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Ford Brings CarPlay to 2016 Vehicles With SYNC 3 Update

usersince86 said:
I honestly don't know, but is there a reason (other than wanting people to buy a newer model) that "smart" car radios couldn't add this technology retroactively? For example, we have a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited that connects to my iPhone, but in a very limited way.

(Note: editing this to include the fact that both bluetooth and USB connections are available in our car, as well as many others from other manufacturers.)
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there are multiple things. carplay requires the display to be at least 6.5" diagonally with a specific aspect ratio. obviously you can't change that from software.
carplay runs over IP, and IP connectivity is established with usb tethering in the wired version. many older HUs don't support such functionality, but just USB mass storage, which is perfect for playing media files stored on the connected device (pen drive, usb hdd, smartphone) flash, but not enough for carplay. with regards to bluetooth, it doesn't play no role in wired carplay at all. wireless carplay runs over wifi, but connection negotiation starts on bluetooth LE.
stuff is well explained here: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2016/723/
 
To bad my 2015 Edge, has the slow MS SYNC 2, and the 2016 and 2017s have the New Sync 3... which means I can't get this either. Ford said that the 2015s would get Sync 3, but then later informed buyers that they didn't have the right hardware; and as result would not be able to install Sync 3.

Therefore, I'm stuck with a slower UI, and lack either CarPlay or Android Auto.
 
I've had it in my '16 since December of last year :D

carletonguy said:
Yeah, the software is there, but CarPlay still won't work. You have to go to the dealership and pay 150 for a hardware upgrade, too. Attentively, you can search the forms online and find the partner for the USB unit and do it in your own.
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My hub was ~$60 to my door, the install is literally 5 minutes, definitely a DIY. :cool:
 
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CarPlay needs to be in every vehicle now with a touchscreen interface. My wife has this in her 2017 Jetta. (Wish I could download and install in my 2013 Acura MDX.)
 
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Wish Honda would do this. My 2016 CRV head unit is upgrade-able but Honda will never do it to match the 2017, which has it. Really frustrating.
 
briley1975 said:
As an owner of a 2016 Ford Fusion I can easily confirm that this update is NOT available on ALL 2016 Ford models. You must have the correct Sync 3 HARDWARE already installed from the factory and not the previous Sync version (i.e. My FordTouch). The Siri Eyes Free feature (added last year maybe?) works really great on the older system, but you can NOT simply upgrade the software and magically get Carplay in your vehicle. It's completely dependent on the newer hardware (which was not yet used in ALL 2016 Ford Models). Sucks but true. Now... you can pay big $$$$ and get the new hardware online and have it installed, and then upgrade to Carplay, but again...$$$$.
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Yeah I have a 2016 Fusion Titanium and I'm pretty bummed.....got my hopes up very high.
 
briley1975 said:
As an owner of a 2016 Ford Fusion I can easily confirm that this update is NOT available on ALL 2016 Ford models. You must have the correct Sync 3 HARDWARE already installed from the factory and not the previous Sync version (i.e. My FordTouch). The Siri Eyes Free feature (added last year maybe?) works really great on the older system, but you can NOT simply upgrade the software and magically get Carplay in your vehicle. It's completely dependent on the newer hardware (which was not yet used in ALL 2016 Ford Models). Sucks but true. Now... you can pay big $$$$ and get the new hardware online and have it installed, and then upgrade to Carplay, but again...$$$$.
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I own a 2016 Ford Fiesta with Sync 3 that didn't ship with CarPlay hardware from the factory. I can confirm that you can cheaply get CarPlay up and running with simply a USB port swap and software update. In fact, I've had it for the last 4 months. I installed the part in about 15 minutes by myself and installed a prerelease drop of Sync 3 v2.2. This is the part I have:

HC3Z-19A387-B

Others installed this one:

GJ7Z-19A387-B

It cost something $60. Works great.
 
Bought a 2015 F150, next model year gets Carplay. Bought a 2016 Maxima, next model year gets Carplay...... sigh.
 
I have a 2016 Ford Escape I updated 2 weeks ago using the new USB hub and downloaded software. Got the USB hub (HC3Z-19A387-B) from the dealer for $68 including tax. Swapping hub in center armrest console took 5 minutes and no tools other than my fingernails to pry stuff apart, press fit to reassemble. I understand the new hub is needed to permit the iPhone to be a USB master and the car display the device in the USB protocol, old hub can't handle that configuration - Android does it differently so doesn't need the new hub. iPhone basically takes over the display in CarPlay and all processing is done on the phone.

Updated software via software download is flakey and prone to lots of errors. I recommend the WiFi method. Unzipping the software on a Mac didn't create the needed files correctly and I had to upzip on my bootcamp windows to get the proper files. Needed to do the install a couple of times before things "took" but it is all working now. Need to log into your account on the Ford Owner site to get the software and the instructions on how to do the update are there.

After using CarPlay a bit I much prefer the Sync3 navigation as it is better integrated with some secondary displays of turn anticipation directions, gives speed limit on current roads and lane selection display for exits. Maps on the car are more than 18months old now and show no sign of being updated so Apple maps has more current maps as a very important advantage. I plan on sticking with the native Sync3 and only use CarPlay if I need current(ish) maps.

Also CarPlay does NOT control the car's radio so need to exit to Sync3 temporarily to select radio source and change channels. I subscribe to Sirius and like to use it. If I used other streaming services provided by CarPlay this wouldn't be such an issue to me.
 
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JRobinsonJr said:
Actually, the BMW 5-Series was the first vehicle to offer wireless CarPlay, but Volkswagen and others are quickly following.
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That might be what I'm thinking. Thanks
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Col4bin said:
CarPlay needs to be in every vehicle now with a touchscreen interface. My wife has this in her 2017 Jetta. (Wish I could download and install in my 2013 Acura MDX.)
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Honestly, the iDrive/knob interface is arguably easier and better with CarPlay.
 
DotCom2 said:
I wonder if Toyota/Lexus IS ever going to cave?
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I'd honestly pick an Accord over the Camry/Avalon as my next car due to Toyota being so hard headed about CarPlay.

Sure, CarPlay isn't great and other features such as safety and reliability are more important but CarPlay has the potential to be great.

Only problem is I just updated my car in 2014 so I'm going to be waiting 10+ years.
 
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MacRumors said:



Ford today released a SYNC 3 software update that adds CarPlay and Android Auto support to its 2016 model year vehicles.

sync-3-mustang-800x422.jpg

Ford said customers with Wi-Fi-enabled vehicles can set up their vehicle to receive the update automatically. SYNC 3 version 2.2 can also be downloaded from the Ford Owner website and installed with a USB drive, or customers can visit any Ford dealership to have the update process completed for free.

Last summer, Ford made CarPlay and Android Auto available in all of its 2017 vehicles with SYNC 3. At the time, it promised it would bring CarPlay and Android Auto to its 2016 model year vehicles by the end of the year, and while it missed that target by about five months, the update has now arrived.

In late 2015, Ford retroactively added Siri Eyes Free support to 5 million 2011-2016 model year vehicles.

CarPlay brings Maps, Phone, Messages, Music, Podcasts, and a number of third-party apps like Spotify to a vehicle's dashboard. Apple's in-car software can be controlled with Siri and a vehicle's built-in controls for convenient access to common iPhone features. It's compatible with iPhone 5 and later.

Article Link: Ford Brings CarPlay to 2016 Vehicles With SYNC 3 Update
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Good to know. I love my 2017 Chev pick up because of car play. It makes my vehicle personal. And the best part is that when my wife is using the vehicle, she plugs her phone in and it is now personal for her. Car Play is a fantastic addition to any vehicle. Fantastic. (yes, this reply doesn't go with he jist of the article... I just wanted tp plug car play and how great I think it is.
 
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Only other major stubborn car company to fall in line is Toyota now.
 
DNichter said:
Frustrating for me. I have wanted CarPlay, but I have a 2015 Mustang GT and they said it is not eligible for any type of upgrade to get this.
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I also avoided purchasing the GT because of this. As much as I wanted CarPlay, I actually invested in the Chevy SS instead, Which has MyLink and I actually like it.
 
Relentless Power said:
I also avoided purchasing the GT because of this. As much as I wanted CarPlay, I actually invested in the Chevy SS instead, Which has MyLink and I actually like it.
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I ultimately still love the car, CarPlay or not, but it would have been nice to get an upgrade here. The MyFordTouch set up isn't all that great, not terrible.
 
you don't need to spend $150. All you need is this part and the software installed. http://www.waltsweeneyfordparts.com/oe-ford/hc3z19a387b I installed this into my truck and it works great.

carletonguy said:
Yeah, the software is there, but CarPlay still won't work. You have to go to the dealership and pay 150 for a hardware upgrade, too. Attentively, you can search the forms online and find the partner for the USB unit and do it in your own.

I bought a 2016 Platinum F-150 and was told CarPlay would be a free upgrade at the end of 2016. Too bad that wasn't true. You'd think a 70k truck would have had the right USB in it... Smh

Alternatively, Android auto works great and doesn't require new hardware. I also think Android auto is executed better than CarPlay, so I'll be sticking with that.
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usersince86 said:
I honestly don't know, but is there a reason (other than wanting people to buy a newer model) that "smart" car radios couldn't add this technology retroactively? For example, we have a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited that connects to my iPhone, but in a very limited way.
Click to expand...

At least in Ford's case, the older Sync and My Sync systems ran on Microsoft Windows CE. Sync 3 is QNX-based, and I'm thinking Ford has a lot more control over what can be loaded on it than it did with the older Microsoft system.

What would really make it for me is the ability to use the embedded Satnav while I also have CarPlay enabled. It beats the hell out of Apple Maps, and works way out in the middle of nowhere, where there are no cell towers.
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v0lume4 said:
If I had a Mustang GT (pictured), the only music I'd need was the sound of that glorious V8 engine.
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I have one. :)
 
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