MyFord Touch
Encyclopedia
MyFord Touch is an in-car communications and entertainment
system developed by the Ford Motor Company
and Microsoft
. The technology comes factory installed with Ford's 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
.
s, PDA
s 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 enables users to operate various portable devices (e.g. MP3 players, Bluetooth
enabled phones and USB devices) using simple voice commands. MyFord Touch is also capable of receiving text messages and reading these text messages aloud to occupants of the car.
As a stand-alone option, the MSRP is $1,000. Purchasers of this option, on Ford brand products, 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).
MyFord Touch was recognized by PC Magazine
.
Versions List
Note: MyFord Touch is generally available only on medium to high end trim packages.
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
system developed by the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
and Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
. The technology comes factory installed with Ford's product offerings and is based on the Microsoft Auto
Microsoft Auto
Windows Embedded Automotive is an embedded operating system based on Windows CE for use on computer systems in automobiles...
4.0 software platform. It is regarded as the next-generation of Ford Sync
Ford Sync
Ford SYNC is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls and control music and other functions using voice commands...
. Announced in January 2010, at the Consumer Electronics Show
Consumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
(CES), the technology launched with the 2011 Ford Edge
Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by Ford, based on the Ford CD3 platform shared with previous generation Mazda6 and marketed in rebadged form as the Lincoln MKX...
.
Overview
MyFord Touch enables drivers of Ford's car offerings to seamlessly integrate nearly all mobile phoneMobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
s, PDA
PDA
A PDA is most commonly a Personal digital assistant, also known as a Personal data assistant, a mobile electronic device.PDA may also refer to:In science, medicine and technology:...
s and digital media players into their cars. Operation of these devices, utilizing advanced Ford Sync
Ford Sync
Ford SYNC is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls and control music and other functions using voice commands...
functionality, is performed using voice commands, touch-screen inputs, the vehicle's steering wheel
Steering wheel
A steering wheel is a type of steering control in vehicles and vessels ....
, radio controls, Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
and Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
connectivity.
MyFord Touch enables users to operate various portable devices (e.g. MP3 players, Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
enabled phones and USB devices) using simple voice commands. MyFord Touch is also capable of receiving text messages and reading these text messages aloud to occupants of the car.
As a stand-alone option, the MSRP is $1,000. Purchasers of this option, on Ford brand products, 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
Ford Sync
Ford SYNC is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls and control music and other functions using voice commands...
voice activated communications and entertainment system (Free three year pre-paid subscription for 911 Assist, Vehicle Health Reports, traffic reports, GPS
GPS navigation device
A GPS navigation device is any device that receives Global Positioning System signals for the purpose of determining the device's current location on Earth...
-based turn by turn driving directions and information services).
MyFord Touch was recognized by PC Magazine
PC Magazine
PC Magazine is a computer magazine published by Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009...
.
Features
- Traffic, Directions and Information: Improved visual presentation of the SYNCFord SyncFord SYNC is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls and control music and other functions using voice commands...
traffic, directions and information applications.- Traffic Alerts — provided by INRIX.
- Map-based navigation application via an optional SD card — provided by TeleNavTeleNavTeleNav, Inc. is a wireless location-based services company that provides several services including global positioning system navigation, local search, mobile advertising & commerce, enterprise mobility and workflow automation...
. - SD card navigation includes services like weather maps, gas prices, and movie listings — via SIRIUS Travel LinkSIRIUS Travel LinkSIRIUS Travel Link is a premium data service owned and operated by Sirius XM Radio The service requires a subscription fee and includes a variety of services available over satellite including SIRIUS Satellite Radio...
.
- 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: In the event of a serious road accident (airbagAirbagAn Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
deployment) and, on certain vehicles, where the emergency fuel pumpFuel pumpA fuel pump is a frequently essential component on a car or other internal combustion engined device. Many engines do not require any fuel pump at all, requiring only gravity to feed fuel from the fuel tank through a line or hose to the engine...
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. - Media Hub:
- 2 USB 2.0 inputs;
- SD card slot;
- A/V Input Jacks — RCA type.
- Internet Connectivity: MyFord Touch provides full Wi-FiWi-FiWi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
capability. The technology also includes hotspotHotspot (Wi-Fi)A hotspot is a site that offers Internet access over a wireless local area network through the use of a router connected to a link to an Internet service provider...
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-FiWi-FiWi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
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.
- Tested Aircards:
- Media Player Support: MyFord Touch provides compatibility with USB-connected MP3 players.
- AM/FM/CD, Sirius Satellite RadioSirius Satellite RadioSirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
, HD RadioHD RadioHD Radio, which originally stood for "Hybrid Digital", is the trademark for iBiquity's in-band on-channel digital radio technology used by AM and FM radio stations to transmit audio and data via a digital signal in conjunction with their analog signals...
capability. - Media player equipped with new PodcastPodcastA podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
category. - Enhanced BluetoothBluetoothBluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
audio support.
- AM/FM/CD, Sirius Satellite Radio
Versions
The current version of MyFord Touch is 2.11. The update addressed several issues regarding Bluetooth Connectivity and crashing.Versions List
| CCPU In-vehicle | Image Part No. Suffix | SyncMyRide.com Version | Generation | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10212 | -AJ | 1.8 | ||
| 10308 | -BD | 2.3 | SYNCGen2_4.22.10308_PRODUCT | |
| 10337 | -BE | 2.4 | SYNCGen2_4.22.10337_PRODUCT | |
| 11038 | -BH | 2.7 | SYNCGen2_4.23.11038_PRODUCT | |
| 11063 | -BJ | 2.8 | SYNCGen2_4.23.11063_PRODUCT | |
| 11081 | -BL | 2.10 | SYNCGen2_4.23.11081_PRODUCT | Focus only |
| 11134 | |
2.11 | SYNCGen2_4.23.11134_PRODUCT | Released 26 Oct 2011 |
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 EdgeFord EdgeThe Ford Edge is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by Ford, based on the Ford CD3 platform shared with previous generation Mazda6 and marketed in rebadged form as the Lincoln MKX...
— 2011 Model Year - Ford ExplorerFord ExplorerThe Ford Explorer is a sport-utility vehicle sold in North America and built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990, as a replacement for the smaller but related Ford Bronco II. It is manufactured in Chicago, Illinois...
— 2011 Model Year - Lincoln MKXLincoln MKXThe Lincoln MKX is a mid-size luxury crossover from Ford's Lincoln division and a de facto successor to the Lincoln Aviator luxury SUV. It debuted as a 2007 model in December 2006 as a production version of the Lincoln Aviator Concept shown at the 2004 North American International Auto Show...
— 2011 Model Year - Ford Focus — 2012 Model Year
- Ford TaurusFord TaurusThe Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States. Originally introduced in the 1986 model year, it has remained in near-continuous production for more than two decades, making it the fourth oldest nameplate that is currently sold in the North American...
— 2013 Model Year
Criticism
MyFord Touch has been cited by J.D. Powers & Associates as the feature contributing to a decline in Ford's standing in the 2011 "Initial Quality Survey" of new car purchasers. The study ranked 2011 Ford 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. According to J.D. Powers vice president of research David Sargent, the primary complaints were that "the system was not as intuitive to operate as they would have liked," and that they found the hands-free, voice-activated operations displeasing.See also
- Audi MMIMulti Media InterfaceThe Audi MMI system, is an in-car user interface media system developed by Audi, and implemented in most of its latest series of cars/automobiles since 2004.-Concept:...
- BluetoothBluetoothBluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
- BMW iDriveIDriveiDrive is a computer system which is used to control most secondary vehicle systems in many current BMW cars. iDrive's user interface consists of a LCD panel mounted in the dashboard and a controller knob mounted on the center console....
- Ford SyncFord SyncFord SYNC is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls and control music and other functions using voice commands...
- GPSGlobal Positioning SystemThe Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
- Toyota's G-BookG-BookG-Book is a telematics subscription service currently provided by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan for its Toyota- and Lexus-branded vehicles. G-Book allows users to link with cellphones , personal digital assistants 's, personal computers and G-Book equipped cars across Japan...
- Kia UVOKia UVOKia UVO is an in-car infotainment system with advanced voice- and touch-activated features. Kia UVO, short for 'Your Voice,' provides simple and quick access to vehicle's multimedia and infotainment systems. It is much like Ford Sync and is developed by Microsoft and Kia and is be available on new...
- Lexus LinkLexus LinkLexus Link, launched October, 2000, is a subscription-based safety and security service from Lexus. It has been offered as a factory-installed option, available on certain Lexus models , offering call-center-based telematics services to owners with equipped vehicles in the United States and Canada...
- Mercedes COMANDComand APSCockpit Management and Data system - COMAND for short - acts as a “command center” for all audio, telematics and telecommunications functions on Mercedes-Benz vehicles...
- OnStarOnStarOnStar Corporation is a subsidiary of General Motors that provides subscription-based communications, in-vehicle security, hands free calling, turn-by-turn navigation, and remote diagnostics systems throughout the United States, Canada and China. A similar service is known as ChevyStar in Latin...
- Sirius Satellite RadioSirius Satellite RadioSirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...