Some things I would like to see in the new Mach-E

[RunningHorse]

The standard answer to pretty much all of this right now is CarPlay/Android Auto, which in the Mach-E we know is going to take up the upper half of the giant screen while leaving the lower half available.

This does mean that media would use cell data, potentially, if you haven't downloaded the media ahead of time and don't have wi-fi available. In my case, I live in 2020, so cell data is not a concern. But there's at least one member on here that apparently has only 1 GB of 2G data a month or something. (On the other hand, you can pay for the in-car access point to be turned on and use that for streaming... don't think we know what that will cost yet? In my case I bet adding it to my existing AT&T Wireless plan will be $10...)

This also means you can watch anything with an app for your phone or that will work in your phone's browser, as well as do calls on Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams... you wouldn't be beholden to whatever apps Ford deigns to put there. And you won't be beholden to them for app updates, either.

I would be angry if Ford were to waste development time on any of this kind of thing when I know my phone will be more current with apps, will have nearly an infinite number of apps available including corporate VPN and e-mail, Xcloud/Stadia/whatever, etc. etc.

But I know that's an opinion that not everybody agrees with. Just wanted to put out there the current position and an opinion on it.

100% agree. I would much rather have the In Vehicle infotainment (IVI) display mirror my smartphone than Ford try to redesign all this crap inhouse. No automotive infotainment SW is going to move at the speed or quality of Apple iOS and Google android. Your phone is future proofed and IMO it makes infinitely more sense to leverage all that computing and processing power that everyone is already holding in their hands. Every OEM is eventually going to move to android OS(not talking about android auto but the actual OS) for their IVI like the new polestar2. The future of IVI is eventually going to be like the android smartphone market. Every company has their own branch of android (except prob tesla). If tesla doesn't switch to android i think their current advantage will turn to a major disadvantage. Everyone with android OS IVI will have access to new 3rd party vehicle apps from the google play store while tesla owners wont.

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[4pac]

Hey there guys
Already introduced myself in the introduce myself section. I don't know if the Mach-E has these features yet. I am a bit of a tech geek so these things may not be useful for everyone, but probably most important for digital millennials who will someday buy this car versus a Tesla

1. Driver facing camera with zoom media and google meet applications for remote meetings - this sounds dumb, but Tesla will get this at some point (https://electrek.co/2020/05/05/elon-musk-tesla-native-video-conferencing-cars/) and this is a feature which digital millennials will use as status/humble brag.
"Yo I'm callin you from my Mach-E/Tesla" .


2. Google Chromium or firefox web browser which can play html5/youtube/netflix/mp4 web videos - ask millennials if they go to the movie theatres or watch TV - most don't anymore especially since the pandemic - content is viewed through web technologies now, most people with Teslas use them almost like a second home, with games/entertainment inside the car

3. Video game apps which use the pedals/steering wheel, same as above, for entertainment inside the car

bb
Not sure if the Mach E has these features yet, can anyone confirm?

Is there any sentry mode or security using the cameras similar to Tesla? I didnt see any mention of it but it seems to be a lifesaver for vandalism/crime/security.

 

[JamieGeek]

Of course since the entire HMI on the Mach-E is HTML5/react based it would only take a few lines of code to enable the user to run a browser. Bang support for anything, even porn. (I could be wrong here: I know it was mentioned in more than one presentation but they may have been only talking about the prototype and not the final product being based on HTML5/react.)

Keep in mind that this would open up a ton of security issues (vehicle security issues not just personal security issues).

Note that My Ford Touch originially had a browser in it but got nixed early on due to all the issues with MFT in general.

 

[jhalkias]

The standard answer to pretty much all of this right now is CarPlay/Android Auto, which in the Mach-E we know is going to take up the upper half of the giant screen while leaving the lower half available.

I know someone already mentioned this, but CarPlay only supports certain apps, or only certain aspects of certain apps. For example, it DOES support Zoom and Zoom calls, but audio ONLY.

 

[jhalkias]

I'm hoping he only meant when the vehicle is stationary - like at a DCFC while getting charged. Other things like that should be disabled when in motion.

 

[jhalkias]

I’ve watched several road trip videos in Tesla cars like on Out of Spec Motoring where they watch Netflix on the Tesla screen while at a DCFC waiting. I think that is convenient and fine.

 

[Jolteon]

Ah but people knew that they would get something like this as Tesla is considered a tech company.

Here people are buying a Mustang (haters notwithstanding) and have different expectations for that.

I don't agree with that at all.

I am buying an electric vehicle - I don't really care if it's called the "Stagecoach" I expect it to have the benchmark features that Tesla has shown what you can achieve with a forward-looking mindset on EVs.

You can't encourage a gas customer to sit in their garage and watch Netflix on their car's screen, they'll die from the CO poisoning before they finish the season they're watching.

EV customers, regardless of brand, expect transformative experiences. I truly believe that.

Not to mention, with the truly lackluster CCS charging speeds in some parts of the US (or nonexistent CCS chargers), long wait times in the car will be even more obvious in the Mach-E than it would be in a Tesla. Plugging into a 50 kW CCS charger and waiting an hour and a half you'll want your big car screen to play Netflix after you get tired of squinting at your phone.

 

[Jolteon]

Didn't say Ford can't be a tech company, just saying when someone sees a car with "Mustang" on it; watching Netflix isn't at the top of the list of requirements.

The contention that younger buyers are looking for that...I'm not so sure as younger buyers don't really buy cars these days (although it seems like that the youngest generation may be changing that).

That isn't true for this buyer.

I see Mustang + EV, and I expect Netflix in the car. Baseline.

I seriously hope this is one of the first OTAs.

 

[Jolteon]

Who said Ford can't be a tech company ?

Just saying , these are things that set Tesla apart right now versus the other car manufacturers. All the EV cars roll the same and get people from point A to B. It is the tech/operating system of the media system that sets them apart. If car A cost 45k and car B cost 45k but one allows the occupant to watch netflix while parked charging, most customers will go with the one that allows you to watch netflix while charging

I'll tell you their prior CEO (before today) use to LOVE saying that Ford *is* a "tech company."

The $53k Mach-E I've got on order doesn't have the same UX as the $37k Tesla that's the equivalent to the one I've already got, I'd say that's a problem indeed.

 

[GregM]

The standard answer to pretty much all of this right now is CarPlay/Android Auto, which in the Mach-E we know is going to take up the upper half of the giant screen while leaving the lower half available.

This does mean that media would use cell data, potentially, if you haven't downloaded the media ahead of time and don't have wi-fi available. In my case, I live in 2020, so cell data is not a concern. But there's at least one member on here that apparently has only 1 GB of 2G data a month or something. (On the other hand, you can pay for the in-car access point to be turned on and use that for streaming... don't think we know what that will cost yet? In my case I bet adding it to my existing AT&T Wireless plan will be $10...)

This also means you can watch anything with an app for your phone or that will work in your phone's browser, as well as do calls on Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams... you wouldn't be beholden to whatever apps Ford deigns to put there. And you won't be beholden to them for app updates, either.

I would be angry if Ford were to waste development time on any of this kind of thing when I know my phone will be more current with apps, will have nearly an infinite number of apps available including corporate VPN and e-mail, Xcloud/Stadia/whatever, etc. etc.

But I know that's an opinion that not everybody agrees with. Just wanted to put out there the current position and an opinion on it.

That is the beauty of Apple CarPlay, etc - vs. staying in Tesla's ecosystem. I think one of the key messages that Darren said in Thursday's learning event as that the customer flexibility drove their decisions. Ford didn't want to dictate, they wanted the customer to use it as however they want.

With that said, the incremental added-value trinkets do make things buzz-worthy...like dog mode...

 

[janitorjim]

I would like to see it in my driveway

 

[bprince]

Model S/X has a vertical screen as well and people watch movies on it ok

This video pretty much explains it better than I can

#1 is just... no.
BUT 2 & 3 are something that, like Teslas, should be implemented for entertainment when charging.

MME does not have any of these features yet. However, I think it's only a matter of time before we get charging only entertainment options.

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