Come on Ford!

[AlbanyIan]

I think there is a good chance that it is a hardware issue. Isn't that partially what is driving the chip shortage? Car manufacturers (not just ford) are refusing to use modern chips and instead using outdated ones that chip manufacturers don't want to make anymore.

Either way, it's one of two things:

1. They cheaped out on hardware because they did the status quo and released an infotainment that is about 3 years outdated.

2. They poorly optimized the infotainment system and likely won't fix that optimization (I think they are more focused on fixing bugs rather than the overall performance)

The conjecture in your posts is like the bloatware everyone complains about on their laptops from Staples. Maybe, just maybe, Ford would put the Mustang badge on an outdated Microsoft Surface with a big battery and wheels but that seems like a risky bet on their flagship EV. I'm happy to learn whether that is the case or not but throwing out hypotheses for others to prove or disprove accomplishes nothing.

After driving the car for about three weeks, I'll admit that the UI on my new & fresh phone was a little smoother out of the box than the tablet interface on the GT.

And, that was my major concern about these cars looking down the road, "Are the software/hardware systems going to be obsolete in 10, 5, or even 3 years?" I took the plunge and have basically gambled that the manufacturers would not put something on the market that is unbearable to drive because the UI sucks before the car has had a second set of tires installed. Perhaps time is the only way to tell.

I've gotten used to the some of the pauses/lag in the UI and either have work arounds (mostly in the environmental settings) or give it a second to react. Most of the settings have a couple of ways to access and adjust. Same thing with my phone: it took me a while but I figured out to activate the flashlight before entirely opening the phone, I have to hold the button for a second or two, not just tap it. Maybe having some patience is one of the benefits of turning 50 next year ( )

Anyway, please provide some facts to back your assertions. The forum members here will thank you.

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[physib]

chip manufacturers don't want to make anymore

I don't know about that. Fabs can only make high speed processors with the best wafers, and the lower quality ones are relegated to making "worse" chips.

 

[GoGoGadgetMachE]

Baloney. Though that's not what I actually thought.

I appreciate you not needing me to get the ticket book out again so quickly.

 

[RedStallion]

I think we should complain about the cup holders being in a convenient location as well! I miss the feeling of being annoyed each time I use them..

Not only cupholders, they didn't even design a dedicated space for a gun, people have to improvise.

 

[Burnsy8787]

The conjecture in your posts is like the bloatware everyone complains about on their laptops from Staples. Maybe, just maybe, Ford would put the Mustang badge on an outdated Microsoft Surface with a big battery and wheels but that seems like a risky bet on their flagship EV. I'm happy to learn whether that is the case or not but throwing out hypotheses for others to prove or disprove accomplishes nothing.

After driving the car for about three weeks, I'll admit that the UI on my new & fresh phone was a little smoother out of the box than the tablet interface on the GT.

And, that was my major concern about these cars looking down the road, "Are the software/hardware systems going to be obsolete in 10, 5, or even 3 years?" I took the plunge and have basically gambled that the manufacturers would not put something on the market that is unbearable to drive because the UI sucks before the car has had a second set of tires installed. Perhaps time is the only way to tell.

I've gotten used to the some of the pauses/lag in the UI and either have work arounds (mostly in the environmental settings) or give it a second to react. Most of the settings have a couple of ways to access and adjust. Same thing with my phone: it took me a while but I figured out to activate the flashlight before entirely opening the phone, I have to hold the button for a second or two, not just tap it. Maybe having some patience is one of the benefits of turning 50 next year ( )

Anyway, please provide some facts to back your assertions. The forum members here will thank you.

https://fortune.com/2021/09/17/chip-makers-carmakers-time-get-out-semiconductor-stone-age/

There are your facts, I guess.

Saying it is a "little smoother" on your phone is a massive understatement. There is no current phone (android or iOS) that is optimized this poorly or using such old chip tech that it can't keep up.

 

[Sneezy]

Not only cupholders, they didn't even design a dedicated space for a gun, people have to improvise.

My 2014 Camaro SS had a small gap on the dash under the steering wheel. I was able to clip my holder there and retrieve it while the holster stayed put. Even better, nobody could see it unless they were in the car. My 2017 SS and my 2019 Caddy had no such space.

I think the dash under the steering wheel in the Mach is to steep to work.

I'd be thrilled with a radar detector/dash cam jack up by the mirror!

 

[AlbanyIan]

https://fortune.com/2021/09/17/chip-makers-carmakers-time-get-out-semiconductor-stone-age/

There are your facts, I guess.

Saying it is a "little smoother" on your phone is a massive understatement. There is no current phone (android or iOS) that is optimized this poorly or using such old chip tech that it can't keep up.

Thanks for the link to the Fortune article. Interesting read for sure. However, it doesn’t speak to your points regarding the chips Ford is using in the MME’s UI. The chips that article talks about are specifically the ones generically used for “airbags and brakes” by car companies in general and references the economy and durability of using old chips for basic functions.

Your beef is with the lack of a smooth appearance and reaction of the touchscreen to your inputs. This article doesn’t address the kinds of hardware processing power you allege Ford has skimped on.

Again, thanks for the article but it doesn’t help your case.

 

[Burnsy8787]

Thanks for the link to the Fortune article. Interesting read for sure. However, it doesn’t speak to your points regarding the chips Ford is using in the MME’s UI. The chips that article talks about are specifically the ones generically used for “airbags and brakes” by car companies in general and references the economy and durability of using old chips for basic functions.

Your beef is with the lack of a smooth appearance and reaction of the touchscreen to your inputs. This article doesn’t address the kinds of hardware processing power you allege Ford has skimped on.

Again, thanks for the article but it doesn’t help your case.

That's fair, but I think it's safe to assume that if a car manufacturer is in the technological stone age with those chips, they are not going to be ahead of the pack in their infotainment processing power. I mean, they obviously aren't considering how laggy it is.

 

[AlbanyIan]

That's fair, but I think it's safe to assume that if a car manufacturer is in the technological stone age with those chips, they are not going to be ahead of the pack in their infotainment processing power. I mean, they obviously aren't considering how laggy it is.

You can assume whatever you want. I usually have poor luck making assumptions, especially when they are based on non-applicable information.

Several of the points made in the middle of the article raised serious implications for the economic and safety impacts of replacing industry standard devices with cutting edge chips that the fabricators make most of their money on.

 

[Burnsy8787]

You can assume whatever you want. I usually have poor luck making assumptions, especially when they are based on non-applicable information.

Several of the points made in the middle of the article raised serious implications for the economic and safety impacts of replacing industry standard devices with cutting edge chips that the fabricators make most of their money on.

You are talking around this like I am making up the fact that the infotainment system is in the stone age of responsiveness. Like I have mentioned before, to some generations, the mach e infotainment is state of the art and lightning fast (It would appear you're in this group). To anyone that grew up with tablets and smart phones, it is 10+ years outdated.

 

[AlbanyIan]

You are talking around this like I am making up the fact that the infotainment system is in the stone age of responsiveness. Like I have mentioned before, to some generations, the mach e infotainment is state of the art and lightning fast (It would appear you're in this group). To anyone that grew up with tablets and smart phones, it is 10+ years outdated.

At no time did I disagree that the touch interface could be better. You’ve been asserting that the hardware is to blame without justification. That’s on you, not me. Maybe, just maybe, the hardware and software are all top shelf and optimized but too many inputs, calculations, and outputs are being asked of it? IDK. Maybe the use of more emojis on the tablet is the answer. IDK. Maybe Ford didn’t want to cough up the money for high end proprietary touch sensors. IDK.

If one identifies an issue, a more productive way to get it addressed is to ask questions or propose some remedies and not by concluding the cause of the problem without a complete diagnosis. That last part makes the one raising the issue sound ignorant, naive and impatient.

My kids (13 & 15) complain when their video games lag and say they need a new system without considering other factors. Usually a new purchase isn’t the only answer.

 

[Burnsy8787]

At no time did I disagree that the touch interface could be better. You’ve been asserting that the hardware is to blame without justification. That’s on you, not me. Maybe, just maybe, the hardware and software are all top shelf and optimized but too many inputs, calculations, and outputs are being asked of it? IDK. Maybe the use of more emojis on the tablet is the answer. IDK. Maybe Ford didn’t want to cough up the money for high end proprietary touch sensors. IDK.

If one identifies an issue, a more productive way to get it addressed is to ask questions or propose some remedies and not by concluding the cause of the problem without a complete diagnosis. That last part makes the one raising the issue sound ignorant, naive and impatient.

My kids (13 & 15) complain when their video games lag and say they need a new system without considering other factors. Usually a new purchase isn’t the only answer.

You say all this as if we can just ask Ford why it's so bad and they will give us an answer. Unfortunately I can't sit down and have a debate with their engineers/software developers. This is the internet and a discussion forum, not a scientific lab.

It's obviously not related to the actual touch sensors on the screen because when you use carplay it works flawlessly. So let's see here:

1. Carplay works amazing, inputs work instantly, no lag. It's also coincidentally using the phones processing power. Same screen, same touch sensors.

2. Fords infotainment is laggy and unresponsive. It's not shockingly, using it's own processing power.

So the two variable between these two options is the cars processing power and software vs. the iPhones.

Let me know when you get Ford to sit down with you and have a thorough discussion on this. I will continue to just make very obvious conclusions based on the info we have/their history of putting infotainment on the very end of their list of things to do when making a car.

Also the fact that you're comparing my conclusions to your teenage kids is hilarious.

 

[AlbanyIan]

Also the fact that you're comparing my conclusions to your teenage kids is hilarious.

Don’t feel bad, they’re pretty smart; just impetuous.

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