- MyFord Touch
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The MyFord Touch System's 8" LCD screen, as implemented in a 2011 Ford Edge
MyFord Touch (branded as MyLincoln Touch on Ford's Lincoln brand products.[1]) is an in-car communications and entertainment system developed by the Ford Motor Company and Microsoft. The technology comes factory installed with Ford's product offerings and is based on the Microsoft Auto 4.0 software platform. It is regarded as the next-generation of Ford Sync. Announced in January 2010, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the technology launched with the 2011 Ford Edge.
Contents
Overview
MyFord Touch enables drivers of Ford's car offerings to seamlessly integrate nearly all mobile phones, PDAs and digital media players into their cars. Operation of these devices, utilizing advanced Ford Sync functionality, is performed using voice commands, touch-screen inputs, the vehicle's steering wheel, radio controls, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.[1]
MyFord Touch enables users to operate various portable devices (e.g. MP3 players, Bluetooth enabled phones and USB devices) using simple voice commands. MyFord Touch is also capable of receiving text messages and reading these text messages aloud to occupants of the car.
As a stand-alone option, the MSRP is $1,000. Purchasers of this option, on Ford brand products, get the MyFord Touch system with two driver-configurable 4.2" color LCD displays in the gauge cluster, one 8" color LCD touch screen in the center stack, a media hub with 2 USB ports, SD card reader, RCA video input jacks and 5-way controls located on steering wheel; Sync voice activated communications and entertainment system (Free three year pre-paid subscription for 911 Assist, Vehicle Health Reports, traffic reports, GPS-based turn by turn driving directions and information services).[2]
MyFord Touch was recognized by PC Magazine.[3]
Features
- Traffic, Directions and Information: Improved visual presentation of the SYNC traffic, directions and information applications.
- Traffic Alerts — provided by INRIX.
- Map-based navigation application via an optional SD card — provided by TeleNav.
- SD card navigation includes services like weather maps, gas prices, and movie listings — via SIRIUS Travel Link.
- Vehicle Health Report: Vehicle Report provides a personalized online report for the vehicle showing vehicle diagnostics, scheduled maintenance and any recall information. Vehicle Health Report allows users to schedule car service online, directly with the users' preferred car dealer, directly from the personalized online report.
- 911 Assist: In the event of a serious road accident (airbag deployment) and, on certain vehicles, where the emergency fuel pump shut-off is activated, 911 Assist puts the occupant(s) of the car directly in touch with a 911 operator. 911 Assist provides a 10-second window where occupants have the option to cancel the call before dialing. Where occupants of the car are unable to speak, 911 Assist delivers an emergency message to the 911 operator.
- Media Hub:
- 2 USB 2.0 inputs;
- SD card slot;
- A/V Input Jacks — RCA type.
- Internet Connectivity: MyFord Touch provides full Wi-Fi capability. The technology also includes hotspot connectivity enabling other devices to share the MyFord Touch system's internet connection.
- Supports on-screen and USB-connected keyboards.
- RSS feed aggregator and text-to-voice reader.
- In-car Wi-Fi hot-spot capability through USB mobile broadband modem or USB-installed Aircard.
- Tested Aircards:
- Sprint 4G Overdrive - does NOT work via USB, although it can access the Wifi network created by the Overdrive.
- Verizon PANTech UM175VW - does NOT work.
- ATT USBConnect Mercury/Sierra Wireless Compass 885 - Fully functional.
- Tested Aircards:
- Media Player Support: MyFord Touch provides compatibility with USB-connected MP3 players.
- AM/FM/CD, Sirius Satellite Radio, HD Radio capability.
- Media player equipped with new Podcast category.
- Enhanced Bluetooth audio support.
Versions
The current version of MyFord Touch is 2.11. The update addressed several issues regarding Bluetooth Connectivity and crashing.
Versions ListCCPU In-vehicle Image Part No. Suffix SyncMyRide.com Version Generation Comment 10212 -AJ 1.8 10308 -BD 2.3 SYNCGen2_4.22.10308_PRODUCT 10337 -BE 2.4 SYNCGen2_4.22.10337_PRODUCT 11038 -BH 2.7 SYNCGen2_4.23.11038_PRODUCT 11063 -BJ 2.8 SYNCGen2_4.23.11063_PRODUCT 11081 -BL 2.10 SYNCGen2_4.23.11081_PRODUCT Focus only 11134 <unknown> 2.11 SYNCGen2_4.23.11134_PRODUCT Released 26 Oct 2011 MyFord Touch availability
The following vehicles have been announced as being MyFord Touch capable (provided as a standard or optional feature). Note: MyFord Touch is generally available only on medium to high end trim packages.
- Ford Edge — 2011 Model Year
- Ford Explorer — 2011 Model Year
- Lincoln MKX — 2011 Model Year
- Ford Focus — 2012 Model Year
- Ford Taurus — 2013 Model Year
Criticism
MyFord Touch has been cited by J.D. Powers & Associates as the feature contributing to a decline in Ford's standing in the 2011 "Initial Quality Survey" of new car purchasers.[4] The study ranked 2011 Ford vehicles' initial quality in 23rd position, down from fifth position in 2010. The ranking of Lincoln vehicles, a Ford subsidiary that also uses the Touch system branded as "MyLincoln Touch," declined from eighth to 17th place year over year. According to J.D. Powers vice president of research David Sargent, the primary complaints were that "the system was not as intuitive to operate as they would have liked," and that they found the hands-free, voice-activated operations displeasing.
See also
- Audi MMI
- Bluetooth
- BMW iDrive
- Ford Sync
- GPS
- Toyota's G-Book
- Kia UVO
- Lexus Link
- Mercedes COMAND
- OnStar
- Sirius Satellite Radio
References
- ^ a b MyFord Touch Defines Intuitive Driving Experience, Ford News Center.
- ^ 2011 Ford Edge SEL Price With Options Edmunds.com Retrieved 2010-01-16
- ^ Hands On: MyFord's Touch Makes Sync Better PC Magazine Retrieved 2010-01-16
- ^ Jensen, Cheryl (2011-06-23). "‘Aggravating’ MyFord Touch Sends Ford Plummeting in J.D. Power Quality Survey". "Wheels" automotive blog (The New York Times). http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/aggravating-myford-touch-sends-ford-plummeting-in-j-d-power-quality-survey/?hpw. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
External links
Categories:- 2010 introductions
- In-car entertainment
- Ford Motor Company
- Traffic, Directions and Information: Improved visual presentation of the SYNC traffic, directions and information applications.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
