Jim Farley interview with The Verge has some interesting Mach E nuggets

[Lord Polymath]

Going to an Android based system means they'll have to put more than a potato in there for processing. It seems like car makers perpetually skimp on processing power for infotainment.

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[TRP]

Android based vs 4A makes me wonder what that will do for resale value on our first gen cars. I've told people that this car, for me, is a 3-5yr commitment tops. This makes me wonder if I should consider moving that timeline forward a year or 2 to take advantage of the higher resale value now. Hmmm

 

[buzznwood]

Big bummer about Sync compatibility
i dont have high hopes of updates for old sync software based on Fords track record. My 2012 mustang got an update in 2015 that broke Siri and there hasnt been an update since then.

As soon as they announced the switch to android, the sync4a instantly became an orphaned dead man walking. I suspect like all the previous legacy versions of sync navigation maps are about the only thing that will get updates.

However I am curious to see what these updates will be like, it was all well and good ford blathering on about switching to html5 for sync4a as it was easy to make OTA changes but currently switching between some screens can be like waiting for a web page to appear when using dial up . Once a decision was made to go all in one using a touch screen for the main interface it needs to have the response times of todays smartphones and in that regard sync4a is clearly lacking, lets hope the update fixes these issues as snappy interface with limited future updates is far more useful long term.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I fully did not expect any backward compatibility to be baked into the Android-based Sync. Based on Ford’s history, I also do not expect anything to be updated in Sync 4/4A once Android rolls out unless it’s a security update. It’s just how Ford operates. They abandon older platforms. ??

 

[Regularmache]

I read that the official Lightning launch is today. It would be informative to know how many Mach-E owners have reservations for the Lightning.

At least one here!

 

[Mathington]

Going to an Android based system means they'll have to put more than a potato in there for processing. It seems like car makers perpetually skimp on processing power for infotainment.

Absolutely. In the past, they had no reason to put an overpowered chip as long as the cheap one ran the OS at all.

 

[Regularmache]

I fully did not expect any backward compatibility to be baked into the Android-based Sync. Based on Ford’s history, I also do not expect anything to be updated in Sync 4/4A once Android rolls out unless it’s a security update. It’s just how Ford operates. They abandon older platforms. ??

I agree here. It's not like an a $900 smart phone. Just to plop down $70k and knowing the vehicle will not get the new system. That's like apple saying enjoy your Iphone 13, we're switching software and your phone won't get it.

 

[Lord Polymath]

I fully did not expect any backward compatibility to be baked into the Android-based Sync. Based on Ford’s history, I also do not expect anything to be updated in Sync 4/4A once Android rolls out unless it’s a security update. It’s just how Ford operates. They abandon older platforms. ??

Yeah that's the way it's always been. If they want to evolve that should change. They should move to a modular system that allows swapping out the hardware.

 

[MellowJohnny]

It's more than speculative to assume the Android-based system will be "better". I guess it all depends on what you want - CarPlay gives me what I use most frequently, so to be honest I'm not in a hurry. I don't find the touchpad overly laggy. And if the 2022 (most likely) is not backward compatible I'm ok with it.

Now if you tell me the "better" changing station finder will be bundled with the Android OS *exclusively*, or if this means opening the OS to a larger Android developer community which will deliver apps Sync4 won't get, then I'm changing my answer.

 

[Lord Polymath]

It's more than speculative to assume the Android-based system will be "better". I guess it all depends on what you want - CarPlay gives me what I use most frequently, so to be honest I'm not in a hurry. I don't find the touchpad overly laggy. And if the 2022 (most likely) is not backward compatible I'm ok with it.

Now if you tell me the "better" changing station finder will be bundled with the Android OS *exclusively* then I'm changing my answer.

That's a good point. Most people will be using CarPlay or Android Auto most of the time.

 

[agoldman]

Sync will get swept to the side as far as updates and improvements I suspect. But I'm not sure how i feel about Android UI to begin with.

 

[Mathington]

It's more than speculative to assume the Android-based system will be "better". I guess it all depends on what you want - CarPlay gives me what I use most frequently, so to be honest I'm not in a hurry. I don't find the touchpad overly laggy. And if the 2022 (most likely) is not backward compatible I'm ok with it.

Now if you tell me the "better" changing station finder will be bundled with the Android OS *exclusively*, or if this means opening the OS to a larger Android developer community which will deliver apps Sync4 won't get, then I'm changing my answer.

From what Jim said in the article, it sounds like the new charging station finder is in the current Lightning and will be coming to the Mach-E so that should mean it's Sync 4A.

I wonder if this better charging station finder and routing will also include some sort of pre-conditioning of the battery to improve charging speed.

It would be horrible if it was locked away in the Android Automotive based OS.

 

[Mathington]

Sync will get swept to the side as far as updates and improvements I suspect. But I'm not sure how i feel about Android UI to begin with.

I'm not a fan of the infotainment interface on the Volve/Polestar cars which use Android Automotive. I'm sure it's very customizable, so perhaps it will look better than what is in those cars.

 

[Rabidsquirrel22]

Don’t forget that Sync 4A is also on the Expedition, Edge, and upcoming Ranger. There’s going to be a pretty large install base of vehicles running this system, so I don’t think Ford will be dropping support that quickly.

Hopefully the UI redesign turns out well and I won’t care about the new OS too much because I’m happy with what we have.

 

[SWO]

It's more than speculative to assume the Android-based system will be "better". I guess it all depends on what you want - CarPlay gives me what I use most frequently, so to be honest I'm not in a hurry. I don't find the touchpad overly laggy. And if the 2022 (most likely) is not backward compatible I'm ok with it.

Now if you tell me the "better" changing station finder will be bundled with the Android OS *exclusively*, or if this means opening the OS to a larger Android developer community which will deliver apps Sync4 won't get, then I'm changing my answer.

Yep. Hell, it might be worse. I'm not impressed with the native Android Auto in polestar.

Seems like the primary motive is to sell the vehicle owner as a product. I'm not interested in seeing an add for air freshener pop up if I fart on my way to work.

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