I'm confused...find a used what? Would it be possible for Ford (or anyone else with the skill) to put SYNC 3 on a file so users could upload it via USB flash drive like is done with all other updates?

 

I guess you are confused. SYNC3 is totally different hardware (APIM and Display) than SYNC2. There is no software upgrade to turn SYNC2 into SYNC3.

 

Gotcha. That clears it up. Thanks. So you're saying if someone sent you their SYNC2 you could "convert" it to SYNC3?

 

Myself, I'm not planning on buying a new truck, optioning Sync 3 system today, then paying more to upgrade it, particularly if it is a software upgrade.

If Ford would commit to a no charge upgrade, I'd put my $50k truck on order today.

 

Just want to put some things in perspective.

Ford is offering an upgraded experience for your car. You are going to have the option of going with CarPlay, Android Auto or Ford infotainment(Sync at this point). No other auto manufacturer is giving you the choice AFTER you buy their vehicle (most others are...choose one when you buy it and live with it FOREVER).

My assumption is that Android Auto or CarPlay may cost money however Sync updates will come in with little to no cost (since Ford wants you to stick with their option).

Ford is most likely paying Apple/Google for the licensing of their products and are (rightfully so) charging the consumers for the license as well as the time/effort it takes to upgrade the system. I'm glad we are at least getting the option versus sticking with the stock vehicle provided system (which usually lack). Having an option (regardless of cost) is better than just being stuck with my 2007 Jeeps crappy touch interface or buying a $2000 "upgrade" that doesn't fit.

 

I think he is saying that if you send him a SYNC 3 from a 2016 he will it make so you can install it in your 2015.

 

They've already demo'd the technology, they know it works in software.
If they promised a free upgrade. I'd buy now.
GM has promised the software upgrade on their system for March.

As it is I'll wait. If they just promised a free upgrade, I'd have less reason to.

 

I doubt that everything will work as intended....the sync system would be there but, its VERY difficult to get the systems working properly if Ford decided to use a specific connector or different firmware for the various internal components (seats, ac,heat, usb ports, navigation, bluetooth etc). If all of the firmware was the same and it was easy to do, I think Ford would have done it with the Sync 2 system. I think Sync 3 will run on Sync 2 systems....other things will just have problems or not work.

As a software engineer, I'll reiterate:

Is it possible? Sure!
Will everything work? more than likely not.
Could it cause some other things to stop working? Most Likely

Sometimes its easier to just say "lets start over"...and I think thats what the ford engineers said and did.

 

Yup, the Blackberry based Sync 3 system runs on a completely different hardware platform than prior Windows based iterations of Sync. Back in the day I had a Windows phone, and it actually worked really well with Sync in my '13 F150. My Android phone, not so much...

 

This is the contents of the autoinstall file for a SYNC3 system I played with today.

I am not a programmer but this the same layout as SYNC2 programming.

Maybe a programmer can chime in. Are they doing a combination of microsoft and blackberry?

;+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++!
;!
;Installation Directive File !
;!
;USB Installation !
;!
;Microsoft Auto !
;!
;+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++!
[SYNCGen3.0_1.0.15139]
Open1=SyncMyRide\GB5T-14G391-CK.TAR.GZ
Open2=SyncMyRide\GB5T-14G423-CJ.TAR.GZ
Options=AutoInstall,RenameLst