CarPlay Now Available in All 2017 Ford Vehicles Equipped With SYNC 3

[^^BIGMac]

Like I mentioned somewhere above...I'm confused.

One sales guy at Cadillac told me the iPhone has to be tethered. I'm getting the impression that some manufactures have got it working over BT. Is this correct? Sounds like CarPlay has a long way to go.

Why would i want to have to plug my phone into the car to get the darn thing to respond to apps on the phone? Seems counter productive.

 

[Beerstalker]

So you're calling me a "hater" and you admit to playing that ridiculous game, Pokemon while driving? Okay.....

He said he played while it was hooked up. He never said he was driving, could have been parked somewhere, or a passenger.
[doublepost=1469571158][/doublepost]

Like I mentioned somewhere above...I'm confused.

One sales guy at Cadillac told me the iPhone has to be tethered. I'm getting the impression that some manufactures have got it working over BT. Is this correct? Sounds like CarPlay has a long way to go.

Why would i want to have to plug my phone into the car to get the darn thing to respond to apps on the phone? Seems counter productive.

At this time it has to be hooked up with a lightning cable. Apple said that it will be able to work wirelessly eventually, but that ability hasn't been released yet. Supposedly VW had it working at one time and was demonstrating it and Apple asked them to stop. Most people seem to agree that it will work over WiFi, not Bluetooth when it does get released. So if your car doesn't have WiFi built in it will likely always have to work over lightning. If your car does have WiFi built in then it may be possible for it to get an update at some time to allow it to work, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[^^BIGMac]

At this time it has to be hooked up with a lightning cable. Apple said that it will be able to work wirelessly eventually, but that ability hasn't been released yet. Supposedly VW had it working at one time and was demonstrating it and Apple asked them to stop. Most people seem to agree that it will work over WiFi, not Bluetooth when it does get released. So if your car doesn't have WiFi built in it will likely always have to work over lightning. If your car does have WiFi built in then it may be possible for it to get an update at some time to allow it to work, but I wouldn't count on it.

Thanks for the information. So like I said I think CarPlay has a long way to go plus the auto manufactures are way behind the curve it seems.

 

[beanbaguk]

He said he played while it was hooked up. He never said he was driving, could have been parked somewhere, or a passenger.

Perhaps but either way, I struggle to take anyone seriously when they combine, "hater", "fan boy", and "Pokemon" in the same post.

 

[Icehawk]

My sales rep got in touch with Ford to find out info on this upgrade required for 2016 models with Sync 3. They told them there was currently no upgrade. So no info has been put out in terms of what upgrade will be required, pricing, or anything as of yet.

 

[AppLvr4Life]

I had a similar experience happen today when I got my Ford serviced. I had the service guy who I always deal with call Ford Corporate direct for me, he pushed them rather hard and said, " look we told this customer it will be a free upgrade whats the deal". He came back to me when I picked up my car and informed me the following: Ford will not be releasing Car Play for 2016 models until the fall, They are not able to share what parts will be needed or pricing but it WILL need a hardware update. At this time they are unsure if they will honor what dealerships have told customers, if the dealerships have made the "unfortunate mistake" of telling customers the updates would be just a free software update. Really!!!... I can tell you I was not pleased, actually my service guy was not either. My dealership is fully aware of this now. Oh yeah they know.

My dealership said we need to wait until the fall and then cross this bridge then. (Of course this part makes sense)

My sales rep got in touch with Ford to find out info on this upgrade required for 2016 models with Sync 3. They told them there was currently no upgrade. So no info has been put out in terms of what upgrade will be required, pricing, or anything as of yet.

 

[Icehawk]

I had a similar experience happen today when I got my Ford serviced. I had the service guy who I always deal with call Ford Corporate direct for me, he pushed them rather hard and said, " look we told this customer it will be a free upgrade whats the deal". He came back to me when I picked up my car and informed me the following: Ford will not be releasing Car Play for 2016 models until the fall, They are not able to share what parts will be needed or pricing but it WILL need a hardware update. At this time they are unsure if they will honor what dealerships have told customers, if the dealerships have made the "unfortunate mistake" of telling customers the updates would be just a free software update. Really!!!... I can tell you I was not pleased, actually my service guy was not either. My dealership is fully aware of this now. Oh yeah they know.

My dealership said we need to wait until the fall and then cross this bridge then. (Of course this part makes sense)

Fall? Makes sense. Didn't see how they were going to make summer per their Sync site with summer being basically over.

I'm fine if they underestimated the needs. The only thing I can think of is the 2017's have wifi if I recall correctly with Sync 3 and the 2016's don't. That would be a nice thing to get, but it could be something as silly as need more ram.

 

[BrandonHacks]

Ehh... I have an iPad installed in my mustang so who cares lol. I had carplay and it wasnt that great.

 

[ineedamac]

I have used CarPlay in several Ford rentals lately. Here are my thoughts....

I have used CarPlay in Chicago, Cincinnati and one trip from Chicago to Cincinnati - a 4.5 hour drive. Using it locally is fine. I'm wondering if others have noticed a degradation in the battery if you use CarPlay while running errands or making several stops - i.e. connecting and disconnecting from the car which charges the iPhone battery. I have not noticed in my short time using CarPlay.

I like the large touch screen in the Ford Edge, Escape and Fusion. I like the ability to display the CarPlay interface or tap to switch back to the Ford interface for AM/FM radio or Sirius.

I like being able to change music or get help from Siri by using the buttons on the steering wheel. I felt it was simple to drive and make/receive phone calls or messages. I did not have to take my eyes off of the road to do either. After all, isn't that the idea behind CarPlay?

The Apple maps worked well for me. It is nice to be able to see the map on the Ford display rather than having to look at my iPhone which I've had to do in the past. Apple maps have provided good directions. It even re-routed me around an accident on I-65 in Indiana and saved about it 20 minutes.

One feature for Apple maps I'm excited to see is the ability to avoid toll roads. I believe that is coming in iOS 10. One data point I wish Apple would add to maps is the speed limit. Yes, I know where to submit a feature request.

I have no need for the Podcast app and I cannot think of something else that I have to have in its place.

Is there a way to get third party apps like ESPN, Pandoro etc can be displayed in CarPlay?

Overall, I like CarPlay.

 

[pitt1717]

So I just picked up a 2017 explorer sport. Carplay has been cool but something that should be implemented are on/off options for some of the features. Namely apple maps. Its not a dis on apple maps, it has gotten better, but I would like to use the stock nav as to keep from running data charges. And once you connect the phone and enable CarPlay that option no longer exists and you are forced to use apple maps.
Please give us an option to disable apple maps

 

[Neo1975]

Completely agree.

 

[enthusiastic]

Yes, one of two places I found it. Lets hope Ford gives more clarification and pricing. This is very disappointing based on the guarantees we had when we bought our new Escape. Thanks

Now they have updated the website and removed that paragraph.

 

[Neo1975]

I have Car Play in my Mondeo.

I have to say, I want to like it, but I don't really.

I can't use my In built Ford Navigation and use Car Play for music etc. That's bad because my data connection around where I live and work, is patchy at best.

The biggest issue is the music and contacts. The Ford system lets me browse anything. Car Play limits the music and contacts to recently used while the car is moving. That is terrible. Yes I know I can use Siri t choose my music or contact, but as I said earlier you need a data connection for that.

Surely these problems can be fixed by changing the software. If that was the case I would use it.

 

[Nohg]

Just putting this out there: My Ford dealer here in Cincinnati told me they were hearing from Ford that "Summer 2016" has turned into "by the end of 2016" now.

So hardware upgrade/software tweak to come by Dec 31 11:59:59 PM

 

[ampedtwiz]

Well I'm sure you could find an aftermarket system that you could magically mod to work in there!!



Ford Sync 3 on 2016 models connects to Wifi to update. If you are at home, it will do it automatically. Otherwise, I just turn on the hotspot on my phone now and again to have it check in since I'm too far out of range for the home wifi where I park.

That would be great if Ford every actually updated the SYNC 3 software. From my owner page, and confirmed in the vehicle - the last update to SYNC 3 software was on June 15, 2015.
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Just putting this out there: My Ford dealer here in Cincinnati told me they were hearing from Ford that "Summer 2016" has turned into "by the end of 2016" now.

So hardware upgrade/software tweak to come by Dec 31 11:59:59 PM

I unfortunately just heard a similar answer from a DM from the @FordService account.

"The Apple CarPlay update is due to be released by the end of the year".

 

[im_to_hyper]

Perhaps they are waiting for the September updates prior to releasing it, and then validation will be needed.

That would be great if Ford every actually updated the SYNC 3 software. From my owner page, and confirmed in the vehicle - the last update to SYNC 3 software was on June 15, 2015.
[doublepost=1472244935][/doublepost]

I unfortunately just heard a similar answer from a DM from the @FordService account.

"The Apple CarPlay update is due to be released by the end of the year".

 

[S.B.G]

That would be great if Ford every actually updated the SYNC 3 software. From my owner page, and confirmed in the vehicle - the last update to SYNC 3 software was on June 15, 2015.

Yeah, I've wondered about that myself too. I check for updates every now and again and after owning my 2016 Focus since November of 2015, I've not had one single update.

But I am looking forward to this coming big update with CarPlay soon.

 

[itsasony]

The reason I purchased a 2017 Ford Explorer instead of saving money on a 2016 model was because of CarPlay, so you can expect that I think your review of CarPlay is laughable.

Siri integration with Apple Maps is a far better and smarter choice than the builtin voice navigation. With one voice command to Siri I can do what takes a half dozen or more commands on the builtin navigation which holds you to using specific words for each instruction and is not intuitive at all. Its dramatically different, like the difference betweeen command line and gui operating systems. Not to mention how long it takes to voice command the built in system to accept a destination and start the route guidance. CarPlay gets you rolling within seconds. The builtin nav takes several minutes to get a route started.

Apps on your Ios device that support CarPlay will appear on your Sync3 car stereo screen. I recently installed Audible for audio books and I noticed CarPlay adds an app button for Audible on my Sync3 screen now.

Spotify is fun to have. Its controls are a bit more limited than the ios app, like you can jump-scan to any point in a song, only the beginning of a song. Having access to my entire library and playlists was exactly what I wanted. I store my playlists on my ios device so they play without interruption when driving in a non-4g cell network area. I have had Spotify glitch once and rebooting the app solved the issue. Thats not a CarPlay problem.

Voice calls work great and are very clear. No complaints from anyone about not hearing me. Voice command calling never gives me any problems. Expect the usual results from this Siri experience.

Siri can read your New messages when you request them. And you can voice command a response. Expect the usual results from this Siri experience.

Anyway, I love it, love it, love it! And I paid thousands more to get it now on the newest 2017 Sync3 system.

Im an IT director, help desk manager, network engineer, certified recording engineer, musician, and Electronic music producer. In case youre wondering what my experience with car audio is... I have always put my own custom Alpine stereo and amp systems in all my cars. Im the guy who could make your mirrors vibrate at the stop light, although I never do that, its rude.

 

[Nohg]

Any official updates from Ford on this? We are getting closer to the end of 2016 every day.

 

[ampedtwiz]

No, but @FordService stiill stands by the update coming by the end of the year. Just replied to a few tweets this morning. I've tried to get more info on what other features/updates/bug fixes to expect, but they won't share anything.

 

[SeanG1027]

I hate Ford and I will never lease another one because of this. Principle.

 

[ampedtwiz]

I hate Ford and I will never lease another one because of this. Principle.

I don't hate them but it is frustrating.

Do other auto companies treat their owners differently? I've been trying to shake the trees at Ford a little over the past 6 months. I keep trying to remind them that they have software in their vehicles (SYNC 3) but they don't act like a company that owns software. Software is meant to be iterated and improved. SYNC 3 works well but has a ton of bugs and issues. They also created an environment for apps but have never added any additional apps since their launch in 2015.

 

[SeanG1027]

I don't hate them but it is frustrating.

Do other auto companies treat their owners differently? I've been trying to shake the trees at Ford a little over the past 6 months. I keep trying to remind them that they have software in their vehicles (SYNC 3) but they don't act like a company that owns software. Software is meant to be iterated and improved. SYNC 3 works well but has a ton of bugs and issues. They also created an environment for apps but have never added any additional apps since their launch in 2015.

1. Sync 3 is very behind still. I used to have U-connect, which was awesome, and basic things like browsing your iPod is horrible on Sync 3.
2. AppLink is literally a joke and it's HIGHLY inconvenient to use.
3. They have NEVER updated Sync 3 V1.0. And they flaunt about their wireless update - push one out so we can see how cool it is.
4. I, along with several others (check ford forums) were promised this update at the time of purchase. I understand Ford cant control what their dealers say, but then Ford delayed the 2016 update 3 times. Then they surprised us with a carplay upgrade fee.

I understand the logistics behind this but IMHO (which no one should care about) it's very bad business practice on Ford's end. Frustrated isn't even a word I can use to describe how I am feeling about this. Cheers!

 

[Nohg]

Sean,

I suppose that is what frustrates me too: the guy who sold me my car swore up and down my 2016 would have this update because it's just retrofitting one 2017 piece into the mix and updating software.

Now with every passing week and the lack of any update on SYNC3, it just seems like it's slipping further away from happening, which is sad because CarPlay is so cool.

ampedtwiz,

What have they said on Twitter? Just that it's still by 12/31/16 at 11:59:59:99PM?

 

[ampedtwiz]

ampedtwiz,

What have they said on Twitter? Just that it's still by 12/31/16 at 11:59:59:99PM?

Nothing even that specific. Just that an announcement will be made by the end of the year. They also can't and won't share any details of what will be in the release other than Carplay support.