MyFord Touch

The MyFord Touch System's 8" LCD screen, as implemented in a 2011 Ford Edge

MyFord Touch (branded as MyLincoln Touch on Ford's Lincoln brand products.^[1]) is an in-car communications and entertainment system developed by the Ford Motor Company and Microsoft. The technology comes factory installed with Ford product offerings and is based on the Microsoft Auto 4.0 software platform. It is regarded as the next-generation of Ford Sync. Announced in January 2010, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the technology launched with the 2011 Ford Edge and was immediately plagued by reliability problems that as of early 2012 had not been resolved.^[2] However, a March 2012 upgrade has been announced and is available free of charge to all Ford customers as a mailed out USB drive self-install update or by visiting their dealerships. Initial reviews of the March 2012 upgrade have been largely positive, though problems remain.^[3][4][5]

Overview

MyFord Touch promises to enable drivers of Ford cars to seamlessly integrate nearly all mobile phones, PDAs and digital media players into their cars. Operation of these devices, utilizing advanced Ford Sync functionality, is performed using voice commands, touch-screen inputs, the vehicle's steering wheel, radio controls, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. MyFord Touch is also capable of receiving text messages and reading these text messages aloud to occupants of the car.^[1]

Fulfillment of the system's promises has fallen short, with thousands of MyFord Touch owners complaining that the system is unreliable, that it crashes without warning, that it fails to respond to commands, and that it fails to integrate with common mobile devices, such as the iPhone. Ford reliability ratings, both by Consumer Reports and J.D. Powers and Associates have plummeted because of the defects in the MyFord Touch system, and Consumer Reports recommends that new car buyers not consider Ford or Lincoln models equipped with MyFord Touch or MyLincoln Touch. ^{[6][7][8][9][10]}

As a stand-alone option, the MSRP for MyFord Touch is $1,000. Purchasers of this option get the MyFord Touch system with two driver-configurable 4.2" color LCD displays in the gauge cluster, one 8" color LCD touch screen in the center stack, a media hub with 2 USB ports, SD card reader, RCA video input jacks and 5-way controls located on steering wheel; Sync voice activated communications and entertainment system (Free three year pre-paid subscription for 911 Assist, Vehicle Health Reports, traffic reports, GPS-based turn by turn driving directions and information services).^[11]

Consumer Reports cites unreliability and safety concerns as its reasons for not recommending Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch systems, however CR does recommend that all current owners take advantage of improvements offered by the March 2012 upgrade. In addition to requiring repeated trips to Ford dealerships for repairs, owners contend that system malfunctions are quite distracting and could contribute to accidents causing loss of property, injury and death.^{[12][13][14][15][16][17][18]}

Features

• Traffic, Directions and Information: Visual presentation of Ford Sync traffic, directions and information applications.
  • Traffic Alerts — provided by INRIX.
  • Map-based navigation application via an optional SD card — provided by TeleNav.
  • SD card navigation includes services like weather maps, gas prices, and movie listings — via SIRIUS Travel Link.
• Vehicle Health Report: Vehicle Report provides a personalized online report for the vehicle showing vehicle diagnostics, scheduled maintenance and any recall information. Vehicle Health Report allows users to schedule car service online, directly with the users' preferred car dealer, directly from the personalized online report.
• 911 Assist: A form of Advanced Automatic Collision Notification, when sensors detect the vehicle has been involved in a collision involving airbag deployment and, on certain vehicles, where the emergency fuel pump shut-off is activated, 911 Assist puts the occupant(s) of the car directly in touch with a 911 operator. 911 Assist provides a 10-second window where occupants have the option to cancel the call before dialing. Where occupants of the car are unable to speak, 911 Assist delivers an emergency message to the 911 operator.
• Internet Connectivity: MyFord Touch provides full Wi-Fi capability. The technology also includes hotspot connectivity enabling other devices to share the MyFord Touch system's internet connection.
  • Supports on-screen and USB-connected keyboards.
  • RSS feed aggregator and text-to-voice reader.
  • In-car Wi-Fi hot-spot capability through USB mobile broadband modem or USB-installed Aircard.
    • Tested Aircards:
      • Sprint 4G Overdrive - does NOT work via USB, although it can access the Wifi network created by the Overdrive.
      • Verizon PANTech UM175VW - does NOT work.
      • ATT USBConnect Mercury/Sierra Wireless Compass 885 - Fully functional.
• Media features:
  • 2 USB 2.0 inputs, MyFord Touch provides compatibility with USB-connected MP3 players.
  • SD card slot
  • RCA Jack input for Audio and Video
  • AM/FM radio, CD player, Sirius Satellite Radio, HD Radio capability.
  • Internet Media player equipped with new Podcast category.
  • Bluetooth Enhanced Data Rate audio support.

Versions

The current version of MyFord Touch is 2.11. The update addressed several issues regarding Bluetooth Connectivity and crashing.

In March 2012, Ford Motor announced a major update to MyFord Touch (and MyLincoln Touch) that is now available though dealerships and self-install upgrade kits mailed to customers. The update version will be recorded below as it becomes identified. The MyFord Touch update is being provided free of charge to all existing customers. Customers will have the option to self-install the update, or they can go to their dealer for installation. The USB drive update software, and SD cards to update the navigation map data, have been mailed to all MyFord Touch customers starting 8 March 2012.^[19]

Versions List

MyFord Touch availability

The following vehicles have been announced as being MyFord Touch capable (provided as a standard or optional feature). Note: MyFord Touch is generally available only on medium to high end trim packages.

• Ford Edge — 2011 Model Year
• Ford Explorer — 2011-2013 Model Year
• Lincoln MKX — 2011 Model Year
• Ford Focus — 2012 Model Year
• Ford Fusion — 2013 Model Year
• Ford Taurus — 2013 Model Year

Criticism

Unreliability of the MyFord Touch system has been cited by J.D. Powers & Associates as the primary factor contributing to a decline in Ford's standing in the 2011 "Initial Quality Survey" of new car purchasers.^[20] The study ranked 2011Ford vehicles' initial quality in 23rd position, down from fifth position in 2010. The ranking of Lincoln vehicles, a Ford subsidiary that also uses the Touch system branded as "MyLincoln Touch," declined from eighth to 17th place year over year. Consumer Reports recommends that no one consider buying used 2011 Ford Edges equipped with MyFord Touch systems. ^[21]

Thousands of owners have complained that MyFord Touch systems crash without warning, do not respond to touch commands, and fail to reliably sync with mobile phones and iPods.^[22] The March 2012 MyFord Touch upgrade, promised since November 2011, is intended to address these performance issues. Initial reception of the upgrade has been largely positive, however problems remain and many owners continue to experience difficulties with the system, even with the new upgrade fully installed. Some owners have expressed their hope that Ford will continue upgrading the MyFord Touch system until it fulfills its original design promises; meanwhile owners must make do with remaining glitches. ^{[23][24][25][26][27]}

See also

• Audi MMI
• Bluetooth
• BMW iDrive
• Ford Sync
• GPS
• Toyota's G-Book
• Kia UVO
• Lexus Link
• Mercedes COMAND
• OnStar
• Sirius Satellite Radio
• Blue&Me

References

External links

• MyFord Touch Press Release
• 2011 Ford Edge Pricing Information
• MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch Owner Support