[Del]

The Witch is dead, the Witch is dead... sorry wrong forum Ford is now abandoning the Microsoft sourced STNC system thats given 95% of customers fits. The replacement will be supplied by QNX a division of BlackBerry.

Before you pour your BB jokes on consider that QNX supplies software to VW, BMW, GM, Chrysler, Jaguars and Land Rovers. Ford says the QNX units will cost less to acquire than from Microsoft. Ford should be able to eliminate their major detractor of quality since 2010.

Although that does hve degrees of absurdity...Since when does the strength of your bluetooth connection determine the quality rating of XYZ vehicle. You and I [should] know that's absurd..... A to B right

One more thing for the fanboys... BB10 OS (UNIX-based, nothing in common with Java-based BB7 OS) is arguably more modern than your iOS or Android...

 

[tmillar]

Good for BlackBerry. They deserve something good to happen to them, and I bet they will make a better system than what Ford has been selling people over the past number of years. Ford would always lose points in surveys and reviews because of its infotainment system so this was definitely a wise move.

Does anybody know what the first vehicle to receive the new system will be?

 

[ted]

How much of an impact on Blackberry's growth do you think this will have? Is this something that will make them once again a great brand?

 

[carryon]

Good for blackberry. is it enough to save them though?

and also good for Ford. hopefully people will stop ripping their hair out now

 

[Del]

Blackberry bought QNX way back when they were still known as RIM. This is not exactly new territory for them either, QNX is well established in the automotive software world...

QNX supply's software for...

Standard Blue Tooth in all Acuras
Standard Blue Tooth in Honda Accord, Odyssey and Pilot
Audi Multi Media Interface in A8L, Q5 and A6
BMW uses QNX based infotainment in 7 series and all M models
UConnect in the Chrysler Pacifica
Functions of GM's OnStar is based on QNX software
Hyundais Mobis MTS-1 navigation system
Range Rovers digital instrument cluster and dynamic operating modes
Porsche's PCM system (central control of EVERYTHING)

QNX in Automotive

 

[Del]

Maybe now people will be able to actually focus on the vehicle, not this insignificant piece of plastic in the dash. I mean the fact that CR and JD can only find fault with MyFord Touch is pretty indicative of the solid MECHANICAL quality of their products.

At the other end of the spectrum, Jeep and Ford tied for the lowest score (50). Jeep has a mix of spotty reliability and mediocre road-test results. While a number of recent Ford models are very nice to drive and earn solid test scores, the brand continues to have reliability problems, especially with its MyFord Touch system. Three other Detroit brands, Dodge, Cadillac and Chevrolet round out the bottom five.

I cant be the only one who feels this is pure lunacy. To me reliability issues involve things like not starting or you know brakes fecking off, not piddly nonsense like my touch screen lags and my texts aren't being articulated correctly.

 

[carryon]

that is what i believe to but i guess people consider the tech features to be part of reliability as well

 

[Del]

that is what i believe to but i guess people consider the tech features to be part of reliability as well

but is it reliability or is it a learning curve. Everyone I've ever spoken with who has taken the time to get to know the SYNC system absolutely love it. Its people who take no time to do their due diligence who complain, as if its someone elses fault that they refuse to learn/do their homework...

 

[carryon]

i say burn the witch!

 

[Chance]

but is it reliability or is it a learning curve. Everyone I've ever spoken with who has taken the time to get to know the SYNC system absolutely love it. Its people who take no time to do their due diligence who complain, as if its someone elses fault that they refuse to learn/do their homework...

If excessive electronics and or media connectivity is an option, then i would agree with you 100 percent. On the other hand if it is incorporated as a standard or as part of a package in order to "force" buyers to get the system even if they prefer something simpler, then I'd disagree with your take on buyers not wanting to learn.

Some people may think that cars should be simple enough that driving then should be intuitive. Others obviously disagree.

Last week I got a Ford C-Max hybrid as a rental car upgrade and it was a pain. There wasn't even an owner's manual so I had to figure everything I needed on my own. It felt more like an arcade than a car. I get we are moving in that direction but it's not necessarily a good thing. Years ago when I traveled a lot for business all rental cars were pretty much the same. All I had to find was where the rear view mirrors adjusted, how to release the parking brakes, and how to turn the lights on. Whether it was a Toyota, Ford, or Chevy it didn't take long because they were all the same for the most part.

I don't disagree that with time and an owner's manual I should be able to figure out how to work the radio and get messages while driving, but I'm not as sure that the amount of connectivity Ford (and others) are trying to include for the driver is a good thing at all. I view it as a huge distraction that leads to more accidents.

 

[ted]

but is it reliability or is it a learning curve. Everyone I've ever spoken with who has taken the time to get to know the SYNC system absolutely love it. Its people who take no time to do their due diligence who complain, as if its someone elses fault that they refuse to learn/do their homework...

Maybe these guys should consider doing a long term reliability test to let all this stuff sink in to be fair

 

[Mc2guy]

Maybe these guys should consider doing a long term reliability test to let all this stuff sink in to be fair

Well, I'm going to offer an opposing opinion. I have a Ford with the Sync my Ford Touch system with Navigation. I am an engineer, technically savvy, use technology regularly and have used the system for 2.5 years.

It is a DISASTER!

The system, when it works, is nice. The interface is pretty, the navigation works well, the infotainment options are great...when it works. The problem is the system only works 70% of the time. There are days where my phone will quite literally take 5 minutes to sync. Or not at all. Or halfway sync. Imagine a scenario where the phone rings through the speakers indication it is connected via Bluetooth and you try to answer, and the system doesn't respond...At all. Not the steering wheel controls, not to the screen controls. Imagine a dead screen while the phone rings and rings. Then the whole system goes to black and reboots itself.

This also happens when attempting to enter addresses in the Nav.

This is fairly common, and to say it's frustrating is an understatement. Ford can't dump Microsoft fast enough, IMO.

 

[mlts22]

Apple is using QNX as their basis for their CarPlay system.

QNX isn't a newcomer... it predates Linux by about nine years, and is a quite mature, very secure, very resilient OS. Ford going with this is extremely wise.

Caveat: Microsoft's OS is half the battle. The big issue will be Ford writing the application that sits on Neutrino and have that tested and stable.

 

[orton]

My approach is to use a tablet for everything that Sync is supposed to do. Cheaper than a high end built in radio and far easier to keep current as new ideas develop. Think about how dated a high end radio is today in a 5 year old car. If I buy a Transit, the radio will be the radio that is one step above the base radio so I get the 4" information screen. Could care less about the radio but want the information screen.

 

[79Ranger]

I don't have Sync in any of my Fords, but the OL has one in here 2010 Lincoln and has never had an issue with it and has worked fine since day one.

 

[carryon]

that is good to hear 79ranger

 

[Mc2guy]

Sync is separate from "My Ford Touch" which is the touch screen interface with navigation. Sync is the control system and voice command system that allows you to interface with the radio. It seems the combination of the two (touchscreen and Sync) is the biggest problem, not just the voice command interface.

Mine is so painful to use that unless I'm taking a long trip, I use my phone for around town navigation... it is 10x faster and the directions are equivalent and can be accessed by voice commands that are more user friendly than Sync (IOS 7).

 

[Del]

Sync is separate from "My Ford Touch" which is the touch screen interface with navigation. Sync is the control system and voice command system that allows you to interface with the radio. It seems the combination of the two (touchscreen and Sync) is the biggest problem, not just the voice command interface.

Mine is so painful to use that unless I'm taking a long trip, I use my phone for around town navigation... it is 10x faster and the directions are equivalent and can be accessed by voice commands that are more user friendly than Sync (IOS 7).

Well and I think the biggest issue is the entire SYNC/My Touch Interface is running on architecture based on Windows 98... as "good" as 98 was for its time, its painfully outdated at this point.

A friend of mine is a ford tech and he was telling me usually the simplest fix for SYNC glitches is a system reboot. Mauybe not convenient but would you rather a trip to the dealer or a 5 minute system refresh. Pro Tip, the dealer usually just does a system reboot when you take it in anyways

 

[carryon]

windows 98....

 

[ted]

Well, I'm going to offer an opposing opinion. I have a Ford with the Sync my Ford Touch system with Navigation. I am an engineer, technically savvy, use technology regularly and have used the system for 2.5 years.

It is a DISASTER!

The system, when it works, is nice. The interface is pretty, the navigation works well, the infotainment options are great...when it works. The problem is the system only works 70% of the time. There are days where my phone will quite literally take 5 minutes to sync. Or not at all. Or halfway sync. Imagine a scenario where the phone rings through the speakers indication it is connected via Bluetooth and you try to answer, and the system doesn't respond...At all. Not the steering wheel controls, not to the screen controls. Imagine a dead screen while the phone rings and rings. Then the whole system goes to black and reboots itself.

This also happens when attempting to enter addresses in the Nav.

This is fairly common, and to say it's frustrating is an understatement. Ford can't dump Microsoft fast enough, IMO.

Thanks for sharing your experience, what a horrible experience that was. Even GM fails at this too, seems like it's a common problem among domestic car makers.