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Ford's F-series pickup is the best-selling vehicle in the U.S., and last night the carmaker unveiled the redesigned 2021 F-150, which includes Ford's new SYNC 4 infotainment system with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.

2021_f150.jpg

Ford announced SYNC 4 last October, with the first announced vehicle to include it being the upcoming electric Mustang Mach-E. With the F-150, Ford will be kicking off inclusion of the new system in its more mainstream vehicle lineup.

The 2021 F-150 comes with SYNC 4 and wireless CarPlay standard, but there are two different sizes of infotainment screens available: an 8-inch screen that's standard on the lower XL and XLT trims and a larger 12-inch screen that's available as a package option on the XLT trim and standard on Lariat and higher trims.

2021_f150_interior.jpg

Wireless CarPlay has been relatively slow to trickle out and has largely been limited to premium brands like BMW, Porsche, and Audi, although we're on the cusp of seeing much broader rollouts with Ford, GM, and Fiat Chrysler all announcing support for the feature in select 2021 models launching later this year.

In addition to wireless CarPlay and Android Auto with SYNC 4, the F-150 includes a number of other technology enhancements such as standard over-the-air updates that can improve performance, add new features, and reduce needed maintenance and repairs over time.

The F-150 also includes many of the driver-assist technologies that have become common in recent years, and in the third quarter of 2021 will receive a software update to support Active Drive Assist, which will allow for hands-free driving on over 100,000 miles of divided highways throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The 2021 F-150 will start rolling out to dealers this fall.

Article Link: Ford Brings Wireless CarPlay to the 2021 F-150 Pickup
 
Wish Sync 3 could receive such updates. Not that I truly care as I use CarPlay already, but since my Ford vehicle has an internal wireless network, it could very well receive Wireless CarPlay too, and not be just another market gimmick to upsell newer vehicles.
 
Fast forward to...
Yeah, I don't get it. Trucks and SUV/CUV sales account for something like 70% of ALL car sales in the US. "Car sales" is a misnomer at this point.

I like small cars and hot hatches, I may be SOL.
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PS: Don't like trucks but good to see Ford do something interesting. 700 miles per tank (on the hybrid) would've been crazy talk even 5 years ago.
 
Tethered CarPlay is WHACK imo

I like the interface but was shocked to see it put to use requiring it be hooked up, feels like a regression experience wise no matter the technical explanation

That makes it a bit inferior to my bluetooth equipped (non-carplay) vehicle that is always wireless
 
Tethered CarPlay is WHACK imo

I like the interface but was shocked to see it put to use requiring it be hooked up, feels like a regression experience wise no matter the technical explanation

That makes it a bit inferior to my bluetooth equipped (non-carplay) vehicle that is always wireless

Every car with CarPlay has Bluetooth in addition to CarPlay. You can still take calls and play music over Bluetooth in a CarPlay enabled car.
 
They were already going to sell a gazillion of these things, so does it matter?
 
The annoyance with this is that Sync 3 APIMs actually have the WiFi and Bluetooth combination here to make this a feature all the way back to the original Sync 3 systems, Ford seemingly choose not to activate it or offer a upgrade path for users with Sync 3 looking to upgrade the infotainment portion of their cars, who knows maybe I might be wrong
 
Every car with CarPlay has Bluetooth in addition to CarPlay. You can still take calls and play music over Bluetooth in a CarPlay enabled car.

I did forget about that. That lessens the blow significantly.

Still, CarPlay is a WAY more premium experience that aside

jealous of people getting wallpapers in their dash finally! I hope ti doesn't make drivers on the road look more annoying though. with window tints, and screen size, likely negligible.
 
Yeah I really can’t believe it. Likely due to the price of gas. Trucks and SUVs are in the top of sales list with the Camry at #8.

When is Ford going to leverage their Rivian partnership?

Very soon. The already sold out Mustang Mach E is based on Rivian technology. I can't wait until the second year to buy one. Most of Ford's model line will be hybrid or electric in the next three or so years.
 
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I've been kicking around the idea of replacing my +10 year old vehicle recently and have been looking at the '20 F150. Guess I'll just wait until the '21s hit the market.
 
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Very soon. The already sold out Mustang Mach E is based on Rivian technology. I can't wait until the second year to buy one. Most of Ford's model line will be hybrid or electric in the next three or so years.

The Mach-E isn't Rivian tech. The first one was supposed to be a Lincoln SUV in 2022 but it got cancelled. There are currently no public plans but both companies say they're still partners. Ford still has a seat on Rivian's board.

Maybe the electric F150 will use Rivian's battery design although we probably would have heard something by now.
 
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Full skylight, flat folding sleeper seats and 12” display - when does airplay 2 come to CarPlay? :)
 
Yeah I really can’t believe it. Likely due to the price of gas. Trucks and SUVs are in the top of sales list with the Camry at #8.

When is Ford going to leverage their Rivian partnership?

I've owned just about every kind of vehicle, from sports sedans to crossovers to minivans to pickup trucks. I've liked things about all of them, but the versatility of a pickup truck is hard to understand until you've owned one. However, I don't have a daily commute, so the price of gas isn't really a factor for me.
 
As much as I like the IDEA of wireless CarPlay give me a physical connection anytime because it charges faster. Until wireless charging is as fast as wired its a non-starter.
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I did forget about that. That lessens the blow significantly.

Still, CarPlay is a WAY more premium experience that aside

jealous of people getting wallpapers in their dash finally! I hope ti doesn't make drivers on the road look more annoying though. with window tints, and screen size, likely negligible.

Meh, the wallpapers are just MEH.
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Tethered CarPlay is WHACK imo

I like the interface but was shocked to see it put to use requiring it be hooked up, feels like a regression experience wise no matter the technical explanation

That makes it a bit inferior to my bluetooth equipped (non-carplay) vehicle that is always wireless

Slower charging is whack esp in today's giant battery phones.
 
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Very soon. The already sold out Mustang Mach E is based on Rivian technology. I can't wait until the second year to buy one. Most of Ford's model line will be hybrid or electric in the next three or so years.
Everytime I read see the Mustang Mach E I die a little inside as someone whose deep into the Mustang community (Owning over 40 since getting my license 15 years ago) I dont know a single person even considering it even the Ecoboost had a small following at first and I saw some physical fights the first time someone showed up to a meet with one. Id be all over a 5.0 hybrid but an SUV will be a hard sell in the long run since a lot of hardcore followers wont buy out of principal.
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I ordered some Chinese dongle for wireless CarPlay... hoping it works... if it ever gets here
Does it plug into USB?
 
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Everytime I read see the Mustang Mach E I die a little inside as someone whose deep into the Mustang community (Owning over 40 since getting my license 15 years ago) I dont know a single person even considering it even the Ecoboost had a small following at first and I saw some physical fights the first time someone showed up to a meet with one. Id be all over a 5.0 hybrid but an SUV will be a hard sell in the long run since a lot of hardcore followers wont buy out of principal.
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Does it plug into USB?
yes
 
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Tethered CarPlay is WHACK imo

I like the interface but was shocked to see it put to use requiring it be hooked up, feels like a regression experience wise no matter the technical explanation

That makes it a bit inferior to my bluetooth equipped (non-carplay) vehicle that is always wireless
nah, my rav4 2020 has reg bt, wired carplay and wireless alexa. They all work fine, but I tend to have my iphone 11 hooked up anyway so I use carplay the most plus it doesn't lag or slow down.
 
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