New Ford CarPlay app...that's empty?!

[E90alex]

I hope that's not the case. Adding an important function to a CarPlay app means you are always a minimum of three clicks away from utilizing it. Other Ford vehicles use Sync, so we would assume someone knows how to program it.

I’m sure there’s some small team dedicated to SYNC to fix major bugs etc, but most of the developers are likely spending their time and energy on the next generation “Ford Digital Experience” platform powered by Google Built In. And whatever the next generation EV platform system will run, if it ends up being different than FDE.

So i wouldn’t get your hopes up on new SYNC4 features or significant updates. With any electronic device these days, buy it if you’re happy with the current functionality as-is, because promised upcoming features may never come.

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[AliRafiee]

Chick fil a and Target both had a “coming soon” CarPlay app for almost a year.

 

[SonicBlue]

I’m sure there’s some small team dedicated to SYNC to fix major bugs etc, but most of the developers are likely spending their time and energy on the next generation “Ford Digital Experience” platform powered by Google Built In. And whatever the next generation EV platform system will run, if it ends up being different than FDE.

So i wouldn’t get your hopes up on new SYNC4 features or significant updates. With any electronic device these days, buy it if you’re happy with the current functionality as-is, because promised upcoming features may never come.

And to think that people are still buying “new” 25s and 26s with this soon-to-be obsolete software…

 

[CarGuy11]

@Ford Motor Company please enable air play in CarPlay to watch YouTube etc from phone.

 

[Mache_Nor]

If it ain’t precondition features, it better be karaoke in 4K resolution otherwise I will hunger strike!!!

 

[AZBill]

Most likely, this is where the public charging feature will go, since they took it away from Sync. Also, monitoring of the charging power in real time. Ford must be too lazy to support these directly in the vehicle.

 

[A-A-Ron]

I've literally never seen a company with a "Coming soon" placeholder.

I'm a little disappointed it's not "Coming Soon (TM)"

But seriously, this is so on brand for Ford software rollouts.

 

[JDnLex]

My guess is this is how the Ford AI assistant demo’ed at CES will be rolled out to infotainment systems not powerful enough to provide a smooth experience with it running natively.

The plan has been to roll it out to the app first with vehicle integration coming in the next few years.

 

[Maui]

@Ford Motor Company please enable air play in CarPlay to watch YouTube etc from phone.

**modified comment** Some working is being done to push this forward, but yes would be nice for FORD to support these feature
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/16/ios-26-4-carplay-video-apple-tv/

 

[Maui]

As for releasing features into an iOS app versus the car os. From a testing and validation perspective, if it doesn't require car changes this would be a lot faster, and safer than changing the car software and have to re-validate.

 

[CarGuy11]

this appears to be on Apple and is supposed to be coming soon.
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/16/ios-26-4-carplay-video-apple-tv/

Article says automakers will need to implement:

The original mention of the feature appeared on Apple's CarPlay page for developers within a section specific to automakers, indicating that CarPlay with AirPlay video is something automakers will need to implement with on their end. Presumably, this is because there needs to be integration with vehicle systems to ensure that the feature can only be used while the vehicle is parked so as to hinder the potential for distracted driving.

 

[SonicBlue]

As for releasing features into an iOS app versus the car os. From a testing and validation perspective, if it doesn't require car changes this would be a lot faster, and safer than changing the car software and have to re-validate.

It’s just so janky though having to tap that deep into the interface to access features. And it ironically increases the mfg’s reliance on Apple.

 

[Maui]

It’s just so janky though having to tap that deep into the interface to access features. And it ironically increases the mfg’s reliance on Apple.

I agreed but does work for me as it travels to other our other car, rentals and home usage.

 

[RacerX]

Why precondition the car if you're already in it?

Because you are heading to a charger soon. I believe preconditioning is also useful BEFORE charging, but I could be wrong.

 

[ryannix123]

Because you are heading to a charger soon. I believe preconditioning is also useful BEFORE charging, but I could be wrong.

Right, so why wouldn't I do that in the mobile app while I'm inside my home?

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