Topic: Auto Tech: MyFord Touch

[Autos_Editor]

Ford's new MyFord Touch system, an extension of its SYNC system, sets a new standard of in-vehicle connectivity and information, says Technical Editor, Jim Kerr.   Highlights include internet access, improved navigation, Google maps access, and simpler phone call commands.

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[D70]

Hello Jim,

Great technology for certain. I like that internet and texting can only be accessed when the vehicle is in park.

Although we have no phone law in BC every day I see driver holding on to their phones and talking while driving. I guess the chances of getting caught by the law enforces are pretty slim!

 The last time I rode my motorcycle I stopped beside a young driver who had stopped past the stop sign, the white line was behind his car, he was on his phone and I was making a left turn in front of him, scary for me.

I said " You know you shouldn't be doing that" his reply was, "my headset is broken". Lack of enforcement of traffic rules is a major problem in the Vancouver area. Driving in the USA police are visible enforcing whereever I driveNot so in the Lower mainland where people flout the laws.

  I really find my GPS useful, take a laptop with me, listen to the radio at times and have no cell/mobile phone.

  So I wonder if the car companies will  one day assume the responsibility for providing gadgets that might distract the driver from driving and keeping both hands on the steering wheel except for changing gears, if the vehicle has a manual transmission?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4911484003/in/set-72157624733706182/

Keep up the good reporting

[CanuckS2K]

Excellent technology for sure and Ford has done an amazing job with their MyFord Touch. 

[tpl]

The vehicle can also become a “hot spot”, where up to five other wireless devices can connect to the same data through a secure password-protected wireless connection. So far, the WiFi system will only rebroadcast the data but Ford communications specialists hinted that there is the possibility in the future of enabling the vehicle to receive data directly through its own wireless antenna. Imagine pulling up to your local Starbucks or Tim Hortons and checking your e-mail on the vehicle display screen without ever getting out of your vehicle.

I can indeed imagine this. I can also imagine how many people will read the manual enough to proper wireless security in their car not just "password-protected".  I can imagine all these Fords DHCP'ing the same  non-routable addresses in cars parked close together in a Timmy's carpark.  I am sure it can be made to work safely and be really useful for people who use their car as an office...but I am not sure I'd want to do my online banking using it.      

I think that it will only be REALLY useful if each car with the system can use a Phone Co 3g/4G network for internet connection rather than relying on a Starbucks. Probably easy to do technically, after all, Iphones and so on can do it at 60 mph not just in Park  but I wonder when we'll see the first screams after people have been online downloading movies for the kids in the back of the minivan and then see the bill.


To MISquote HCRV 'What you won't find in my car is a coffee, cigarette and a WIFI network . What you will find is a driver; imagine that, a driver in a vehicle. What an effing concept!"

[bikenut]

texing , phones,gps , just increase accidents , had this moron hit my car - first thing i yelled at him was why didn't you hit your brakes , he said he was looking at his gps .

[Ice]

This still has voice control correct?  To me that's the biggest innovation... being able to tell my car that I want to play a specific song or randomize my track list while I'm driving down the highway means much less distraction. 

Right now I'd just have to wait till I was parked somewhere to properly change it (the most I will do is feel for the click wheel on my iPod and go to the next track) as I don't have the proprietary and extremely expensive iPod connector for my Corolla.

[CanuckS2K]

^ Yep, it sure does.  It actually has 10k different voice commands........more than any other vehicle I've heard of. 

[CanuckS2K]

Here is a pretty decent demo of the new MyFord Touch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK4QePfcRu0&feature=player_embedded

[Susido]

While I await delivery of my 2011 MKX (with the Lincoln version of MyFord Touch), it's interesting to read preliminary accounts of this impressive technology.

But this is Fords first completely in-house software development and I, for one, am not going to be all that surprised if there's a lot of problems with it, especially initially. First reports are that many voice commands aren't working and that the system (built on Flash) could be a lot more responsive speed wise. Dealers aren't even informed yet on how to reboot the system if and when MyFord Touch becomes unresponsive. My dealer told me they'll have Future Shop techs work on any Sync/communications issues (yikes!).

Another issue is if Ford is going to support some of the many possible Sync services for Canadian customers in the new version. The article makes mention of that and I appreciate the information because Ford sure doesn't go out of their way to explain to Canadians why they can't have the features the Americans get. But if Mapquest and Google maps works on Canadian vehicles, then that is a very good sign things are improving there.

[DP]

Every vehicle with this level of technology should be marked front and rear so I know who to watch out for.

[New2011EdgeOwner]

Anybody tried to get a Rogers USB Rocket Stick to work as a point of connection for the WiFi? Or, only tethered to a BT phone? The Rocket Stick in traditional laptop use has a pop-up to "Connect" and "Disconnect" and that is after first-use when you plug it in an device drivers are loaded.... I have reservations about just sticking it in the USB port and hoping for the best.

[tpl]

Every vehicle with this level of technology should be marked front and rear so I know who to watch out for.

With a big D for Distracted

[CanuckS2K]

Every vehicle with this level of technology should be marked front and rear so I know who to watch out for.

With a big D for Distracted

Are you saying that the MFT system is more distracting than others systems or cars with traditional buttons?

[Ice]

Every vehicle with this level of technology should be marked front and rear so I know who to watch out for.

Or maybe not... especially if you can hit a button on your steering wheel and tell the car to change to the playlist/album/whatever of your choice and set the temperature to 22c all without taking your hands or eyes off the road in the slightest.

Right now if I want to adjust the HVAC controls on my Corolla I take a hand off the wheel, blink down to see where I'm reaching and then adjust the dial by feel. The Corolla has big huge honkin' controls so it's alright but voice controlled sounds very appealing.

[rrocket]

Supposedly, the Edge and Lincolns got yanked from the CR "Recommended" list due to FordMyTouch....

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/04/consumer-reports-pulls-recommended-rating-on-ford-edge/

[CanuckS2K]

Every vehicle with this level of technology should be marked front and rear so I know who to watch out for.

Or maybe not... especially if you can hit a button on your steering wheel and tell the car to change to the playlist/album/whatever of your choice and set the temperature to 22c all without taking your hands or eyes off the road in the slightest.

Right now if I want to adjust the HVAC controls on my Corolla I take a hand off the wheel, blink down to see where I'm reaching and then adjust the dial by feel. The Corolla has big huge honkin' controls so it's alright but voice controlled sounds very appealing.

Exactly.  Pretty much everything I need to do in my new Edge with the MFT system is voice activated.  I don't need to take my hands off the wheel whatsoever, nor even look at the screen if I don't want to.  My Infiniti is the same way.  

So how is the MFT system any more distracting that a traditional system with a gazillion buttons?  Let's take the Acura RL for example.

[CanuckS2K]

Supposedly, the Edge and Lincolns got yanked from the CR "Recommended" list due to FordMyTouch....

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/04/consumer-reports-pulls-recommended-rating-on-ford-edge/

My problem with this is that they probably never spent much time with the Edge.  If you spend only an hour or two with the Edge, sure the MFT can seem complicated.  Once you actually use the system for a couple of days you'll see how intuitive it is.  Trust me, it's FAR more user friendly than bimmer's iDrive system. 

[rrocket]

Supposedly, the Edge and Lincolns got yanked from the CR "Recommended" list due to FordMyTouch....

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/04/consumer-reports-pulls-recommended-rating-on-ford-edge/

My problem with this is that they probably never spent much time with the Edge.  If you spend only an hour or two with the Edge, sure the MFT can seem complicated.  Once you actually use the system for a couple of days you'll see how intuitive it is.  Trust me, it's FAR more user friendly than bimmer's iDrive system. 

I guess it depends.  But there are systems where you don't need "a couple of days" to figure them out.  The haptic mouse set-up in the Lexus is by far the easiest in-car system I've ever used.  Literally I had it figured out with no manual in under 5 minutes.  It's pretty damn sweet.

But you can set-up voice commands with the Ford system and THAT'S pretty damn cool.  I had tried voice commands in the Infiniti M45 "Gloria" and it worked very well....

[Ex-airbalancer]

Every vehicle with this level of technology should be marked front and rear so I know who to watch out for.

Or maybe not... especially if you can hit a button on your steering wheel and tell the car to change to the playlist/album/whatever of your choice and set the temperature to 22c all without taking your hands or eyes off the road in the slightest.

Right now if I want to adjust the HVAC controls on my Corolla I take a hand off the wheel, blink down to see where I'm reaching and then adjust the dial by feel. The Corolla has big huge honkin' controls so it's alright but voice controlled sounds very appealing.

How did I drive all these years without problems 

I drive one handed about 99% of the time anyway

[CanuckS2K]

Supposedly, the Edge and Lincolns got yanked from the CR "Recommended" list due to FordMyTouch....

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/04/consumer-reports-pulls-recommended-rating-on-ford-edge/

My problem with this is that they probably never spent much time with the Edge.  If you spend only an hour or two with the Edge, sure the MFT can seem complicated.  Once you actually use the system for a couple of days you'll see how intuitive it is.  Trust me, it's FAR more user friendly than bimmer's iDrive system. 

I guess it depends.  But there are systems where you don't need "a couple of days" to figure them out.  The haptic mouse set-up in the Lexus is by far the easiest in-car system I've ever used.  Literally I had it figured out with no manual in under 5 minutes.  It's pretty damn sweet.

But you can set-up voice commands with the Ford system and THAT'S pretty damn cool.  I had tried voice commands in the Infiniti M45 "Gloria" and it worked very well....

My point is that technical reviews shouldn't be based solely on an afternoon of testing.  When is the last time you purchased a piece of technology and after playing around with it for a short time could write a professional review of it?

Don't get my wrong the MFT has it's faults (and bugs for that matter), but to me giving it poor marks for over complication means it has been graded by someone that has spent very little time using it.