Neil Hughes
Ford has begun updating existing vehicles on the road to support Apple's Siri Eyes Free for iPhone, now available to download on systems running its second-generation Sync infotainment platform.
AppleInsider reader David reached out on Friday to reveal that a new 3.8 update is now available for systems running the second-gen Sync with MyFord Touch. Included in the update is support for Siri Eyes Free.
"With simple voice commands, Sync with MyFord Touch enables you to operate the iPhone and Sync together," the release notes state. "Siri Eyes Free can be activated by pressing and holding the voice button for at least 3 seconds."
In addition, the update also makes iPhone pairing easier, and will now automatically reconnect to a handset if it is disconnected. Installation of Sync 3.8 is said to take up to 30 minutes to complete.
Ford vehicle owners must register and sign on to the automaker's website to check for updates.
MyFord Touch featuring Sync second-gen is actually Ford's outgoing infotainment system, having been in vehicles sold by the company since 2011. It and the first-generation versions of Sync were powered by Microsoft.
Ford's new Sync 3 system, however, ditches Microsoft and will be powered by QNX software from BlackBerry. It debuted on the company's new 2016 Escape and Fiesta models, and like the newly updated second-gen hardware, it also supports Apple'S Siri Eyes Free.
Siri Eyes Free was actually announced by Apple back in 2012, but Ford was not among the initial supporting partners. It has been available since the launch of iOS 6.
Apple has since debuted a much more full-featured iPhone-based infotainment platform dubbed CarPlay. Ford officials have said they plan to support CarPlay within the new Sync 3 platform, but have not given any details on a launch. Legacy Microsoft-based Sync systems will not be able to support Apple's CarPlay.
With Hands Free, the iPhone screen stays off, so it will not distract the driver. Since Siri talks back to a user out loud, drivers can control many functions on their iPhone with just the press of a button and the use of their voice, allowing them to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.
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10 Comments
It should be called Sink. Because it's a drain on your happiness. I drove a Ford SUV for a month with their Sync system (the Microsoft one), and about 1/5th the time, I'd plug in my iPhone and it wouldn't detect it or it would display an error. I have no love for Sync.
I've had a Fiesta ST with Sync/MFT for nearly 2 years now. My iPhone has worked a treat with it from day one - the integration is fantastic. My only complaint would be that the interface isn't the fastest, but aside from that it's been dead reliable and works as promised. Having lived with it for a reasonable period of time, I do not understand the hate of Sync.
It should be called Sink. Because it's a drain on your happiness.
I drove a Ford SUV for a month with their Sync system (the Microsoft one), and about 1/5th the time, I'd plug in my iPhone and it wouldn't detect it or it would display an error. I have no love for Sync.
How long ago was that? Sync is actually pretty good now. Ever since Ford started making the software in house a few years ago, Sync has become so much better. I haven't had any issues with any of the iPhone's I've owned in my Ford's. The issues I had were in 2011 when Sync was a disaster, but my phones always worked fine. After all the new updates, Sync is just as good as any other system out there.
[quote name="Boltsfan17" url="/t/189547/ford-adds-apples-siri-eyes-free-to-legacy-vehicles-with-sync-3-8-update#post_2792256"]How long ago was that? Sync is actually pretty good now. Ever since Ford started making the software in house a few years ago, Sync has become so much better. I haven't had any issues with any of the iPhone's I've owned in my Ford's. The issues I had were in 2011 when Sync was a disaster, but my phones always worked fine. After all the new updates, Sync is just as good as any other system out there. [/quote] I agree - I have tried other systems, and Ford's is pretty good. Suburu's will make you want to shoot yourself.
I drove a Ford SUV for a month with their Sync system (the Microsoft one), and about 1/5th the time, I'd plug in my iPhone and it wouldn't detect it or it would display an error. I have no love for Sync.
There's two very different versions of Stink. The one with the touchscreen, MyFord Touch, is really awful, runs Windows CE with a Flash based UI and has no support for iPhone apps like Pandora. The one without the touchscreen is somewhat better and is actually MFi.