[nummypuppies]

Can we get a discussion going for the MyFordTouch and Sync systems? I'm having some gripes about features on the stock setup. It is my understanding that the FiST is the only car to come with the 6.5 inch screen so far. The 8 inch systems seem to be updated more frequently. My current concerns are:

1) No AppLink support as of yet
2) No video playback
3) No navigation
4) Slow responsiveness
5) Watered down audio EQ options
6) Inaccurate touch selections
7) Ford promised a web browser

What we know is that our system is a Microsoft and flash based interface. The use of Flash explains a lot of the unresponsiveness. The availability of documentation relating to this is severely lacking. We also know that the system is updated via USB installer. So it is safe to assume that the system is as capable as any computer, probably similar in power to a Raspberry Pi and possibly running an ARM architecture. These are just speculations. What I am hoping to achieve is the ability to run a GNU Linux in place of the standard operating system. I would be willing to write some code along the way. But the true purpose of this post is to start a discussion on possible alternatives and to aggregate knowledge relating to our system.

 

[Sil3nt611]

If you bought a car that has the navigation option you would have navigation. It doesn't come standard.

I heard there was a web browser but I haven't played with MFT enough to know if there is. I can't really think of what use it would be though.

The video playback thing wouldn't be something I'd find use for either. If I'm in my car I'm probably driving it. If I'm watching a movie I'll do that at home on my 42" TV.

 

[ST_Rocky]

What I'd want, is a performance screen option, with gauges like turbo boost and such (like the Renault had in the Top Gear video with our FiST in it recently).

I had installed a Pioneer Z3 nav in my old R32, and it had a screen with g-force meters on it. Came in kinda handy at track and AutoX events.

 

[FordIVTteam]

Can we get a discussion going for the MyFordTouch and Sync systems? I'm having some gripes about features on the stock setup. It is my understanding that the FiST is the only car to come with the 6.5 inch screen so far. The 8 inch systems seem to be updated more frequently. My current concerns are:

1) No AppLink support as of yet
2) No video playback
3) No navigation
4) Slow responsiveness
5) Watered down audio EQ options
6) Inaccurate touch selections
7) Ford promised a web browser

What we know is that our system is a Microsoft and flash based interface. The use of Flash explains a lot of the unresponsiveness. The availability of documentation relating to this is severely lacking. We also know that the system is updated via USB installer. So it is safe to assume that the system is as capable as any computer, probably similar in power to a Raspberry Pi and possibly running an ARM architecture. These are just speculations. What I am hoping to achieve is the ability to run a GNU Linux in place of the standard operating system. I would be willing to write some code along the way. But the true purpose of this post is to start a discussion on possible alternatives and to aggregate knowledge relating to our system.

Hi nummypuppies,

I don't have much information on hacks or mods, but I can shed some light on the updates. You are correct; the FiestaST is currently the only vehicle that has the 6.5 inch screen MyFord Touch system. It may seem like it isn't updated as often as the larger screens because the Fiesta ST is still fairly new. The same updates are actually used for both screen sizes. The latest software is V3.6.2. Verify by touching SETTINGS > HELP > SYSTEM INFORMATION. The last 5 digits of the CCPU number should be: 13171.

AppLink is currently not available on any vehicles equipped with MyFord Touch. If you'd like to access apps from your phone, pull them up and press the VOICE COMMAND button on your steering wheel and say BLUETOOTH AUDIO. Basic voice commands for this can be found at the bottom of this page: http://support.ford.com/sync-technology/entertainment-by-voice-sync-myford-touch

Navigation is optional on vehicles with MyFord Touch. If you're located in the United States, you also have the option of using SYNC Services: http://support.ford.com/sync-technology/sync-services-overview-sync-myford-touch which allows you to hear turn-by-turn driving directions through the speakers of the vehicle. Log in here to activate services: www.Support.Ford.com

I heard there was a web browser but I haven't played with MFT enough to know if there is. I can't really think of what use it would be though.

Hey Sil3nt611,

The Fiesta ST allows you to create a wireless network in your vehicle using a broadband mobile USB device or by connecting to a mobile hotspot. For more information on this feature, check page 310 on the 3rd printing of the Owner's Manual found here: http://www.fordservicecontent.com/F...ner's-Manual-Third-Print_om_en-us_10_2013.pdf MyFord Touch systems currently do not allow access to a web browser.

Kim

 

[nummypuppies]

Hi nummypuppies,

I don't have much information on hacks or mods, but I can shed some light on the updates. You are correct; the FiestaST is currently the only vehicle that has the 6.5 inch screen MyFord Touch system. It may seem like it isn't updated as often as the larger screens because the Fiesta ST is still fairly new. The same updates are actually used for both screen sizes. The latest software is V3.6.2. Verify by touching SETTINGS > HELP > SYSTEM INFORMATION. The last 5 digits of the CCPU number should be: 13171.

AppLink is currently not available on any vehicles equipped with MyFord Touch. If you'd like to access apps from your phone, pull them up and press the VOICE COMMAND button on your steering wheel and say BLUETOOTH AUDIO. Basic voice commands for this can be found at the bottom of this page: http://support.ford.com/sync-technology/entertainment-by-voice-sync-myford-touch

Navigation is optional on vehicles with MyFord Touch. If you're located in the United States, you also have the option of using SYNC Services: http://support.ford.com/sync-technology/sync-services-overview-sync-myford-touch which allows you to hear turn-by-turn driving directions through the speakers of the vehicle. Log in here to activate services: www.Support.Ford.com


Hey Sil3nt611,

The Fiesta ST allows you to create a wireless network in your vehicle using a broadband mobile USB device or by connecting to a mobile hotspot. For more information on this feature, check page 310 on the 3rd printing of the Owner's Manual found here: http://www.fordservicecontent.com/F...ner's-Manual-Third-Print_om_en-us_10_2013.pdf MyFord Touch systems currently do not allow access to a web browser.

Kim

Thank you Kim. I'm hoping to achieve added functionality to our current system. The wifi is a nice option but it is pretty misunderstood. The sync navigation is a good step forward, but pales in functionality when compared to services offered by mobile phones. I can't imagine that this system met the expectations set when it was concieved. It feels like it was rushed. But still it is a nice system and I think that it has a lot of potential.

ST_Rocky, the first thing that comes to mind is the bluetooth OBD adapter coupled with an app like Torque. Right now that is probably the best option and will give the performance minded displays you're looking for very inexpensively. If we can get some light shed on our MFT and could get a custom operating system running, it would be a very realistic expectation to add a similar functionality.

Back to Kim, I really don't mean to disrespect our system in any way and it is already miles ahead of cars with systems at comparable pricing. You guys have done a decent job to this point and I am frankly quite impressed with the speed of your response. I would be more than willing to collaborate on this assuming there is an SDK or similar software package floating around.

 

[reddog99]

FYI, although the "navigation" is not standard, ALL of the Fiesta MFT systems already have the GPS hardware built right in. Although you don't have maps, etc., you can still see the latitude, longitude, and elevation produced by the system. This is an area that I'd like to see open source dig into so we could get better navigation options.

As far as videos go, that's illegal if it's in view of the driver, for obvious reasons.

 

[9]

I still don't understand why Ford doesn't offer a post-purchase Nav upgrade. Not everyone orders there cars.

 

[Sil3nt611]

As far as videos go, that's illegal if it's in view of the driver, for obvious reasons.

Illegal for manufacturers to include video on the screen? Or illegal for the driver to watch the video while driving? The Focus and Escape both have video functionality on their MFTs, and I wouldn't doubt the rest of them do as well. So I wouldn't say it's illegal to have video on the screen. On the other hand, it's a no brainer that the driver shouldn't be watching a video while driving. I'm just not going to sit in my car and watch a movie if I can go home, or use my laptop in the hotel room if I'm on a trip, to watch that movie on a larger screen.

 

[reddog99]

My understanding is that it's illegal if it's in view of the driver. But maybe that's just California...

 

[FordIVTteam]

Thank you Kim. I'm hoping to achieve added functionality to our current system. The wifi is a nice option but it is pretty misunderstood. The sync navigation is a good step forward, but pales in functionality when compared to services offered by mobile phones. I can't imagine that this system met the expectations set when it was concieved. It feels like it was rushed. But still it is a nice system and I think that it has a lot of potential.
...
Back to Kim, I really don't mean to disrespect our system in any way and it is already miles ahead of cars with systems at comparable pricing. You guys have done a decent job to this point and I am frankly quite impressed with the speed of your response. I would be more than willing to collaborate on this assuming there is an SDK or similar software package floating around.

No worries! I completely understand where you're coming from. I'm just here to share information where it may be helpful. I won't take anything personally.

FYI, although the "navigation" is not standard, ALL of the Fiesta MFT systems already have the GPS hardware built right in. Although you don't have maps, etc., you can still see the latitude, longitude, and elevation produced by the system. This is an area that I'd like to see open source dig into so we could get better navigation options.
...

There has been confusion around the SD cards, so I want to be clear. An SD card loaded with the map data will not work if inserted into the SD card slot of a vehicle that was not originally equipped with navigation. You are correct, though; the MyFord Touch does have the capability of showing latitude and longitude information.

Illegal for manufacturers to include video on the screen? Or illegal for the driver to watch the video while driving? The Focus and Escape both have video functionality on their MFTs, and I wouldn't doubt the rest of them do as well. So I wouldn't say it's illegal to have video on the screen. On the other hand, it's a no brainer that the driver shouldn't be watching a video while driving. I'm just not going to sit in my car and watch a movie if I can go home, or use my laptop in the hotel room if I'm on a trip, to watch that movie on a larger screen.

A vehicle equipped with audio/video input jacks that has a MyFord Touch screen will allow video to play while the vehicle is parked. It is a speed restricted feature. You'll see here that the 2014 Fiesta is not equipped with this option: http://www.ford.com/technology/sync/?vehicle=fiesta&year=2014

Kim

 

[jariten]

My understanding is that it's illegal if it's in view of the driver. But maybe that's just California...

In most states /localities I've seen the law reads 'video screen in view of the driver'. There have been some pushes to change it to actually watching videos rather than just a screen (since things like backup cameras are video screens in view of the driver) but they haven't received any traction yet.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

 

[nummypuppies]

Is it safe to assume that we'll see an AppLink v2 update when the beta is finished? I think that would really put us into a good position.

I still don't understand why Ford doesn't offer a post-purchase Nav upgrade. Not everyone orders there cars.

I've been looking for reasons, but I just can't find anything concrete. AppLink v2 promises to allow mobile phones to display data on the screen as long as it passes Ford approval or whatnot. Check out the TeleNav Scout for Ford if you feel like getting a little jelly.

 

[9]

If that is the case, hopefully iOS in the car will follow.

 

[WScottCross]

Is it safe to assume that we'll see an AppLink v2 update when the beta is finished? I think that would really put us into a good position.

I hope so. Pandora display and control was the major thing I miss from my 2011 SES.

On a positive note, I found that some features of MFT are better than the old system with Applink. The new system will auto-reconnect to my Nokia Music+ via bluetooth on my Nokia 822 and resume my offline mixes. The old system would require me to press the voice command button and re-initiate "Mobile Apps" and "Pandora". Music+ now has thumbs up and thumbs down in addition to offline mixes so it doesn't hit my data plan continuously. So I guess in reality, I'm pretty OK with the system as it is. More options are always better, but I can live with it as is.

 

[ST_Rocky]

Here is something interesting I found. Seems Trapster is able to be installed on the (now) older VW RNS510 NAV/radio system. Would be really nice if we could get it integrated into our Ford My Touch / Sync system. Not only would we have navigation, but could show speed traps, red light cameras, and other info on the map screen.

https://getsatisfaction.com/trapste...eat_and_skoda_rns510_in_car_navigation_system

 

[Sil3nt611]

EDIT: Wrong thread...

 

[LotusZX3]

New update is out for MyFord Touch. Has anyone installed yet??

 

[WScottCross]

My account says mine is up to date as of August. Don't go by the main page, that update doesn't apply to our vehicles.

 

[LotusZX3]

That's kinda what i thought. A co-worker with an escape just told me he had an update and i got excited....

 

[reddog99]

There has been confusion around the SD cards, so I want to be clear. An SD card loaded with the map data will not work if inserted into the SD card slot of a vehicle that was not originally equipped with navigation....Kim

That's where the "hacking" would come in. Ford has to install the maps somehow.