[kazyovka]

Ford delays switch to Android Automotive until 2023

Early F-150 Lightnings will ship with Sync 4 and can't be upgraded, Ford says.

arstechnica.com

I'm not sure if this something we should care about or not, but it the article notes that they planned to have Android Automotive installed on the 2022 Lightnings, but delayed the plan, will ship with QNX, and they won't be upgradeable later, either.

I don't know what, if anything, this means for the end-user. I'm guessing a slightly slicker infotainment UI and quite possibly a more responsive touchscreen on AA.

 

[PV2EV]

Shanking the early adopters...

 

[kazyovka]

well if I had a 2023 coming and someone with a 2022 coming offered to swap, I’d still happily take it a year earlier.

I’m not even sure if the difference is important, since I’m just gonna use CarPlay

 

[HellBoy]

thanks gosh!!!....I do not want to have Google crap tracking the crap out of me + dealing with the myriad of security holes.
If Ford insists in using Android Auto in the future, I will look somewhere else when it's time to replace my Lightning.

 

[FM_Jack]

Ford delays switch to Android Automotive until 2023

Early F-150 Lightnings will ship with Sync 4 and can't be upgraded, Ford says.

arstechnica.com

I'm not sure if this something we should care about or not, but it the article notes that they planned to have Android Automotive installed on the 2022 Lightnings, but delayed the plan, will ship with QNX, and they won't be upgradeable later, either.

I don't know what, if anything, this means for the end-user. I'm guessing a slightly slicker infotainment UI and quite possibly a more responsive touchscreen on AA.

to get an idea of what it could be like (timestamped):

 

[FM_Jack]

thanks gosh!!!....I do not want to have Google crap tracking the crap out of me + dealing with the myriad of security holes.
If Ford insists in using Android Auto in the future, I will look somewhere else when it's time to replace my Lightning.

As long as you are fine with Ford tracking you...

 

[pennkev]

well if I had a 2023 coming and someone with a 2022 coming offered to swap, I’d still happily take it a year earlier.

I’m not even sure if the difference is important, since I’m just gonna use CarPlay

What kind of Lightning do you want and we can talk about a trade! lol

 

[Voltz]

thanks gosh!!!....I do not want to have Google crap tracking the crap out of me + dealing with the myriad of security holes.
If Ford insists in using Android Auto in the future, I will look somewhere else when it's time to replace my Lightning.

Not that it changes anything, but Android Auto (phone to car) and Android Automotive (the car’s operating system), that Ford is transitioning to, are two distinct products from Google. Brilliant marketing.

 

[HellBoy]

Not that it changes anything, but Android Auto (phone to car) and Android Automotive (the car’s operating system), that Ford is transitioning to, are two distinct products from Google. Brilliant marketing.

yep I tots know that…Android Automotive is frequently affected by security bugs - example: Android Automotive OS Update Bulletin—December 2021 | Android Open Source Project and they are fairly easy to explore, some just involve a user plugging in their contaminated Android phone OR installing an app that is contaminated receiving a text message….etc.

This is a security nightmare that Ford should have no part of and I truly hope it fails…

 

[kazyovka]

What kind of Lightning do you want and we can talk about a trade! lol

I've got a 2022 coming and I'm standing pat with that!

 

[pennkev]

I've got a 2022 coming and I'm standing pat with that!

Ahh, I misread your statement, I have a 2022 coming as well but I would be willing to trade. I love Google products (and they are really secure, more than most). However, I am still excited about my 2022.

 

[kazyovka]

I bet there’s a ton of hopefuls on this forum that would take the other side of your swap. I love google products too and I’m sure AA is going to be better overall than QNX. But I want this truck sooner.

 

[tib805]

Tell me what benefit would android automotive be over the existing system that has us connected to your phone which has android auto already? Or Apple carplay if you are so inclined. Is it that it would just be native? Or are there added benefits?

 

[FM_Jack]

Tell me what benefit would android automotive be over the existing system that has us connected to your phone which has android auto already? Or Apple carplay if you are so inclined. Is it that it would just be native? Or are there added benefits?

Android Automotive OS offers a plethora of options to infotainment system development engineers and media app developers alike. The platform mitigates some of the biggest challenges faced by developers in the past.

• It enables screen size customizations, input methods and other OEM customizations.
• The platform also facilitates the implementation of regional guidelines for driver safety.
• The OS enables the use of Android open source platform for automotive applications. The versatility of the Android ecosystem and the consumer’s familiarity with the OS (owing to smartphone usage) can be harnessed and extended to the automotive experience as well.
• Android Automotive is evolving quickly to support an extensive range of functions for the IVI systems of tomorrow.
• OEMs can also choose to use Android Automotive and build their custom IVI system with third-party apps for navigation and VR, based on their unique requirements. There is no obligation to stick to standard Google services for navigation and VR.
• The existence of a large Android developer community is beneficial for IVI development engineers. Developers have easy access to a goldmine of information and reusable software from thousands of other Android developers.

I think it is just as simple as trying not to reinvent the wheel and save on money. That's why higher end vehicles like aston uses MBUX instead of creating there own. Yuri from Straight Pipes liked using the Android Auto OS because it was easier to interact with the android system for navigation etc.

Also Ford indicated that they will stop providing updates and live traffic to the native navigation after 3 years for Sync 4/4A. If they are switching to AAOS then they don't have to deal with keeping up that aspect of the service (I'm assuming).

I'm also wondering if you'd be able to view media.

 

[GDN]

Also Ford indicated that they will stop providing updates and live traffic to the native navigation after 3 years for Sync 4/4A. If they are switching to AAOS then they don't have to deal with keeping up that aspect of the service (I'm assuming).

Have they gone on record saying they won't support after 3 years or is this when their free / included server runs out? There will be protests at their door if they do nothing to provide support after only 3 years of an $80K truck. This is where their "leadership" puts them at the back of the pack.

 

[tib805]

I think it is just as simple as trying not to reinvent the wheel and save on money. That's why higher end vehicles like aston uses MBUX instead of creating there own. Yuri from Straight Pipes liked using the Android Auto OS because it was easier to interact with the android system for navigation etc.

Also Ford indicated that they will stop providing updates and live traffic to the native navigation after 3 years for Sync 4/4A. If they are switching to AAOS then they don't have to deal with keeping up that aspect of the service (I'm assuming).

I'm also wondering if you'd be able to view media.

You know the "view media" aspect is very important. I am spoiled having the ability to watch Netflix, Hulu and Disney plus on a 15 inch screen with awesome surround sound in my car! It is truly amazing! Explosions are so cool in the car! I REALLY hope Ford has got that in the works. It would be great in that beautiful 15 in screen while charging my truck!

 

[GDN]

You know the "view media" aspect is very important. I am spoiled having the ability to watch Netflix, Hulu and Disney plus on a 15 inch screen with awesome surround sound in my car! It is truly amazing! Explosions are so cool in the car! I REALLY hope Ford has got that in the works. It would be great in that beautiful 15 in screen while charging my truck!

Set me straight if I'm wrong, but you've gotten used to being spoiled watching that infotainment in a Tesla right? The true beauty of that in my book is that Tesla has put their middle finger up to Apple and Android and done it their own way.

I do not want my car to adhere to some other company's specs. Now Ford may very well prove (OK they already have over the years) that they can't innovate and use their own version of an open OS, but for sure I'm tired of them being strapped to some camp that won't let them get outside the lanes and do their own thing. Tesla is really the only one that has gone down this road and it has done well for them.

 

[HellBoy]

I think it is just as simple as trying not to reinvent the wheel and save on money. That's why higher end vehicles like aston uses MBUX instead of creating there own. Yuri from Straight Pipes liked using the Android Auto OS because it was easier to interact with the android system for navigation etc.

Also Ford indicated that they will stop providing updates and live traffic to the native navigation after 3 years for Sync 4/4A. If they are switching to AAOS then they don't have to deal with keeping up that aspect of the service (I'm assuming).

I'm also wondering if you'd be able to view media.

100% cost savings...a dumb one but that's what it is. Ford will soon find itself in a difficult position - like Volvo is right now, granted they are still pushing to find/resolve issues with Automotive.

this will also be fantastic for hackers:

• Remote user management. New APIs are available to create and delete Android users for remote management use cases. These APIs are integrated with the AAOS UX restriction engine, such that if these actions are remotely executed (for example, on the web or in a phone app), the drive-state of the vehicle is respected. For remote user locking, we integrate the existing DevicePolicyManager APIs with the UX restriction engine.

given Google's poor record for privacy & security, it will be amazing!! and then think about the supported versions - e.g. they have released 12, when will 11 be discontinued? 2y? LOL

 

[FM_Jack]

Have they gone on record saying they won't support after 3 years or is this when their free / included server runs out? There will be protests at their door if they do nothing to provide support after only 3 years of an $80K truck. This is where their "leadership" puts them at the back of the pack.

The live stream on Tuesday. Someone asked and that was the response:

"Getting to know the F-150 Lightning" Live Stream

Woah woah, you get this to work? what port do you stick it in? I've tried and nothing works in my wife's Mach E. Is it the one in the arm rest? J/k The console one under the screen, at the front, in front of the console with the Qi charger on the left.

www.lightningowners.com

FM_JACK from Maryland: You only get live navigation (traffic etc) for 3 years? then you have to pay?
⮑Moderator: Correct if you have Connected Built-In Navigation. Check out the link for more information. https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/sync/sync-4/what-are-the-sync-4-navigation-options/

The guy doing the stream said something that caught my ear and I asked specifically in the chat.

I'm just going to assume it isn't bundled with Blue Cruise and you have to pay for that separately after 3 years too.

 

[tib805]

There are rumors that Telsa will move over to Android do to customer demands for more functionality with the entertainment system.