Except for the fact that my sync4 will not update it has worked fine for me

 

sync 4 to me is a massive improvement over anything I have had before.

As for a sync 5 into a sync 4 equipped vehicle, based on my experience with Honda, probably, forget about it. A well placed person at Honda thought they had CarPlay all figured out to introduce on many models. Then Apple changed the hardware requirements . Boom incompatible. Result, no CarPlay on many models.

what this news says to me is that sooner than later, Sun 4 won't be worth subscribing to the platform at then end of the three years coverage that many of us have. Frustrating as heck for owners and Ford.

 

I’ve had no issues with Sync 3 on my 2020 F150. Compared to systems I have used in Toyota/Lexus, Subaru, VW, and GM, Sync 3 is the one that consistently works well. Keep in mind Microsoft owned Nokia from about 2013 - 2016. Seems to me the prudent business move would be to maintain a good relationship with the auto manufacturers to perpetuate that revenue stream.

 

This article seems contrary to what the OP posted. For the record, Sync 4 is much better than the Sync 3 in my previous 2019; my wife, who has Sync 3 in her 2020 Escape, wants a new car because she like my truck's infotainment system more than hers.

 

Same here. She wants to trade in her 21 Expedition with 18k miles to go from 3.4 to 4. Well, that and the fact that it can spontaneously combust at any given time.

 

I don't expect a Sync 5 in the traditional sense. Ford has already said they're moving to a Google-based system, and it was originally slated for 22MY Lightning, but got delayed. Now, it appears that the next Mustang is getting some version of it, which looks vastly different.

I've had a chance to use the new GM system that debuted in the Hummer EV, and it is incredibly fast. We can only hope Ford can accomplish something similar with their integration in the next few years. I wouldn't anticipate the F150 getting it until at least the mid-cycle refresh, which is likely going to be 24MY, based on previous generations.

All of the new tech being pushed in the industry, such as OTA updating and vehicle cyber security, has pushed the OEMs to update electrical architectures quickly. I expect we will see new iterations in the next few years as well.

 

Only thing I worry about with the Google platform is the... Google part. They don't make fast or efficient anything in the mobile or browser space. Only advantage might be in having more seamless connectivity options like with Navigation if you just have Google Maps built in.

Maybe it will be good, but even if it is, there is always that Google information gathering that I don't love. Nothing is ever free with them, and I don't particularly trust that their agreement with Ford will include the ability to opt out of all tracking.

 

Do you think that the current platforms aren't doing massive amounts of data gathering?

 

Like the current Ford platforms?

I am sure they are doing some, Sync 4 even has an entire connectivity section that lets you set your sharing levels on data. There is an enormous difference between different companies being able to do their own gathering and one monolithic company that has information gathered in multiple avenues, like vehicles, phone, web browsers, email, routers, etc. When it's one monolithic company they have a more complete picture of you to sell and the level of detail some have is pretty crazy, far beyond what most believe they know about them.

You can't escape it if you want to enjoy a lot of the benefits and I am not saying anything to the effect that they are using it in a harmful way, but those they sell that data to can use it in a harmful way. If Google has you as a virtual person that knows your email thanks to Gmail, your search history due to Google Search, and your driving history because they are your nav provider of choice through Google Maps, either on your phone or built into the Sync 5 Nav, they have a vision of you and what you have done or are doing that only someone very close to you like a spouse would have. I, personally, don't really love that kind of thing. Especially when a company like Google makes nearly all their money by selling that information. At least when Ford is the gate keeper of that info, even if they try to sell some data like driving habits or music listening habits or whatever, it is less of a complete picture to whoever is buying it.

Ford said when they announced the Google partnership that our privacy will be protected and we will have options on information sharing, and I hope that's the case. All that aside, Google has a pretty abysmal history when it comes to making efficient software as I mentioned so anyone thinking the system will be fast or bug free because Google is involved hasn't used their stuff very much.

 

I think we tell ourselves things like this to make us feel better. But if the data comes from one source or a combination of 5 sources does it really matter?

And that data is a valuable asset. You're better off assuming that a company, ANY company, will not pass up revenue and just sit on that asset. It doesn’t matter what feel-good statements are made in a press release or interview.