Reddit user finds hidden web browser?

[RickMachE]

There are so many Ford employees on this forum and lurking here, I’ll guarantee they already know about it.

The downside of social media. They don't even need to be on the forum, they can use tools to monitor social media of all types for information just like this.

On a truck forum I frequent, years back people discovered FORScan, and the realization that many features of the vehicles are built into the components, but not turned on if you don't pay for them. One big one was remote start. Another was Hill Descent Control. These get posted on social media, and then people not only post about them in explicit detail, but start buying parts. A switch for Hill Descent Control that costs under $10 all of a sudden goes on national backlog. Or an antenna cable extension. Ford notices the parts issue, wonders what the hell is going on, and then puts 2 and 2 together and doubles the price of the part, or more. Where feasible, they even can take steps to remove the ability to tweak the setting, so what was gotten for free (i.e. not paying for the option), soon becomes inaccessible.

My F-150 now has Remote Start, Hill Descent Control, and DRLs enabled, all options that I didn't pay for with the truck.

People were resetting tire size when they upgraded, and then Ford locked it out.

Nothing lasts forever, especially when it's all over social media. You know Ford has seen this, and if it's impacting their bandwidth, or their cellular bill, it will soon be squashed. Unfortunate, but that's the reality.

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[Mirak]

I feel happy for the Canadians. Nice for them to finally get a win.

 

[illbehooves]

I feel happy for the Canadians. Nice for them to finally get a win.

The most important win happened the other night when our Ladies hockey team beat yours for the Olympic Gold medal? ?

 

[nor3bo]

I feel happy for the Canadians. Nice for them to finally get a win.

Doesn't happen too often in the tech world (which this is)

 

[DaMeatMan]

I can watch the Netflix pre roll but get an error when I click play.


Netflix Error M7701-1003
If you get the error code M7701-1003 on your computer with the following message:

It means part of your browser needs to be updated, or is being blocked by a security setting or program. Follow the steps below to fix the problem.

So I had more time to play with this, and I can confirm that the OP is correct. Although the previews play on Netflix main video selection screen, trying to watch an actual movie results in an error that is likely the result of missing DRM licensing or modules installed on the built-in browser.

I also tried Amazon Prime, and same aort of deal. Disney Plus also directed me to download the IOS app funny enough.

So it looks like this is really only good for YouTube and internet browsing, which is something, but probably not what folks were hoping for.

Also when you consider that Google has already announced that they will be adding YouTube streaming via Android Auto, this is Essentially a temporary work around for a feature that we are going to get from Google this year anyway.

Thanks to the OP for eventually sharing this workaround!

 

[Kabish]

Does this use the cars “service” Wi-Fi connection, ie do you need the hotspot service?

If it is using the Ford connected cellular I can see this getting shut down immediately. They already have enough issues with OTAs without having their network saturated with YouTube traffic. It would not take much at all to squash it. All they would need to do is contact the XM vender and have them modify their page.

 

[Av8tor]

So I had more time to play with this, and I can confirm that the OP is correct. Although the previews play on Netflix main video selection screen, trying to watch an actual movie results in an error that is likely the result of missing DRM licensing or modules installed on the built-in browser.

I also tried Amazon Prime, and same aort of deal. Disney Plus also directed me to download the IOS app funny enough.

So it looks like this is really only good for YouTube and internet browsing, which is something, but probably not what folks were hoping for.

Also when you consider that Google has already announced that they will be adding YouTube streaming via Android Auto, this is Essentially a temporary work around for a feature that we are going to get from Google this year anyway.

Thanks to the OP for eventually sharing this workaround!

@DaMeatMan Do you know for a fact that Ford will update the prior years MME with Android ? Seams complicated when they are so far behind in OTAs

 

[benk016]

@DaMeatMan Do you know for a fact that Ford will update the prior years MME with Android ? Seams complicated when they are so far behind in OTAs

He said that Google is adding Youtube into Android Auto. Ford has no control over that as its just displaying content from your phone on the cars screen.

 

[Av8tor]

He said that Google is adding Youtube into Android Auto. Ford has no control over that as its just displaying content from your phone on the cars screen.

@benk016 that makes more sense. I had read somewhere that Ford was moving from QNX to Android.

 

[DaMeatMan]

@DaMeatMan Do you know for a fact that Ford will update the prior years MME with Android ? Seams complicated when they are so far behind in OTAs

I'm not talking about Android Automotive where the Android OS is running on the car natively, I'm talking about Android Auto where your phone is essentially casting to your vehicle head unit like Apple Car Play.

Google mentioned that YouTube will be unblocked from streaming via Android Auto at some point this year, and I believe this will eventuall open things up to allowing the same to other media apps as well.

 

[benk016]

@benk016 that makes more sense. I had read somewhere that Ford was moving from QNX to Android.

They are, starting next year. However, it won't be something that can be added to older cars. It will only be in new cars from that point.

QNX is still the base OS from what I've heard and Android Automotive runs on top of it.

 

[Logal727]

I'm not talking about Android Automotive where the Android OS is running on the car natively, I'm talking about Android Auto where your phone is essentially casting to your vehicle head unit like Apple Car Play.

Google mentioned that YouTube will be unblocked from streaming via Android Auto at some point this year, and I believe this will eventuall open things up to allowing the same to other media apps as well.

Wish Apple would allow this, but I seriously doubt it

 

[ZuleMME]

Argh. So I setup rpcapd on my router and sniffed the session from the car reaching out to care.siriusxm.com. It's TLS encrypted so to dive any deeper I need to setup MITM. Not sure how much time I have to go further.

 

[Jimrpa]

Wish Apple would allow this, but I seriously doubt it

I’m sure Apple is looking at ways to enable Apple TV+ ?

 

[Logal727]

I’m sure Apple is looking at ways to enable Apple TV+ ?

Would love that!

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