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We have not received any news of a release yet. Rostra is working with select customers to troubleshoot the new firmware/hardware and from what I understand everything is working good now and they are just waiting for the release logistics. My rep said we should hear something next week but like you we have all heard this before.
I'm sorry for the delay as I would like to think that we are at the top of Rostra's priority list for news on this issue but that is actually not the case. It's been a bit frustrating on our end as well but each time we inquire we get the same info that is already posted on this forum by someone else who is in direct contact with Rostra support.
I will say that they have had their hands full lately with this and other interface device issues but they have been working hard to get the issues fixed.
I will post news here as soon as we know the release date.
Thankfully this is nothing new for Rostra, Lockpick, or any other interface manufacturer. The reality is that they, and others in this business, got caught with their pants down as there were some unanticipated issues with the Sync 3 in these vehicles not playing nicely with the modules. Rostra is just one of our suppliers that had these same problems as Lockpick has run into these same issues many times.
Now that being said once they get it ironed out they will support us under warranty in making sure that all our existing customers have the right equipment for their CURRENT configuration. There are two different configurations out there; Sync 3 with USB Car Play etc. (2.2 ready) and others that require Ford or the customer to install the components/firmware manually to perform the upgrade to 2.2. If you have the components already installed at the factory it is my understanding that the truck updates itself or Ford does it for you when you take it to the dealer free of charge, provided the update is available for your option group. If you aren't 2.2 ready then the truck stays at 2.1 or earlier until you manually force/install the hardware/firmware update, which the majority of truck owners won't mess with. If you're not sure contact your Ford dealer with your VIN number and they should be able to tell you what's available for updates.
Moving forward Rostra has addressed this by creating two different modules. One module is for 2.1 and older and the other is for 2.2. It's important to note that if you have the equipment necessary for Car Play already installed but are currently running 2.1 or older you should not purchase the module for 2.1 because it would be the wrong part. Reason being when the truck is updated by Ford to 2.2 (which it will) your Rostra module will become a very expensive paperweight and they cannot fix it with firmware. If you have Car Play hardware already installed or plan to upgrade your configuration to 2.2 then you need to be sure to get the appropriate Rostra hardware that is meant for 2.2.
Unfortunately you won't be able to use the 2.1 hardware then decide later you want to invest in the 2.2 Car Play upgrade because it's not compatible.
SO what happens when Ford updates to 2.3, 2.4, 5.0 etc...? Rostra will most certainly support the change with a firmware update, just as Lockpick and others have had to do for the last 10 years with previous Ford, GM, and Chrysler. However, if Ford releases a new hardware upgrade that allows a magical ora to encapsulate your driving experience into a digital wonderland through your Sync system then you have a decision to make. Either choose to continue with your current config or buy the new Ford equipment and lose the compatibility of the Rostra component as any type of Ford hardware change is likely going to cause the Rostra interface to fail.
In summary if Ford updates the system due to quirks, security, or any other essential update you can expect Rostra to provide a firmware for free. If Ford offers an update that requires new hardware for product enhancements then it is likely the Rostra component will not be compatible and they will not supply you with a new interface under warranty.
Hope that helps clarify. This isn't really a new concept as Lockpick, to name one, has been doing this same thing for years with great success. We have had vehicles in the past that took Lockpick three months to develop compatible firmware. New vehicles are challenging but I have faith in Rostra, as JDROLLER can attest to. It might take some time but they are really dedicated to building a reliable product. It's a cat and mouse game but in the end Rostra will figure it out.
If you are one of our customers you should have heard from us regarding the fix and timeline for your specific vehicle. If not, give us a call please at 888-844-9763.
If you are considering buying a system for your truck please call us to help you select the right configuration. Please remember to let us know if you are currently running 2.1 or older and EVER plan to upgrade to the 2.2 setup. Again, if you're ever planning to upgrade to 2.2 then the entire thing needs to happen at once because the Rostra hardware is a completely different part and you can't make the change later without buying a new Rostra interface.
Thanks and if you have any questions and need an answer fast drop us a line through our contact form on camera-source.com or give us a call at 888-844-9763.
06-29-2017, 10:24 PM
Update
