• News
  • Guides
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • About
  • News
  • Guides
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • About
Sign up Now (For Free)

Sign up for our newsletter and receive the latest automotive news in your inbox!

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
News
Read Now
  • All News
  • Automakers
  • Automobiles
  • Auto Shows
  • Business
  • EVs & Environment
  • Guides
  • Lawsuits/Legal
  • Regulatory
  • Ride-Sharing
  • Safety & Recalls
  • Technology
Recent
  • EV Sales Growing Fast, But Stellantis CEO Tavares Warns of “Many Bumps” Along the Way
  • Stellantis Plowing $2.5B into New Indiana Battery Plant
  • Hyundai Recalling 281K Vehicles Due to Exploding Seat Belt Part
  • How Far is Up? Mercedes Teases New Maybach and Mythos Roadsters
  • Honda Drops a Sneak Peek of the All-New 2023 CR-V
  • Rising Gas Prices Slowing Americans from Driving This Holiday Weekend
  • The Headlight News Podcast Offers the Latest News about New Cars, EVs and More
  • Average U.S. Automobile is Now a Record 12.2 Years Old
  • Opinion: It’s Time for Elon Musk to Take a Break
  • U-M Warns of Rough Road in 2023-24 for Auto Industry
Editor’s Choice
    Reviews
    Read Now
    • All Reviews
    • Classic Cars
    • Concept Cars
    • Convertibles
    • Coupes
    • Crossovers/CUVs
    • Diesel
    • Hot hatches
    • Hybrids
    • Luxury Vehicles
    • Minivans
    • Muscle Cars
    • Pickups
    • Sedans
    • Sports Cars
    • Super Cars
    • SUVs
    Recent Reviews
    • A Week With: 2022 BMW 230i Coupe
    • First Impression: 2022 Audi RS e-tron GT
    • A Week With: 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line 4Motion
    • A Week With: 2022 Kia Forte GT
    • First Drive: 2023 Genesis GV60
    • First Drive: 2022 Mercedes-Benz C 300
    • First Impression: 2023 Nissan Z
    • A Week With: 2022 Lexus LC 500 Convertible
    • A Week With: 2022 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Crew Cab
    • First Drive: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
    Editor’s Choice
      Guides
      Car Warranty
      • Endurance Warranty Reviews
      • BMW Extended Warranty
      • Extended Warranty For Cars Over 100k Miles
      • Extended Car Warranty Cost
      • Subaru Extended Warranty
      • CarShield Reviews
      • CarShield Cost
      • Aftermarket Car Warranty
      • CARCHEX Warranty Reviews
      • Reputable Extended Car Warranty Companies
      • Used Car Warranty Companies
      • Best Car Warranty
      • Is CarShield A Scam?
      • Mercedes Extended Warranty
      • CarShield Plans
      Insurance
      • How To Identify A Car Insurance Company
      • Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
      • How Far Back Does A Car Insurance Company Look
      • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance For Used Cars
      • State Farm Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
      • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance From Progressive
      • Dollar A Day Insurance
      • Auto Insurance For SSI Recipients
      • Car Insurance Rates After A Suspended License
      • Auto Insurance For Salvage Vehicles
      • Average Cost of Dodge Ram 1500 Car Insurance
      • Car Insurance Florida
      • Full Coverage Auto Insurance
      • GrubHub Insurance
      • Amazon Delivery Auto Insurance
      Shipping
      • Car Shipping Companies
      • uShip Reviews
      • Auto Shipping From California To Hawaii
      • Montway Auto Transport Reviews
      • Cheap Car Shipping
      • Easy Auto Ship Reviews
      • Auto Shipping Miami
      • Auto Shipping To Alaska
      • Car Shipping Cost
      • Auto Shipping Hawaii
      • Auto Shipping Puerto Rico
      • Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
      • Auto Shipping Atlanta
      • Auto Shipping Boston
      • Auto Shipping. Chicago
      About
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Affiliate Disclosure
      • Sitemap
      TheDetroitBureau.com

      More than just “another” place to find news, reviews, spy shots, commentary, features, and guides about the auto industry. TheDetroitBureau doesn’t stop with the press releases or confuse a few lines of opinion with insightful, in-depth reporting.

      Contact Us

      Like what you see? Have some ideas for making The Detroit Bureau.com even better? Let us know, we’d love to hear your voice.

        Media
        Listen Now
        • Headlight News: All Episodes
        More from TheDetroitBureau
        • Guides
        • Latest News
        • Auto Reviews
        • Podcasts
        Headlight News

        TheDetroitBureau.com’s Headlight News offers a look at the past week’s top automotive news stories, as well as what’s coming up in the week ahead. Check out the week’s top story and our latest review…along with a dive into the past with this week in automotive history.

        home > news > Automakers > Ford Sync’s With the Cloud to Offer OTA Updates, New Features

        Ford Sync’s With the Cloud to Offer OTA Updates, New Features

        New system can handle remote repairs, even download new vehicle services and functions.

        Paul A. Eisenstein
        Paul A. Eisenstein , Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
        Oct. 30, 2019
        Ford is readying to release its next iteration of its well-known infotainment system, Sync 4.

        Ford plans to launch a major update of its now-familiar Sync infotainment system next year, an update it expects will not only make it more competitive with today’s smartphone technology but also allow it to add new features to future products in order to keep them fresh.

        The original Sync system was an infotainment pioneer when it launched in 2007 but has been limited in its functionality. Sync 4 will extend its capabilities using a mix of onboard and cloud-based technology that will allow Ford to offer over-the-air, or OTA, updates, much like today’s smartphones. Among other things, it could handle some recalls remotely, without forcing owners to go in for dealer service.

        “The cloud connection with Sync will change the game for us,” Todd Hoevener, Ford’s director of Advanced Product Creation, said. It will make the built-in technology as powerful as today’s smartphones, Hoevener added during a background briefing ahead of the official debut of Sync4 on Wednesday.

        (Ford Treks to SEMA With Impressive Group of Offerings)

        One of the reasons why today’s cellphones have grown so powerful – and popular – is the range of capabilities they offer in such a small package. While there is plenty of built-in software, much of what these portable devices can do comes from remotely accessing things like maps, traffic information and databases.

        Ford’s new Sync 4 is offering a lot of functionality on its various screens.

        Sync 4 will now have the same capabilities using the car’s cellular data technology. And, at times, its built-in WiFi system will allow for even faster downloads. Among other things, that will permit a vehicle to always have the latest updates when it comes to its maps – a problem many motorists experience when they’re riding around with software that can be years out of date. Traffic information should also be more accurate and cover not only freeways but also surface streets, said John Vangelov, manager of Modern Features for Ford’s digital technology unit.

        If anything, the new system will actually gain a leg up on a smartphone because Sync4 will continue to have an onboard map database that it will be able to access even when its 4G LTE telecomm system is out of range, as can still happen in many parts of the country.

        Along with the changes in functionality, Ford will make some major upgrades to the Sync system’s hardware. The base technology will continue to use an 8-inch touchscreen. But there will be two upgrades, depending upon the vehicle. One will rely on a 12-inch horizontally laid out screen, the other a 15-inch vertical screen that can be divided into six distinct tiles displaying different functions, such as mapping, vehicle functions and audio, simultaneously,

        Like a smartphone, Sync 4 will use machine learning to understand where a motorist drives, as well as personal tastes. That could allow it to recommend alternative routes or find a restaurant matching an owner’s tastes. Along with the built-in voice assistant, the system will allow a driver to access their Siri, Google or Amazon Alexa systems to do things like operate home lighting.

        It’s the OTA technology that could prove to be the real breakthrough, however, said Vangelov.

        The new version of Sync will begin rolling out early next year on either all-new Ford and Lincoln-branded products, or those having “significant” updates. The automaker did not disclose which models that will include but it is widely expected to be one of the major features on the new “Mustang-inspired” all-electric SUV, reportedly to be called the Ford Mustang Mach-e, that will debut at the Los

        In the near future, Ford will offer a 12-inch touch screen for its new Sync 4 infotainment system.

        Angeles Auto Show next month.

        To achieve full functionality, products will have to get some revisions to their electric architectures to allow the system to update virtually every one of the dozens of standalone systems on a vehicle. That could include everything from the infotainment system to the microprocessors operating its engine, transmission and safety systems.

        (Ford Announces “Largest Public Charging Network” in North America)

        One benefit will be the ability to transfer new software should a bug be discovered in, say, the engine management system – or if Ford finds a way to enhance its performance. That would help avoid having to convince owners to go to a dealer for service, explained Don Butler, the head of the automaker’s Connected Car operations.

        In addition to the standard functions, like hands-free calling, Ford envisions using Sync to handle over-the-air updates.

        Currently, that’s a real problem, and one of the reasons why so many recalls have low repair rates. Since Ford could order an over-the-air update without the customer being involved, compliance would likely be extremely high, said Butler, adding that it also would “reduce the warranty expense.”

        Using OTA technology for repairs is something a lot of manufacturers are looking at, and Tesla uses it regularly. Besides requiring a redesign of a vehicle’s electrical architecture, there are other problems, however, cautioned Sam Abuelsamid, a principle analyst with Navigant Research. Dealers rely on the money they make from recalls and other repairs, so going with OTA is something a number of dealer groups have opposed.

        For his part, Butler said Ford has worked closely with its dealer groups on the effort. He would not say, however, whether it is compensating them for lost repair business.

        Along with using OTA for software updates, Ford says it plans to send new features and functionality. One example could be upgrading the weather screen to go from a single day to a full week’s forecast.

        The automaker could go even further, allowing motorists to add functions and features that weren’t on the vehicle initially. Tesla has used this approach to let buyers of some of its vehicles to increase their range. Ford officials said that a customer who might not have purchased a safety system, like blind spot detection, could later pay to have that technology activated or add new features when developed if they use existing hardware. That could create a new revenue stream.

        Ford hopes to use the OTA capability of Sync 4 for some recall repairs or updates.

        As a result, “the age of a vehicle will only be as old as the latest software package it has received,” said Ford’s Venagelov.

        The Sync 4 update will position Ford to more directly challenge Tesla on a technical basis, said analyst Abuelsamid. But he doesn’t expect the two to have the cloud-based space all to themselves for long.

        (Ford Agrees to $17M Settlement with MyFordTouch Owners)

        Noting that both General Motors and Volkswagen have announced similar plans, Abuelsamid told TheDetroitBureau.com, “You’ll see the rest of the industry going in this direction over the next couple years.”

        Recently Published
        Carlos Tavares v3 3-1-22

        EV Sales Growing Fast, But Stellantis CEO Tavares Warns of “Many Bumps” Along the Way

        Yesterday
        Stellantis Samsung SDI Kokomo

        Stellantis Plowing $2.5B into New Indiana Battery Plant

        Yesterday
        2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

        Hyundai Recalling 281K Vehicles Due to Exploding Seat Belt Part

        Yesterday

        2 responses to “Ford Sync’s With the Cloud to Offer OTA Updates, New Features”

        1. Sean Childress says:
          October 30, 2019 at 11:27 am

          I have an older SYNC system in my 2013 F250……I would be willing to pay a subscription to have my system updated to a newer version. I have no desire to buy a new vehicle since this one is paid off. I think Ford could make some money on this idea by bundling services like music, navigation, etc.

          Reply
          1. Paul A. Eisenstein says:
            October 30, 2019 at 10:40 pm

            Unsure how far back the updated Sync4 will go. Some features simply won’t be available because of the need for revisions to the vehicle’s electrical architecture, never mind the new screens and other hardware. But you should check in the coming months to see if any of the upgrade will work on your vehicle.

            Paul E.

            Reply

        Leave a Reply Cancel reply

        Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

        Share this article:
        © The Detroit Bureau 2022
        • Guides
        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms of Use
        • Affiliate Disclosure
        • Contact Us
        • Sitemap
        Follow Us: