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Ford Launching CarPlay and Android Auto in 2017 Vehicles With SYNC 3
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That Junk company will be the last. They need to get their cars' quality up from garbage status first.
Choppy as in an iDevice running software that did not come stock with the hardware. Opinions will differ on whether it is "choppy" or not, but if the device ran smoother on a previous OS, then I would consider the new OS to have a more choppy effect on the phone.
Specifically, choppy being the adjective to describe the movement of animations and overall smoothness of the UI. Any slowdowns, lag, or artifacts (which would not have been present on the original software the device came with).
Actually I just saw an article that CarPlay will be included in the next generation of UConnect 8.4. Strangely I also read a report that Toyota is partnering with QNX (same platform Sync 3 runs on) to develop a competitor to CarPlay and Android Auto. Interested to see how that goes.
I've been using the Apple CarPlay touch interface for about four months, and it is highly overrated. Here's some real world feedback:
The functionality is great, but forcing me to extend my arm to find a touch target while navigating traffic is not easy to do. Better solution: integrate with the various selector pads (like the big BMW joystick/wheel or the Mercedes touch pad) combined with tactile feedback when you hover over one of the icons would be much better.
Another problem with the interface is bad usage of the screen. The initial array of icons can't be rearranged, forcing me to keep app icons on the home screen I don't want, and relegating a couple of my favorites to a second screen.
Once you enter an app, the only interface option for selecting content is a scrolling list, which can only show three or four items. Instead of a scrolling list, I'd really prefer a grid of icons for the content, which could show many more choices on the screen. At least fifty year old AM radios gave you a row of five or six presets — only one click needed!
Mind blowing!
But my comment was superficial; as pointed out, the system is just an app, and performance shouldn't really change with versions as does the iPhone, iPad, and other iDevices.
I have a 2015 Ford Focus; it got the Sync 2 (version 3.8) upgrade which gives Siri Hands Free, but NOT carplay. Plus, from my understanding there is no plan on fords part to upgrade the older sync hardware to Sync3, The reason is that Sync3 expects a capacitive touch (multi touch) screen while the older models have resistive touch, plus ford wanted to simplify hardware support for their new OS/Sync system.
So your F150 will get (if it doesn't already have) Siri eyes free, but don't expect the full Sync3 update.
However ford has promised to keep updating Sycn2 with needed bug fixes (though maybe no new features)
CarPlay is a sort of virtual application, it's not an OS at all. It runs on top of the manufacturer's OS as an app, so it will always function the way it is intended.
Take a close look at those bundles, they all include the hardware required to run CarPlay...without the bundle, the standard systems don't have the screen to support nor the power to smoothly operate it.
And if he's in a modern car, it will nudge him to stay in the lane, alert him if he's doing something dumb, and break for traffic in front of him. Alongside this supposedly distracting touch screen (as if it's any worse than a hundred buttons that you can't even recognize but can feel - that's why controls are built into the steering wheel and work with CarPlay), are safety features that you ignore.
It can't be a true competitor unless they plan to sell it to all the other companies - it's missing the point completely. I doubt that it really exists anyway.
What I was saying, to get the sound system to play CarPlay you will get the sunroof as part of the bundle. One manufacture calls it the "Sun & Sound Package" as one example. The other is the option is only available on models XYZ with a good number of added options, all adding significant costs. Try this go to the dealer, ask for base model, then add only the sound option to play CarPlay. Very surprised if you will be able to add it. Bundling has added significant costs to the car. Not a bad thing in itself, like cable bundles, just annoying and costly IMO.
You can install a 3rd party stereo that supports it like the Pioneer AppRadio 4 or other system.
There will be some settling down of the market required when all is said and done with CarPlay and AA. A revenue stream is slowly being taken away from automakers in navigation packs (Generally quite profitable because most of the content is given away whether you take the pack or not), and as touchscreens become standard equipment, they'll no longer be able to charge for those. Add in the costs of developing systems for CarPlay and AA (Remember that it's not simply a dumb screen mirroring your phone) and there's a lot of cost and no revenue for these options.
Do you know if this is something a Ford dealer would do if I brought it to them or just a third party service provider?
This is probably why the time is ripe for Apple to create their own car and blow up the entire market... Everything from UX to the buying process... No more gazillions of upsell options... Just good, better, best... Choose a couple of colors, get approved for financing/leasing and check out.
So where in the market will they enter at? Luxury? Mid-range? Budget?
Vehicle size? B-Car/C-Car/Full-Size/SUV/Pick-up - Also, which body style
Color choices - Which ones? Why do few color choices benefit anyone but the manufacturer?
Few option packs - Which ones? Why do you think making people pay for options they don't want is a good thing?
Where to build them - One plant isn't enough if it's a global vehicle. Build them in the US and you have unions to worry about.
Local regulations - How does such a basic business model meet all of the worldwide regulations (i.e. those that mandate mpg versus those that mandate emissions)
Sales channels - Are you going to sell these in Apple stores? Some idiots might buy them without driving them, but you need an appropriate sales network
All that is before you even start to look at the actual feat of designing, engineering and manufacturing a vehicle, with all of the logistical challenges that come with managing that supply chain. The way that Apple does this is through a tie in with a manufacturer (Such as the one rumored to be announced by Google at CES), or they outsource the engineering and get a contract manufacturer to actually build it for them. The set up costs for a new plant are enormous, are a drain on man-power and resources, and a long-term investment.
Oh, I understand what you mean. I thought you were referring the media center bundling CarPlay. Like I mentioned earlier, my car shipped without CarPlay and I had to pay over $600 for it, I'd be happier with the bundling of some other feature.
If Apple gets into this space, and I suspect they will, my guess is, it won't look much different than how Apple's operated all these years... Create a great product with few customization options which creates economies/increases margins and makes the buying decision easier for users. Once they've gained a foothold, they'll expand the line over time.
If little ol' Tesla can do it, I'm sure Apple can figure it out too. I don't understand why some people think entering the auto market is nigh impossible. Many "experts" said the same thing when Apple entered the MP3 player market... A computer company can't successfully sell CE products... A company that sells computers and MP3 players can't possibly succeed in a cellphone market... They have to deal with hundreds of carriers, different chipsets, frequencies, etc. Oh wait, but a car is completely different animal... No. It's just another industry made up by people.
Perhaps working for a conglomerate that sells everything from TVs to electric shavers to computers to avionics equipment gives me a better vantage point in this regard... No market is impenetrable if the resources and the will exists.
Great. I just bought a '15 F-150
In a similar boat- just got a 2016 Fusion. Software update for Siri Hands Free sounds great, but I'm wondering whether Sync will also get an update to integrate the iPhone with their cars more in other ways. I'd really love it if my turn by turn navigation on my phone synced with my car...
Since a long press of the steering wheel's voice command button is all that's needed to access Siri, the beauty of Eyes Free is that the phone is put away and the driver's eyes are on the road.
Like I said, it seems much faster & accurate when I hold the home button on my 6s
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Bluetooth usually takes care of that, no ?
The dealer won't install 3rd party stereos. Any car audio place will do so. Stay away from having Best Buy do it though as they generally mess things up. I've personally had a bad experience with their install guys (they refuse to use certified installers as it would mean they'd have to pay them more) and know many others that have had issues there too.