Tech Talk: Ford Debuts Wi-Fi-enabled SYNC 3 Update
Support is for 2016 Ford trucks with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
Ford is making Android Auto and Apple CarPlay software support available to model-year 2016 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3. Customers with model-year 2016 Ford vehicles can update to the new SYNC 3 version 2.2 by downloading to a USB drive, visiting a dealership or automatically via a wi-fi connection.
“Our SYNC 3 software platform was designed to be easy to update so we can get our customers the latest and greatest features, functionally and security enhancements,” says Don Butler, executive director, Ford Connected Vehicle and Services. “With over-the-air updates, we can deliver new features to customers in the background while they continue using their vehicles.”
‘With over-the-air updates, Ford can deliver new features to customers
in the background while they continue using their vehicles.”
Customers can update their software by visiting Owner.ford.com to download and install with a USB drive. Customers with wi-fi-enabled vehicles and a wi-fi network can set up their vehicle to receive the update automatically.
Android Auto
Compatible with Android devices 5.0 and higher, Android Auto brings the Android experience into the vehicle easily with Google Maps, Google Play Music, phone, messaging and third party apps projected on the car’s built-in display and available via voice controls. With a simplified interface, large touch targets, Google voice search, Android Auto is designed to minimize distraction while on the road.
Apple CarPlay
Compatible with iPhone 5 and later models running iOS 7.1 or higher, Apple CarPlay gives iPhone users an intuitive way to make phone calls, use voice-guided navigation, listen to music, and send and receive messages while staying focused on the road. Users can control Apple CarPlay through the in-vehicle display or via Siri voice control. Apple CarPlay support requires a USB hub upgrade available through Ford dealers.
SYNC 3
SYNC 3 currently supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on all 2017 Ford F-Series trucks, SUVs, cars and EVs.
Updates via Wi-Fi
Though Ford has been issuing SYNC upgrades since 2009, this is the first time the company is offering an update via wi-fi. In wi-fi-enabled vehicles with Automatic System Updates turned on within SYNC 3, the system will periodically connect to a customer’s designated wi-fi network to check for updates. If an update is available, the system automatically downloads the update in the background without any customer interaction. And SYNC 3 is designed to perform the update as long as wi-fi is connected prior to the vehicle turning off, therefore there is no need to keep the vehicle running for the update to take place.
