Sync 4A Update Overview from Ford - Larger Apple CarPlay Android Auto interface, added dial functionality & more

[Shayne]

I received this from a friend the other day, similar to what we’ve seen in the previous teaser videos but a communication that should be going out to people shortly I believe. It may be live online or from other sources, but this was the first I saw it!

It details out some of the new functionality and design changes coming to the Mach-E interface. Larger CarPlay screen real estate. Added functionality of the volume knob. Changes to top bar for clarity and ease of use.

Have to say it looks pretty good. Like that there is no more scrolling on the side menu. Hoping that is the case in all screens. There is a camera button on the driving profile screen for quicker access. The knob temp control I will adapt to like 90. All and all looks like good improvements. So when do we all get it?

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[Logal727]

I use it for a lot of things while Im driving, whats the score of the X game, whats the weather, general facts id look up if I wasn’t driving when i hear it on the radio. It’s way faster then ford, wish it controlled more things in the car Like climate controls etc.

It does control climate, fan speed, temp, recirc.

 

[Logal727]

Like to have the camera screen activate automatically when getting within 10 feet of any object while in Drive.

Mine does this already?

 

[Mirak]

Mine does this already?

10 feet? I am skeptical. Is there a setting? Mine doesn’t turn on until 2-3ft from a curb or car front, which is waaaay too close for me.

The problem is that Ford doesn’t want to automatically activate the cameras every time you pull up behind a car in traffic. I’m not sure how you would make it smarter to only activate earlier when parking, but giving us a one-tap Home Screen access would be a start.

 

[Mirak]

I really hope they remove the slider for the heated seats, and make it only a tap feature. Why do I have to tap the heated seats, then slide between 1-3? It should just be a tap like any other Ford heated seats button.. the auto feature can be a button under climate settings since it shouldn't be toggled frequently.

Or just tap once and twist knob to desired setting (including Off). Even easier IMO, and I think that’s what we’re getting. Tapping multiple times in one specific spot takes more concentration away from the road, for me.

 

[dbsb3233]

Mine does this already?

Really? I think mine only does it when I'm within 2 feet of something, way too late to be of any use. Especially in this car where the braking (2PD, at least) is not very precise for small increments. It tends to lurch too fast, requiring a jerky stop. So I find myself giving it more safety room than my other car.

It would be great if the camera came on when ENTERING the parking space, not only at the last second when almost hitting something. Similar with the beeps. Wish they started 2-3 feet sooner too.

 

[Mirak]

I think there are far too many complications here. First and foremost, storage space. Secondly, there's the question of which supplier each camera belongs to and if streams can even be processed outside the scope of that vendor's features. Of whether or not useful camera angles even exist (it's unlikely that a face would be visible with the side cameras). A sensor to trigger events and wake the camera system. Then, there's the need to stream feeds to a phone. The first issue being processing power (Ford went with the cheapest, lowest performance cpu needed for Sync) to transcode the video to a mobile data friendly streaming format. Secondly the bandwidth cost. The bandwidth cost could at least be covered with a subscription service.

Yeah, way too many hurdles here. If we ever get a sentry mode (unlikely with existing hardware) it’s gonna be an added subscription. That’s why I dropped it from the latest enhancement poll.

 

[dbsb3233]

10 feet? I am skeptical. Is there a setting? Mine doesn’t turn on until 2-3ft from a curb or car front, which is waaaay too close for me.

The problem is that Ford doesn’t want to automatically activate the cameras every time you pull up behind a car in traffic. I’m not sure how you would make it smarter to only activate earlier when parking, but giving us a one-tap Home Screen access would be a start.

Yep. That's why I would like to see a customizable distance in the settings. Many people would get annoyed with the camera coming on every time they stop behind a car at a stoplight. But I'd happily turn that option on if that's what it took to get the camera screen to come on entering a parking space, or my garage. As long as it has a 1-touch exit button if I want to switch back to the radio or map or something.

It could have a nav override too. If navigation is engaged, that should take precedence. That would be an easy programming addition.

 

[QuesoGrande]

Yeah, way too many hurdles here. If we ever get a sentry mode (unlikely with existing hardware) it’s gonna be an added subscription. That’s why I dropped it from the latest enhancement poll.

I did not know there was a poll!
Definitely selected the heated seats as well as the remote start precondition (I thought that was a standard feature) and a faster charging curve. The "150kw" charging for like 5 minutes really shouldn't count as 150kw capible imho.

 

[dbsb3233]

The "150kw" charging for like 5 minutes really shouldn't count as 150kw capible imho.

Yep. And it's really more like 2 minutes.

 

[AllenXS]

Next question - when can we expect to get this. I am putting $$ on April 2023.

How much are you putting down?

 

[Logal727]

10 feet? I am skeptical. Is there a setting? Mine doesn’t turn on until 2-3ft from a curb or car front, which is waaaay too close for me.

The problem is that Ford doesn’t want to automatically activate the cameras every time you pull up behind a car in traffic. I’m not sure how you would make it smarter to only activate earlier when parking, but giving us a one-tap Home Screen access would be a start.

Oh yeah not 10 feet, misread. But I think that much distance would be a room for lots of false activations.

 

[Mathington]

Not to harp on the bad UI design, but…

Why are the frunk, trunk, and charge port Icons wedged up in the corner. It’s like they said, “hey this functional graphic of the car is taking up too much space so let’s put in a smaller non functional one with tiny buttons hidden in it.” “Shoupd they be centered?” “Nah just throw them as far away from the driver as possible”

Good god they can’t figure out good design to save their lives. Lol

I don't mind the size of the icons but for the love of god, please put them on the left side of the screen, closer to the driver. One would think that this is simple, common sense ergonomic design principles

 

[Gullwingdmc]

I don't mind the size of the icons but for the love of god, please put them on the left side of the screen, closer to the driver. One would think that this is simple, common sense ergonomic design principles

It’s the combination of all of the problems.
They’re too small, too far away, and too easy too subtly colored.
Why still have that picture of the car and not use it for some functionality.

 

[Mathington]

When I had a Polestar 2 rental, I really enjoyed their dedicated camera button.

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