over.

 

[kdryden99]

My guess is that the current hardware won’t support the new OS. Interesting too that the new BEV F150 is coming out before this Android migration (if they keep that date). To me, that bodes well for Sync 4a for now.
To be totally truthful I didn’t like the Android announcement. I’m not a Google fan for their OS. Services I can choose - yes - OS no. Glad to at least know the answer so now nothing to stress over.

Well here is one important question, if Ford spent all this money on the current interface/module or as tesla call is MCU(media conttol unit), I wonder if it can be changed easily with the new one, kind of like what Tesla is doing with there problem MCU. If a new MCU would cost 1000$ I think I would pay for it, if the rest of the car is still good.
Lol why do I feel like this car is alreddy old and i dont even own it yet? I usually dont suffer from the Osborne affect, I mean i still use a Core 2 Quad and a Galaxy S7 so why am I feeling this way about this car?

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

My guess is that the current hardware won’t support the new OS. Interesting too that the new BEV F150 is coming out before this Android migration (if they keep that date). To me, that bodes well for Sync 4a for now.
To be totally truthful I didn’t like the Android announcement. I’m not a Google fan for their OS. Services I can choose - yes - OS no. Glad to at least know the answer so now nothing to stress over.

Exactly.

Much of this discussion for me was about interface. On the Raptor, I don’t particularly like either CarPlay and didn’t like AA on rentals when I had my Samsung before returning to Apple.

It’s going to be a fair B period of time before much changes.

 

[BlueMach]

3 years is about the cycle time when you could expect a refresh anyways. So, if they said right now that in 3 years there will be a new model with new features, what would you do? I agree that it would be awesome to buy once and continue to have it be updated forever, but at what point is that unreasonable?

I think a really good question that has been brought up here is while we may not get Android Automotive, can those with Sync 4 expect to continue to get new features past the 3 year mark or will it be limited to bug fixes?

It's one thing to not get updates of features you obviously don't have the hardware for.

But bug fixes? UI updates? 2012 Model Ss are still getting OTAs in 2021, it's possible to support for the long haul if you want to. iPhones get updates for 5+ years.

I guess they're really into forced obsolescence even with OTA capability now.

 

[BlueMach]

Well here is one important question, if Ford spent all this money on the current interface/module or as tesla call is MCU(media conttol unit), I wonder if it can be changed easily with the new one, kind of like what Tesla is doing with there problem MCU. If a new MCU would cost 1000$ I think I would pay for it, if the rest of the car is still good.
Lol why do I feel like this car is alreddy old and i dont even own it yet? I usually dont suffer from the Osborne affect, I mean i still use a Core 2 Quad and a Galaxy S7 so why am I feeling this way about this car?

This car costs a lot more than a Galaxy S7, that's why. I care way more about a $999 iPhone getting updates than I do about a $89 noname Android, I care *EVEN MORE* about my $58,000 Mach-E getting updates for the long haul.

 

[krafty81]

I am now going to do my first lease. No way I am buying something that is obsolete in three years. I need to learn about Ford Options now...

 

[jhalkias]

Guys, I hate to say this, but in five years this car is going to be old hat because of battery technology. Or did we forget about that in stressing over the OS? Doesn’t mean it won’t be drivable or just as much fun as it was the day you got it. If in 5 years you like that new tech better, trade it in. If you keep your cars 10 years or more no one says this car won’t drive - you just won’t have the latest toys.
When people ask me if they should buy a Mac or an iPhone now or wait for the new one, I always tell them there is always a new one over the next horizon - do what makes you happy now or you will be forever waiting.
Me, I’m hoping my first edition becomes a Classic As Ford’s first serious BEV. ‘65 Mustangs are still around and people love and collect them even though they don’t have the latest tech.

 

[silverelan]

I can't figure out if this is actually good news or bad.

 

[SteveUk]

I can't figure out if this is actually good news or bad.

It's good news as you have been given the truth and not lied to.

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