The Slow Death of Sync 4A

[sean7512]

Sync 4A is mostly fine. Still annoyed Ford is apparently going to keep the trunk open button nested under settings. That is so freaking stupid and aggravating.

Wish the CarPlay Bluetooth connectivity was a bit more reliable. Wish the interface was a bit less laggy.

But overall, it’s a pretty good interface for a car that I’ve owned for 3.5 years! I feel bad for people buying 2024s tho. Yikes.

That is my point. In December 2020, it was an amazing system, not so much as we enter 2025. I just don't see how they continue selling this system in 20025 model years.

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[HuntingPudel]

That is my point. In December 2020, it was an amazing system, not so much as we enter 2025. I just don't see how they continue selling this system in 20025 model years.

I honestly think that the vast majority of us couldn’t care less about Sync in 20025. ?‍?

 

[Shepherd]

That is my point. In December 2020, it was an amazing system, not so much as we enter 2025. I just don't see how they continue selling this system in 20025 model years.

I’m still amazed, coming out of a 2014 six months ago. There are a lot of techie people on this forum, which I love. And they seem to buy vehicles more often than the average age of the used car in the US, which is 14 years old. I guess you’re saying that a buyer who honestly shops around and test drives a lot of new cars would see the difference.

 

[medriver]

It's a completely competent wired and wireless interface with AA or CP not sure I care about it otherwise so yawn, who cares? The public charging app is the only effort that gives me a single consideration to use it. I'm really surprised anyone watches anything on the screen whenever I play videos the colors are so bad it's almost unwatchable.

 

[SonicBlue]

That is my point. In December 2020, it was an amazing system, not so much as we enter 2025. I just don't see how they continue selling this system in 20025 model years.

Yeah. If you care about tech, that’s not a good buy. But truthfully, I think buying a new MME at this point is dumb. I encourage people in the market to buy a used 22 or 23, let someone else take the massive depreciation hit, and use that car as a 4-5 year bridge to better battery and infotainment tech.

I love my 21. I think it was a great buy at the time. But I just shake my head at folks paying new pricing for a car in need of a refresh.

 

[Spacey]

I love this from the Ford Expedition page:

"This can be used for up to 10 personal devices and is especially helpful while tailgating or camping because Wi-Fi capability can extend up to 50 feet."

Has a different meaning in the UK especially in respect of BMW/Audi drivers. ?

 

[mdolan92869]

I love this from the Ford Expedition page:

"This can be used for up to 10 personal devices and is especially helpful while tailgating or camping because Wi-Fi capability can extend up to 50 feet."

Has a different meaning in the UK especially in respect of BMW/Audi drivers. ?

Same in the US, but it does have a 2nd meaning in regards to sporting events. In California, the 1st meaning just means normal driving now ?

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I love this from the Ford Expedition page:

"This can be used for up to 10 personal devices and is especially helpful while tailgating or camping because Wi-Fi capability can extend up to 50 feet."

Has a different meaning in the UK especially in respect of BMW/Audi drivers. ?

One meaning over here.

The other meaning:

In the far far west of the USA (Hawaii) the latter, more common form of the word, occurs most regularly when behind tourists driving 35 mph and slower in 60 mph zones because” it’s so pretty.”

 

[ARK]

That is my point. In December 2020, it was an amazing system, not so much as we enter 2025. I just don't see how they continue selling this system in 20025 model years.

What would you hope Ford does with Sync 4A? They've done an OK job of providing bug fixes and issuing a couple of major updates since the Mach-E was launched. I don't think there is any glaring missing feature that we hope to be added in a future update.

 

[mikeinet]

It seems that the death of Sync 4A may be a bit closer than we think. I saw the new Expedition has the new "Ford Digital Experience" (Android Automotive infotainment). The tech upgrades are outlined well here (https://media.ford.com/content/ford...l.html#group-section-Advanced-Tech-MxzB8paC88). I am failing to see the use for streaming and games on a gas powered car that needs to be idling so that you don't kill the 12v. This is the type of infotainment that really should be in EVs (usage while charging as the most obvious thing).

It was mentioned in the 10.1 post that after the first couple 10.x updates, that no more (or very little) updates will be coming. Does this mean we may see the new Ford Digital Experience in the 20025 MachE/Lightning? Seems crazy to keep using Sync 4A in 2025 if there are no updates planned. I know thats how cars used to work (you buy what it has and thats it), but obviously the software defined car is upon us now.

I don’t think this will stop updates.
I do agree in the ‘26 model they’ll replace it… but that’s still a year or two out… and ford’s been continuing to add stuff here and there in the meantime.
Don’t expect an overhaul… but I think they’ll keep updating till the new system comes out…… but it’s a lot harder to EOL sync 4a on a EV than fleets that don’t get updated very often

 

[Snakebitten]

What would you hope Ford does with Sync 4A? They've done an OK job of providing bug fixes and issuing a couple of major updates since the Mach-E was launched. I don't think there is any glaring missing feature that we hope to be added in a future update.

We live in an era where things more than a couple of years old are viewed as stale and boring. But I think Sync4 is really nice. And in my 3rd year with it, it's considerably more polished than when it was first deployed.

Oddly, a lot of folks that think it's long in the tooth use CarPlay/AndroidAuto anyway.

 

[jeng]

Ford needs to come up with a better name than “Ford Digital Experience” quickly. I would imagine it would be Blue something or other. Maybe BlueOS.

 

[mdolan92869]

Ford needs to come up with a better name than “Ford Digital Experience” quickly. I would imagine it would be Blue something or other. Maybe BlueOS.

My urologist gave me a digital experience once, not something I’d care to repeat.

 

[sean7512]

What would you hope Ford does with Sync 4A? They've done an OK job of providing bug fixes and issuing a couple of major updates since the Mach-E was launched. I don't think there is any glaring missing feature that we hope to be added in a future update.

Viewing charge speed and all around better battery/energy consumption on screen like every other EV car. Having a trunk/frunk open button in the top status bar and not hidden in a menu. Adding Tesla charger to the main Nav. Fixing the annoying auto navigation that never stays off. Any type of software optimization to improve responsiveness. The no audio bug that often happens with CP/AA. A much better IPC view (preferably a customizable one). Ability to set climate settings remotely (like the Lightning). Turn signal camera (like the Lightning when towing).

That is just off the top of my head. Obviously some are bigger than others, but my point is that there is still room for continued improvement and Ford has already said that after the first couple 10.x updates that updates will be done essentially.

 

[sean7512]

I don’t think this will stop updates.
I do agree in the ‘26 model they’ll replace it… but that’s still a year or two out… and ford’s been continuing to add stuff here and there in the meantime.
Don’t expect an overhaul… but I think they’ll keep updating till the new system comes out…… but it’s a lot harder to EOL sync 4a on a EV than fleets that don’t get updated very often

They have already said that updates will essentially stop after the first couple 10.x updates.

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