Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Ford Brings Siri Eyes Free Support to 5 Million Vehicles Dating Back to 2011

So my 2012 Focus which is Gen 1 got an update so it finally shows the artist and song along with resuming playback when re-entering the vehicle. However can't activate by holding the button for no matter how long.

Interestingly the 2013 Explorer with the Gen 1 shows no update available. Makes me wonder if the rollout is staggered?
 
Since the 9.2 iOS update I notice that when pressing-holding talk button in the car, it changes to my BT device in the entertainment center. So after Siri I have to go back and select the radio again. This sucks...... Apple did something with the BT stack I am sure - I had to update my Beats studio wireless headphones firmware because the skip function disconnected after the 9.2 update.
 
I found it annoying to go thru USB protocol when wireless OTA available between house and garage. ALSO RESET MY DASH CLUSTER WITH NO EVIDENT FIX; had to search for it. and no quick understanding of how to access and easily use SIRI to Ford features.
Ahhhhhh! Apple has learned me lazy. ;)
 
After using this new update Bluetooth connectivity reliability has dropped from around 99% to about 50%. Have my 2012 focus and wife's 2013 explorer both with iPhone 6s Plus. Both of us suffer reliability connecting to phone now and ends up going to radio half the time. Would love to have old update back as it was more reliable.
 
Robert.Walter said:
Fords way to see if they can avoid having full CarPlay in their cars.
Click to expand...

No. CarPlay in Ford's vehicles is only available through the new Sync 3 system, which will be rolling out on a few 2016 cars and the entire 2017 lineup. Earlier cars with the second generation Sync system cannot use CarPlay at all because of hardware limitations. However, this new Sync software update allows Siri integration on the Sync 2 system, which while not being full CarPlay, is a big improvement over the voice-activated Sync system IMHO.
 
This new update is buggy as hell. Ruined Siri in my car actually. If I can figure out how to just downgrade, I will. Every time I try to use the "Siri button", it doesn't work the first time. Then switches on the music for no apparent reason. Then if I press it again it will work but it plays some loud music right after even if my music was off
 
I installed the Sync 3.8 update in my 2015 Lincoln MKZ over the weekend. I downloaded the update files from the Lincoln Owner portal to a USB and ran the Sync update in the car. It went smoothly. I had a bit of a tough time reporting back to Lincoln that the update was successful.... it took a couple of tries, but it finally went through and now shows on my Lincoln Owner page.

After the update, I had to reset a number of settings (ambient lighting color, panel brightness, navigation preferences, etc.) and re-pair my phone. I also had to re-enable the feature that allows texts to be shown and read on the car's screen. But after all that, the Siri function works great.

I have my iPhone 5S set so that Siri only gives voice feedback when connected to a hands-free device (such as my car). You can access this on your iPhone settings via General --> Siri --> Voice Feedback, then choose "Hands Free Only". So, when I use the Eyes Free system in my car, I get the voice feedback through the car's speakers. I also have the Siri voice set to a British female because, well, she sounds hot. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: megfilmworks
tgara said:
I also have the Siri voice set to a British female because, well, she sounds hot. :)
Click to expand...
That's what we need. A slew of super sexy voices added to Siri so we can feel like a hot girl will actually talk to us
 
Ghost31 said:
This new update is buggy as hell. Ruined Siri in my car actually. If I can figure out how to just downgrade, I will. Every time I try to use the "Siri button", it doesn't work the first time. Then switches on the music for no apparent reason. Then if I press it again it will work but it plays some loud music right after even if my music was off
Click to expand...

Had the same issue until I turned off the BT Stereo setting on the Sync system. Can't remember where its at but look under BT options in the Phone setting on the Sync system.
 
whsbuss said:
Had the same issue until I turned off the BT Stereo setting on the Sync system. Can't remember where its at but look under BT options in the Phone setting on the Sync system.
Click to expand...
If this works, I'll be in heaven. Gonna go out to my car now and give it a try
 
Just read about his update which was pushed to my Fusion (2013) in December unbeknownst to me!
Love it.
It works globally when my iPhone is connected via bluetooth,
And then returns to the previous source after completion...
In the past, I couldn't successfully load my phonebook into Sync as it is typical MS crap and would freeze with my 5,000+ contacts.. (I loaded an abbreviated VIP list instead)
But now it sources directly from my iPhone and I get my regular British Babe Siri voice as well!
Easy to check email and messages and dictate new messages...
Thanks FORD!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back