lets have a tech discussion about sync
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2018
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lets have a tech discussion about sync
So just digging around and not sure how I missed this... apparently in 2023 Ford is moving its infotainment to Android and dropping Blackberry QNX. that leaves me to wonder sync 4 is going to be 3 years old in 2023 and theres millions of cars/trucks running on it. when they switch to android for the infotainment, do you think they will make this a backwards compitable upgrade? or will all of us with sync 4 software be stuck?
heres the article announcing it for anyone that wants to read:
Ford is switching to Android OS for infotainment in 2023 | Ars Technica
heres the article announcing it for anyone that wants to read:
Ford is switching to Android OS for infotainment in 2023 | Ars Technica
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2011
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They make changes all the time. July 2020 they announced a multi year contract with Tomtom. 7 months later they announce a Google/Android deal. It's not like an old version of Sync will suddenly not work, but like any technology they stop giving updates and move on to better systems. Not unlike engines, cameras, cruise, etc and all the updates that get piled on the newest models. We don't get HP upgrades on engines for trucks after a new year gets them, for example.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2018
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They make changes all the time. July 2020 they announced a multi year contract with Tomtom. 7 months later they announce a Google/Android deal. It's not like an old version of Sync will suddenly not work, but like any technology they stop giving updates and move on to better systems. Not unlike engines, cameras, cruise, etc and all the updates that get piled on the newest models. We don't get HP upgrades on engines for trucks after a new year gets them, for example.
the TomTom deal was for sync 4, the multi year musta been 2020-2023? its strange to think that we sync 4 people could be just dropped any time now. 2023 vehicles are just around the corner.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2011
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It said 2023 though, not model year 2023, so I would expect to see the change in 2023 for the 2024 Super Duty. Probably see the changes earlier in the hotter marketing SUVs and F150. I'm still driving a 2013 F150 that hasn't had a Sync update in years, and it works like new. These announced changes used to bother me, but not anymore.
Mountain Pass
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I work in IT and go through this all the time. Buy the best phone today and tomorrow there will be a better one. If you wait until tomorrow, there will be a better one the next day. Get what you want/need today and don't worry about tomorrow. If you regret your decision before even making it, they you will never be happy.
Mountain Pass
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It said 2023 though, not model year 2023, so I would expect to see the change in 2023 for the 2024 Super Duty. Probably see the changes earlier in the hotter marketing SUVs and F150. I'm still driving a 2013 F150 that hasn't had a Sync update in years, and it works like new. These announced changes used to bother me, but not anymore.
New User
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From: USA / EAST COAST
I completely agree with that statement. I would think regardless with the newer trucks with SYNC 4 they would provide some sort of backwards compatibility. At least in my mind it would make some sense.
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Mountain Pass
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I would hope so. For lack of a better term, they are computers. And they are part of the Internet Of Things and therefore "connected". This means that if there is a security hole, some hacker will take advantage of it. Last thing Ford would want is a known security risk not being patched and some poor soles Nav system told him to drive over a cliff. I know a bit over dramatic but makes the point. Will Sync 4 get new features. Probably not. Sync 3 hasn't received any new features in the past 2 years since I bought my last vehicle. As long as it continues to function the way it did day 1, I am happy.
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Fleet Mechanic
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What makes you think Ford ever intended on providing updates to Sync4? I'm really confused by this thread. My truck has Sync3. Ford changed to Sync4. It never crossed my mind that Ford should update my truck to Sync4. Same thing here. They'll probably call it Sync5.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2020
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From: Michigan
Another way of thinking about it is always have a device for the age of your system. I have an MP3 player. It is cheap and small. I have all my songs on it. I also have a compatible thumb drive that works the same way. When your system doesn't play well with your new toys in 6 years, you have a fall back. I ordered my truck in such a way as to last 20+ years. I knew that the sync stuff would age out before the truck would. The new gimmicks on sync 4 would age out quicker then the XL's sync 3. If you only keep your truck for 5 years, then why worry?
Mountain Pass
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What kind of backward compatibility would you have in mind?
New User
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I guess backwards compatibility wouldn’t be the right word. More so the ability to upgrade to the new system from SYNC 4. If the 2023 SD’s (which I sort of doubt) would come with this new system, I would think they might offer the ability to upgrade to the new system being SYNC 4 is only in the 2022 SD. Would be kind of odd that they only run it for one model year. If they stick with SYNC 4 for a few years, I think the chances of any “upgrades” to the new system are marginal at best.
Fleet Mechanic
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I guess backwards compatibility wouldn’t be the right word. More so the ability to upgrade to the new system from SYNC 4. If the 2023 SD’s (which I sort of doubt) would come with this new system, I would think they might offer the ability to upgrade to the new system being SYNC 4 is only in the 2022 SD. Would be kind of odd that they only run it for one model year. If they stick with SYNC 4 for a few years, I think the chances of any “upgrades” to the new system are marginal at best.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2021
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I think it is safe to say that we all know that it won't be "backward compatible" in the traditional sense. Meaning, that an older system will NOT get a newer version. I believe what was initially meant by backward compatible is simply that the system would still work as is and wouldn't just stop working. And still be supported to some degree.