I couldn't get the videos to run, but the pictures showed it on the new Focus and it looks pretty decent.
EDIT...CNET video runs
EDIT...CNET video runs
Ford Sync 3 Announced: All-New Interface Design
Ford today announced the new Sync 3 system which includes a completely redesigned interface, eliminating the quadrant layout. MyFord Touch branding is now gone and falls in-line with the global branding for these systems.
Unfortunately, Sync 3 at launch is using outdated Siri Eye's Free instead of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Performance looks much better, much brighter and simpler interface with larger buttons. They've also engineered a new touchscreen which works with multi-touch so you can pinch to zoom and such.
Layout generally resembles other car systems with a row of icons at the bottom of the screen, although the design is less graphical or colorful.
Sync 3 is launching on 2016 MY cars and is not compatible with existing systems. But good news here is that the system can be updated via WiFi at home.
The videos also reveal the updated Fusion center console. Screen size is unchanged.
https://media.ford.com/content/ford...w--innovative-ways-for-people-to-connect.html
http://www.cnet.com/news/ford-sync-3-announced/
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Autoblog also has more info, such as the fact that this is indeed QNX, will be rolled out to all new Fords and Lincolns by the end of 2016. Lincoln will also call it Sync 3 but will use a different look and I'm sure we'll see it on the new MKX next month.
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/12/11/myford-touch-killed-introducing-sync-3-infotainment/
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/12/11/myford-touch-killed-introducing-sync-3-infotainment/
Interesting. QNX is owned by Blackberry. It appears as if the phoenix is rising from the ashes.
FORD SYNC 3 DELIVERS NEW, INNOVATIVE WAYS FOR PEOPLE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH THEIR LIVES WHILE ON THE MOVE
Ford
SYNC® 3 – Ford’s new communications and entertainment system – features faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, a more intuitive smartphone-like touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface to help Ford customers connect and control their smartphone on the road
Also new: seamless integration of AppLink™ for a simple way to control smartphone apps, the addition of Siri Eyes-Free capability for iPhone users, over-the-air software updates using Wi-Fi, and enhanced 911 Assist® that provides subscription-free emergency calling in the event of a significant accident
Ford today introduced SYNC® 3, a new communications and entertainment system that is faster, more intuitive and easier to use with enhanced response to driver commands.
SYNC 3’s more conversational voice recognition technology, a more smartphone-like touch screen and easy-to-read graphics will help millions of drivers connect with their lives and control their smartphone while on the road.
The next-generation system builds on the capability of SYNC technology already in more than 10 million SYNC-equipped vehicles on the road globally. SYNC 3 begins arriving on new vehicles next year.
“Ford is delivering an easier way for customers to stay connected,” said Raj Nair, Ford chief technical officer and group vice president, Global Product Development. “SYNC 3 is another step forward in delivering connectivity features customers most want, and they tell us this kind of technology is an important part of their decision to buy our vehicles.”
Ford took a customer-centric approach in developing SYNC 3, drawing on 22,000 customer comments and suggestions, plus insights gleaned from research clinics, market surveys and tech industry benchmarking.
Intuitive interface
Although SYNC 3 is optimized for hands-free use, an all-new touch screen delivers an experience similar to a smartphone or tablet.
Quicker response to touch as well as voice commands and smartphone-like gestures including pinch-to-zoom and swipe are central to SYNC 3, along with crisp, modern graphics.
A bright background and large buttons with high-contrast fonts for daytime use help reduce screen washout in the sun. At night, the display automatically switches to a dark background to help reduce eye fatigue and minimize reflections on the windows.
“We considered all the modern smartphones and mobile operating systems and created something familiar but unique,” said Parrish Hanna, Ford global director of Human Machine Interface.
SYNC 3 reduces on-screen complexity and prioritizes the control options customers use most.
The home screen features three zone choices – Navigation, Audio and Phone. Tile-like icons dominate the screen, with a quick access function tray along the bottom making for a more straight-forward user experience.
Phone contacts are searchable via a simple swipe of the finger to scroll through the alphabet. With “One Box Search,” SYNC 3 users can look up points of interest or enter addresses in much the same way they use an Internet search engine.
“Simplicity has value,” said Hanna. “Reducing the number of things on-screen also makes control easier and is designed to limit the number of times a driver has to glance at the screen.”
Easy-to-use voice recognition
Ford SYNC – the industry’s first system to widely and most affordably offer voice-activated technology to control smartphones – becomes more capable with the next-generation system by minimizing the number of steps needed to carry out a command.
With SYNC 3, simply saying “play <song, artist, album or genre>” prompts the system to play the desired song, artist, playlist or album; there is no need to identify the desired category. To switch back to a radio station, the user just says the name of the SiriusXM station or terrestrial radio station number.
Voice search results are enhanced by a better understanding of how consumers refer to businesses and points of interest. Drivers don’t have to know an exact name. They can search for “Detroit Airport” rather than using the official name “Detroit Metropolitan Airport.” With addresses, they can say, “Eleven Twenty-Five Main Street” instead of “One One Two Five Main Street.”
When connected to an Apple iPhone, SYNC 3 offers seamless integration of Siri Eyes-Free control. Drivers can seek Siri’s help by holding down SYNC’s “Push to Talk” steering wheel button – much as they would hold down the button on an iPhone to initiate a Siri session.
Innovative features
Ford was first to bring voice control to in-vehicle apps with AppLink™, and the experience is further improved with SYNC 3.
AppLink allows customers to connect their smartphone to their vehicle and control their compatible apps using voice commands or buttons on the vehicle display screen. AppLink now automatically discovers smartphone apps including Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, NPR One, SiriusXM Radio and iHeartRadio Auto, and displays their unique graphics and branding. Music and news apps are automatically displayed along with other media sources, just like AM/FM or SiriusXM.
“Overall, AppLink is faster, more responsive and easier to find your apps,” said Julius Marchwicki, Ford global product manager, AppLink. “The overall design of SYNC 3 allows for better integration with smartphones – resulting in a more user-friendly experience.”
Developers easily can integrate branded apps into AppLink, providing Ford customers with an experience on the vehicle screen similar to what they see on smartphone screens.
SYNC 3 also features the new ability to update the software via Wi-Fi. Once a vehicle is set up with credentials for a home Wi-Fi network accessible in a customer’s driveway or garage, for example, it can automatically download updates.
SYNC 3, like earlier generations of the technology, provides subscription-free emergency service 911 Assist®.
The customer’s Bluetooth-connected phone is used to dial 911 in the event of a significant accident, alerting first-responders with the vehicle’s location. With SYNC 3, the car relays additional information, including if airbags were deployed, the type of crash (front, side, rear or rollover) and the number of safety belts detected in use, in order to help emergency call takers dispatch the appropriate resources to the scene.
Ford
SYNC® 3 – Ford’s new communications and entertainment system – features faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, a more intuitive smartphone-like touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface to help Ford customers connect and control their smartphone on the road
Also new: seamless integration of AppLink™ for a simple way to control smartphone apps, the addition of Siri Eyes-Free capability for iPhone users, over-the-air software updates using Wi-Fi, and enhanced 911 Assist® that provides subscription-free emergency calling in the event of a significant accident
Ford today introduced SYNC® 3, a new communications and entertainment system that is faster, more intuitive and easier to use with enhanced response to driver commands.
SYNC 3’s more conversational voice recognition technology, a more smartphone-like touch screen and easy-to-read graphics will help millions of drivers connect with their lives and control their smartphone while on the road.
The next-generation system builds on the capability of SYNC technology already in more than 10 million SYNC-equipped vehicles on the road globally. SYNC 3 begins arriving on new vehicles next year.
“Ford is delivering an easier way for customers to stay connected,” said Raj Nair, Ford chief technical officer and group vice president, Global Product Development. “SYNC 3 is another step forward in delivering connectivity features customers most want, and they tell us this kind of technology is an important part of their decision to buy our vehicles.”
Ford took a customer-centric approach in developing SYNC 3, drawing on 22,000 customer comments and suggestions, plus insights gleaned from research clinics, market surveys and tech industry benchmarking.
Intuitive interface
Although SYNC 3 is optimized for hands-free use, an all-new touch screen delivers an experience similar to a smartphone or tablet.
Quicker response to touch as well as voice commands and smartphone-like gestures including pinch-to-zoom and swipe are central to SYNC 3, along with crisp, modern graphics.
A bright background and large buttons with high-contrast fonts for daytime use help reduce screen washout in the sun. At night, the display automatically switches to a dark background to help reduce eye fatigue and minimize reflections on the windows.
“We considered all the modern smartphones and mobile operating systems and created something familiar but unique,” said Parrish Hanna, Ford global director of Human Machine Interface.
SYNC 3 reduces on-screen complexity and prioritizes the control options customers use most.
The home screen features three zone choices – Navigation, Audio and Phone. Tile-like icons dominate the screen, with a quick access function tray along the bottom making for a more straight-forward user experience.
Phone contacts are searchable via a simple swipe of the finger to scroll through the alphabet. With “One Box Search,” SYNC 3 users can look up points of interest or enter addresses in much the same way they use an Internet search engine.
“Simplicity has value,” said Hanna. “Reducing the number of things on-screen also makes control easier and is designed to limit the number of times a driver has to glance at the screen.”
Easy-to-use voice recognition
Ford SYNC – the industry’s first system to widely and most affordably offer voice-activated technology to control smartphones – becomes more capable with the next-generation system by minimizing the number of steps needed to carry out a command.
With SYNC 3, simply saying “play <song, artist, album or genre>” prompts the system to play the desired song, artist, playlist or album; there is no need to identify the desired category. To switch back to a radio station, the user just says the name of the SiriusXM station or terrestrial radio station number.
Voice search results are enhanced by a better understanding of how consumers refer to businesses and points of interest. Drivers don’t have to know an exact name. They can search for “Detroit Airport” rather than using the official name “Detroit Metropolitan Airport.” With addresses, they can say, “Eleven Twenty-Five Main Street” instead of “One One Two Five Main Street.”
When connected to an Apple iPhone, SYNC 3 offers seamless integration of Siri Eyes-Free control. Drivers can seek Siri’s help by holding down SYNC’s “Push to Talk” steering wheel button – much as they would hold down the button on an iPhone to initiate a Siri session.
Innovative features
Ford was first to bring voice control to in-vehicle apps with AppLink™, and the experience is further improved with SYNC 3.
AppLink allows customers to connect their smartphone to their vehicle and control their compatible apps using voice commands or buttons on the vehicle display screen. AppLink now automatically discovers smartphone apps including Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, NPR One, SiriusXM Radio and iHeartRadio Auto, and displays their unique graphics and branding. Music and news apps are automatically displayed along with other media sources, just like AM/FM or SiriusXM.
“Overall, AppLink is faster, more responsive and easier to find your apps,” said Julius Marchwicki, Ford global product manager, AppLink. “The overall design of SYNC 3 allows for better integration with smartphones – resulting in a more user-friendly experience.”
Developers easily can integrate branded apps into AppLink, providing Ford customers with an experience on the vehicle screen similar to what they see on smartphone screens.
SYNC 3 also features the new ability to update the software via Wi-Fi. Once a vehicle is set up with credentials for a home Wi-Fi network accessible in a customer’s driveway or garage, for example, it can automatically download updates.
SYNC 3, like earlier generations of the technology, provides subscription-free emergency service 911 Assist®.
The customer’s Bluetooth-connected phone is used to dial 911 in the event of a significant accident, alerting first-responders with the vehicle’s location. With SYNC 3, the car relays additional information, including if airbags were deployed, the type of crash (front, side, rear or rollover) and the number of safety belts detected in use, in order to help emergency call takers dispatch the appropriate resources to the scene.
QNX really has no relation to the phone business.
The layout is a lot like Chrysler's UConnect, so that's a great thing!
The Ford system looks a little stark, but it's fairly clean compared to the competing systems. I think their HMI guys did their homework. I do hate the bright gray/blue color palette which is what kills it for me and I'm hoping the Lincoln guys do something better, and darker!
...and if not fully customizable, offer a choice of skinz!!The Ford system looks a little stark, but it's fairly clean compared to the competing systems. I think their HMI guys did their homework. I do hate the bright gray/blue color palette which is what kills it for me and I'm hoping the Lincoln guys do something better, and darker!...
The Verge reveals that the new touch screen is capacitive instead of resistive, using a TI SOC, and does have a dark mode which is automatically enabled at night. Some other good info in there, including an issue with implementing a Siri button since Apple won't permit them to design/use an icon.
http://www.theverge.com/2014/12/11/7375837/ford-sync-3-announced
As much as I like Apple Car Play, and especially Android Auto, I am not inclined to physically connect my phone each time I hop in the car unless I'm driving a long distance.
http://www.theverge.com/2014/12/11/7375837/ford-sync-3-announced
As much as I like Apple Car Play, and especially Android Auto, I am not inclined to physically connect my phone each time I hop in the car unless I'm driving a long distance.
Fields predicts 'breakthrough year' for Ford in 2015
Ford
DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. CEO Mark Fields said 2015 will be “a breakthrough year” for Ford after a large number of vehicle launches trimmed profit margins in 2014.
“Our investments are going to be paying off,” Fields said at a media event to unveil the newest generation of its Sync infotainment system. “This sets us up for growth beyond 2015.”
Ford has 16 launches planned in 2015 -- including the Edge, Focus and Explorer. That’s down from 23 this year, with two of its most important nameplates among them: the Mustang and F-150.
Ford
DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. CEO Mark Fields said 2015 will be “a breakthrough year” for Ford after a large number of vehicle launches trimmed profit margins in 2014.
“Our investments are going to be paying off,” Fields said at a media event to unveil the newest generation of its Sync infotainment system. “This sets us up for growth beyond 2015.”
Ford has 16 launches planned in 2015 -- including the Edge, Focus and Explorer. That’s down from 23 this year, with two of its most important nameplates among them: the Mustang and F-150.
I wonder if the new Sync 3 will break through to our 2013 Explorer Limited and replace that piece of crap abortion that is MyFord Touch? I sure hope they hurry up and do it cuz time is short and the punishment phase of our Ford ownership experience is drawing to a close...
Anybody here in the market for a gently used Quality is Job 1 Ford product? If so, give us a ring
Anybody here in the market for a gently used Quality is Job 1 Ford product? If so, give us a ring
Na not really. QNX was only bought by BlackBerry 4.5 years ago for the purpose of developing a whole new mobile computing platform and just so happens to form the backbone of all BlackBerry phones launched in the last 2 years. /sarcasmQNX really has no relation to the phone business.
QNX's unique micro-kernal architecture makes for an efficient and reliable system. It now forms one of the main pillars of BlackBerry.
To add before BlackBerry QNX was fairly basic and mostly used for industrial and commercial interfaces. BlackBerry has a huge intellectual property pool and much of the multimedia and interconnection capabilities displayed by QNX's new in-car systems comes from BlackBerry.
My point is that Blackberry can fold/sell the shrinking phone business and QNX will still be there. So everybody is under the misunderstanding that Ford has aligned itself with a doomed company when it's really just the phone business they're thinking about.Na not really. QNX was only bought by BlackBerry 4.5 years ago for the purpose of developing a whole new mobile computing platform and just so happens to form the backbone of all BlackBerry phones launched in the last 2 years. /sarcasm
QNX's unique micro-kernal architecture makes for an efficient and reliable system. It now forms one of the main pillars of BlackBerry.
To add before BlackBerry QNX was fairly basic and mostly used for industrial and commercial interfaces. BlackBerry has a huge intellectual property pool and much of the multimedia and interconnection capabilities displayed by QNX's new in-car systems comes from BlackBerry.
You're talking to somebody with a Blackberry Passport btw.
"SYNC 3 begins arriving on new vehicles next year."
So it looks like the 2015 Focus, 2015 Focus Electric, 2015 Edge, 2016 Explorer, 2016 MKX due for 2015 will have the new SYNC 3. Especially since SYNC 3 is not available on models originally with MTF. No Upgrades!
So it looks like the 2015 Focus, 2015 Focus Electric, 2015 Edge, 2016 Explorer, 2016 MKX due for 2015 will have the new SYNC 3. Especially since SYNC 3 is not available on models originally with MTF. No Upgrades!
One of my few compliants about my Ford Explorer XLT is the Sync system. Nothing to die, but some times broke away and needs to start ( taken off the car's battery!)
I celebrate that Ford uses a new supplier . Microsoft is very bad...
I celebrate that Ford uses a new supplier . Microsoft is very bad...
Sync 3 is arriving on 2016 MY cars at the end of 2015 so cars like the 2015 Focus and Edge, or even the 2016 Explorer do not get it yet. Ford says Sync 3 will be fully deployed on all cars by the end of 2016. Sync 3 is effectively 2 years away from full deployment. So I imagine Sync 3 will launch alongside the 2016 Edge and MKX in the fall of next year for example.
Yup, that's quite possible. The refreshed MKZ could be a potential candidate as well...So I imagine Sync 3 will launch alongside the 2016 Edge and MKX in the fall of next year for example.
You might see it first on the 2016 Fusion and MKZ, since those have an early Job 1 date in April and the promo video was shot in a Fusion.
Now that's interesting. I didn't expect a MY16 MKZ that early which would mean that MY16 is not getting the facelift - so this will probably take 'til 1st quarter of CY16. After all, they can't launch a second MY16 or a MY17 in CY15.You might see it first on the 2016 Fusion and MKZ, since those have an early Job 1 date in April(..).
On the other hand, Sync 3 requires a major change in hardware components and I'm not sure Ford or Lincoln would launch that prior to the Fusion/MKZ facelifts. That's why I would still put my money on a 2016 Edge/MKX-launch and an introduction on the 2017 MKZ if the MY16 is indeed going to start in April.
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