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Ford announces CarPlay and Android Auto for Sync 3

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#21 ·
#22 ·
Ford seems to roll out updates in the fall, around the same time as the Navigation Map updates come out.
 
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#23 ·
@FordIVTteam -- Is there some email list or other notification mechanism that we can sign up for to know when an update is available? I connect the car to wifi infrequently (and indeed the need to do so is infrequent), but I'd certainly like to know when the Sync 3 upgrade is rolled out for the 2016 model year cars...
 
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#24 ·
Hi QuidNYC,

I'm not sure how owners will be notified later in the year for the Android Auto and Apple Carplay updates. There should be more information released at a later date on Media.Ford.com and your Owner.Ford.com account. Besides setting up SYNC 3 to enable the Automatic System Updates, I suggest periodically checking the SYNC & HOW-TOS area of your Owner account for update notifications. Here's the link for setting up automatic Wi-Fi updates:

Receiving Automatic SYNC 3 System Updates Through Wi-Fi | | Ford How-to Video

Hope that helps!

Rebecca
 
#26 ·
Hi BeefStu,

CarPlay & Android Auto will be available on all 2017 vehicles (equipped with SYNC3). The site is giving you information based on if you're purchasing a new vehicle. The update for current SYNC 3 owners has not been released.

Shaay
 
#27 ·
Hi All,

I saw this note in the Ford owner site. It appears that adding Apple CarPlay to a 2016 Escape will require a SYNC 3 software update in addition to purchasing additional hardware. I thought this was interesting as I was hoping for a sofware only update. Hope this additional hardware isn't going to cost an arm and a leg. I wonder if this upgrade will also provide for remote start via mobile app... one can wish.

160. Available feature. Don’t drive while distracted. Use voice-operated systems when possible; don’t use handheld devices while driving. Apple CarPlay is available on 2017 models with SYNC 3; owners of 2016 models with SYNC 3 are required to perform a software upgrade and purchase a hardware upgrade. Requires phone with compatible version of Apple iOS and active data service. SYNC does not control Apple CarPlay while in use. Apple is solely responsible for their functionality. Message and data rates may apply. Apple CarPlay,™ iPad,® iPod,® iPhone,® iTunes,® and Siri are trademarks of Apple Inc.

Thanks
 
#28 ·
Garv21 said:
It appears that adding Apple CarPlay to a 2016 Escape will require a SYNC 3 software update in addition to purchasing additional hardware. I thought this was interesting as I was hoping for a sofware only update. Hope this additional hardware isn't going to cost an arm and a leg. I wonder if this upgrade will also provide for remote start via mobile app... one can wish.
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Interestingly, the footnote regarding Android Auto (#161) doesn't include the same language regarding a required hardware upgrade for the 2016 models as indicated in the Apple CarPlay footnote (#160). My guess (and it's just a guess) is that they may need to do some kind of update to the USB port(s) for CarPlay compatibility, but not for Android Auto. But I guess we'll find out -- hopefully soon.

Regarding SYNC Connect, it remains an open question (and for me, an interesting one) whether an owner of a 2016 Ford Escape with Sync 3 can go to a dealer and get hardware upgrades (maybe DL3Z-19A390-B and GJ5Z-19A361-A?) such that their vehicles will be recognized by the FordPass app as "SYNC Connect capable" like the 2017 models. I'm guessing this would cost something on the order of $1,000 -- assuming it's even possible and the software allows / will allow for it. But if it can be done, Ford should tell us!
 
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#29 ·
I believe all that's needed for CarPlay is a new MCM (the module with the USB ports). At least that's all I ever had to change out during testing. I can't recall swapping one on an Escape during testing, but in most vehicles it's quick and easy. Probably some hardware requirement from Apple for CarPlay support or certification, etc. but I haven't asked why to be honest.
 
#30 ·
QuidNYC said:
Interestingly, the footnote regarding Android Auto (#161) doesn't include the same language regarding a required hardware upgrade for the 2016 models as indicated in the Apple CarPlay footnote (#160). My guess (and it's just a guess) is that they may need to do some kind of update to the USB port(s) for CarPlay compatibility, but not for Android Auto. But I guess we'll find out -- hopefully soon.
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Do you have a link to where you saw these footnotes? I am having trouble finding them.
 
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#31 ·
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#32 ·
#33 ·
FordIVTteam said:
A hardware upgrade is not needed for Android Auto or Carplay. These features will be added in an update to current SYNC 3 equipped vehicles this year.
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I think we'd all prefer this to be so, but footnote #160 on the page linked above appears to be explicit enough that it must be referring to something specific arising from Apple CarPlay compatibility (whereas the note for Android Auto makes no reference to a hardware upgrade).

160. Available feature. Don’t drive while distracted. Use voice-operated systems when possible; don’t use handheld devices while driving. Apple CarPlay is available on 2017 models with SYNC 3; owners of 2016 models with SYNC 3 are required to perform a software upgrade and purchase a hardware upgrade. Requires phone with compatible version of Apple iOS and active data service. SYNC does not control Apple CarPlay while in use. Apple is solely responsible for their functionality. Message and data rates may apply. Apple CarPlay,tm iPad,® iPod,® iPhone,® iTunes,® and Siri are trademarks of Apple Inc.
Click to expand...
161. Available feature. Don’t drive while distracted. Use voice-operated systems when possible; don’t use handheld devices while driving. Android Auto is available on 2017 models with SYNC 3; owners of 2016 models with SYNC 3 are required to perform a software upgrade. Requires phone with compatible version of Android Auto and active data service. SYNC does not control Android Auto while in use. Google is solely responsible for their functionality. Message and data rates may apply. Android Auto, Google and Google Maps are trademarks of Google Inc.
Click to expand...
 
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#34 ·
I had a chance to try the Iphone in my 2017 w/ sync3. When the phone was plugged in the screen on the dash changed over to a screen with iphone-esque icons. It would also change the screen depending on what was opened on the phone itself.

I normally use a windows phone, which doesnt do the car play thing, but does seem to work fine for all the bluetooth phone/text features.
 
#35 ·
QuidNYC said:
I think we'd all prefer this to be so, but footnote #160 on the page linked above appears to be explicit enough that it must be referring to something specific arising from Apple CarPlay compatibility (whereas the note for Android Auto makes no reference to a hardware upgrade).
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Could it be that the people on the Ford In Vehicle Technology Team @FordIVTteam might be might be a bit more in the know than what Ford has released to their public relations people?
 
#36 ·
atlcarl69 said:
Could it be that the people on the Ford In Vehicle Technology Team @FordIVTteam might be might be a bit more in the know than what Ford has released to their public relations people?
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Ironically enough I work in PR... :) And while I'm not sure how Ford staffs the @FordIVTteam handle, I'd say it's more likely to be folks from their social media (PR) team than engineers on their downtime.

Like I said, I'd prefer if the bit about a hardware upgrade were incorrect. But the information on the web site had to come from somewhere. We started with very limited information (i.e., "we'll give you details later in 2016") and now Ford has posted these disclaimers. Presumably the subject matter experts had a hand in that -- I know from firsthand experience that companies don't tend to release information like this without it having some kind of basis in reality.

As @UofMEngineer suggested, it's possible that some kind of minor hardware change (such as to the USB microcontroller module) will be required for full compatibility certification from Apple -- even if the system might work fine without it.
 
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#37 ·
From a technical standpoint, the USB port of any head unit (factory or aftermarket) needs the ability to work as a host as well as a peripheral.

Let me explain. With CarPlay and Android Auto, the devices connected to the head unit serve information to it. In order for key presses (which in either case includes touching the screen of the head unit, using the knobs, or using the steering wheel controls) to control an Apple or Android device, the head unit has to work as a peripheral. Let me explain.

In host mode, devices connected are enumerated (enumeration allows the head unit to easily find the device, it is a term for giving it a computer searchable address in the head units memory) and set up as an input (to serve data or give commands). The host takes in this input and handles displaying/playing it. This is how you are able to use a phone as a media player. The head unit acts as a host, which allows it to access the storage of the phone.

In peripheral mode, the head unit acts as an input device and the phone is the host. If you have ever used CarPlay, apps that are opened on the head unit are also opened on the phone. In order to receive commands for the apps, the head unit has to emulate being a peripheral (such as a keyboard or mouse, in the case of a phone it acts as the digitizer (the thing that turns screen presses into "clicks" on a capacitive screen)).

There is a difference. In host mode, searching through media is not the same as input. It is just a function of having searchable and browsable files, in the perspective of a computer. However, a host cannot provide input. Opening an app and browsing through (which is something that is not static storage like media files) require the user to give input to the app. This can only happen in peripheral mode.

I hope this all made sense. In regards to changing the module, it may have something to do with how the head unit's computer sees the USB port. Some USB hubs do not support host mode, some do. The two ports in the FEs are basically a hub. This may be the case with some of the 2016 FEs. It may be that on some of the later manufactured models they added it to prepare for the Sync upgrade. That is something the @FordIVTteam would be able to find out.
 
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#38 ·
So please clear this up for me. We have a 2016 Titanium with Sync 3 and really, really want Car Play. Does anyone know definitively WHEN this will be available to us and IF it will be on a normal update? (Without hardware or firmware update required).
 
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