MyFord Touch Revolutionizes In-Car Displays
To state it simply, MyFord Touch will allow drivers to customize how they use systems like climate control, music, navigation and the phone. Besides that, the new system is wedged into radically redesigned center stacks with an impressive level of sophistication.
The new technology will roll out this summer in the 2011 Ford Edge and 2011 Lincoln MKX. The system will be called MyLincoln and MyMercury in those respective brands.
There is a lot to learn about MyFord, and we do our best to break down the most important aspects below, along with a lot of images. We’ll also have a separate post on the interiors of the new Edge and MKX, which were revealed a bit early with this technology rollout. The MKX will debut next week at the Detroit auto show.
The Basics
MyFord Touch is built around the
company’s well-received Sync system, which uses voice commands to
control many in-car entertainment and information functions. MyFord
beefs up Sync’s capabilities with better voice recognition, new
functions and, oh yeah, reorganizes every control in the car.
Think
of MyFord as a touch-screen and voice-controlled version of BMW’s
iDrive that is completely customizable and with two more LCD screens.
Seem dizzying? It is. Besides a bunch of new functionality, Ford really
has changed the look and feel of its controls. Gone are simple knobs and
plastic buttons; they’re replaced with touch-screens and capacitive
touch buttons, which react like the click wheel on an iPod. MyLincoln
Touch will feature slider controls (below), which take a finger swipe to
raise or lower the volume or vent speed. Yeah, you read that right.
MyFord Touch will be an option on some trim levels and will come standard on others depending on the model – MyLincoln Touch will be standard in the MKX – and it will also roll out in the all-new 2012 Ford Focus compact.
The Screens
MyFord Touch features three LCD screens. The center stack packs an 8-inch touch-screen that is the hub of the system where all the functions are controlled and settings are adjusted. Controls are broken into four color-coded categories: orange for phone, red for music, green for navigation and blue for climate. Each takes up a corner of the home screen, and tapping any part of the corner takes users to the corresponding menu screen. See, we told you it was like iDrive.If it all seems too dizzying – the screen above looks overcomplicated to us – remember that we said it is customizable. So if you want your home screen to display only music and climate for daily driving, you can do that.
Customization
The biggest strength of the MyFord Touch system is that it can be customized to the driver, or two drivers, and all settings will be recognized depending what key is inserted into the ignition. A wallpaper image can be uploaded to the home screen, and it, too, can change with each driver.
Hot buttons can be created so you can go straight to your favorite iPod playlist or contact a family member you call on every drive home. A MyTemp hot button stores a preferred temperature, but it’s unclear whether that can also be programmed for vent speed and mode.
Features
The list of stuff the MyFord Touch can do is a bit long, so we’re reverting to cutting and pasting here from Ford’s various press releases along with more images. Our favorites include Wi-Fi access, web browser, two USB ports (yes!), SD card slot and an RSS reader that gets funneled to a text-to-speech system. It seems like it will dictate the morning news.
Again, there is a lot here, and we will have an hands-on look next week in Detroit.
Media Hub
- Additional USB port for a total of two USB 2.0 inputs
- SD Card slot
- RCA A/V input jacks
Internet Connectivity
- Full WiFi capability including Internet “hot spot” connectivity and a built-in browser for use while in “Park” (late availability)
- Integrated browser supports tabbed page navigation, “drag” to pan and scroll and a provides a 3-D carousel for bookmark browsing
- Support for on-screen and USB-connected keyboards
- RSS feed aggregator and text-to-voice reader
- Mobile in-car WiFi “hot spot” capability through USB-installed air card or USB mobile broadband modem
Phone
- Phone book contact photo download and 3-D carousel browsing
- Birthday reminders
- Enhanced error correction and reporting
Voice Recognition
- Direct speech commands and “flattened structure” for quicker, more responsive voice control
- Voice-command activation of selected climate control functions
- Voice commands will be available for most radio functions, including AM/FM, HD RadioTM Technology and SIRIUS/XM® Satellite Radio
- SIRIUS Game Finder application will facilitate automatic voice tuning for desired sporting events using commands such as “Tune to Detroit Lions game” or “Show NBA games”
Navigation
- Improved visual presentation of SYNC Traffic, Directions & Information app including directional arrows, street names, and distance markers
- Map-based navigation app provided by TeleNav via an optional
SD Card
- SD Card navigation includes SIRIUS Travel LinkTM services such as weather maps, movie listings, gas prices, and sports scores
- SD Card navigation also adds cities point-of-interest information including ratings and amenities
- Map data includes 3-D visual landmarks
Climate Control
- MyTemp personalization allows the driver to store a preferred temperature, which is then accessible with a single touch of the MyTemp button
- Different MyTemp settings can be programmed to different keys; multiple drivers in a household can each have unique MyTemp settings
Audio
- AM/FM/CD, SIRIUS/XM satellite radio, USB-connected MP3 players and memory sticks
- New HD Radio capability
- Song tagging capability via HD Radio Technology, allowing listeners to identify song information and store it for later use
- Browse tracks by artist, scan lists of tracks with identical names, and browse through devices without having to change audio sources
- 3-D carousel album cover art and photo viewing displays allow easy scanning of available material, especially combined with Gracenote Media Management
- Media player equipped with new “Podcast” source category
- Enhanced Bluetooth® audio support including metadata, which allows additional command and control functions for capable mobile devices
Vehicle Setting Personalization
- Ambient lighting color control using a 3-D carousel browser
- Custom welcome messages
- Saved and transferrable user profiles that can be ported between Ford vehicles equipped with MyFord
- Door keypad code control using on-screen menus
- Where available, Active Park Assist and Rear View Camera displays
- Image and video uploading via SD card slot or USB 2.0 ports
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Wow.
Broq
OMG album art!
like broq said, wow. Ford is really throwing the punches now isn't it?
Will some functions be locked while the vehicle is in motion? Seems to me that this technology puts a lot of distraction for the driver. I am all for this new technology but it should also have some safety features incorporated so that the driver focuses on what is important, driving.
JR,
I'm sure the majority of the functions will be disabled unless its in park, just like some features in today's navi systems.
This could really be a game-changer if it's well-received. Dashboards have been due for a redesign, and it looks like Ford has thrown down the gauntlet!!
Wallpaper image???
How about looking out the windshield instead!
Customizing the screens likely will be something you have to do in park as well as typing directly on the screen. However, with the text to speech and voice recognition you should be able to add destinations to the nav on the fly.
I'm not sure why, but I've always dislike speedometers where "0" is kind of at some angle off of straight down (as most are). I like the looks of this one.
Dan,
That's usually because the wheel can obscure the numbers that low. Although you probably only need to know if you're speeding right? not when you're going 10 mph.
This seems like a really cool feature, but I worry about the longevity of such technology. Will the touch screen EVERYTHING still be functional 10 or 15 years down the road? It's one thing having merely a touch screen nav, but having every aspect from fan speed to the speedometer controlled by touch screens and LEDs really scares me
I also worry about the longevity of such technology.
touch screen, and LEDs. Very good.
Oy veh. Too much, too much. At what point does the driver actually focus on "driving" the car? It makes owning an old '49 Chevy appealing, with all of its low tech-ness.
Everything should function. I was in my friends 1998 Lexus LS400 and the Nav worked just fine.
definitely this website is good to watch. But driver should concentrate on "driving" only, the technology improved but should not distract the respective driving persons.
Oh!!! good technology... Everything is good...
I like the ole days where it was a small block v-8 towing my boat behind on the way to go fishing. No fancy electronics, just the road and the 4 barrel carb
car shipping
Nice car!Great technology!!I like it very much!
Thanks for sharing this powerful information.That's very helpful and interesting.
cheap the musical tickets
Wow ! fords getting it right ... i mite just buy one and leave my bmw parked for a bit! lol
It's all very cool, I really want to have a car like that. someday I'll get it.
Thank you for give the valid information about the car.It has touch-screen and LCD screens.It has fully WiFi capability.so the car is amazing to see.
Image and video uploading via SD card slot or USB 2.0 ports .Map data includes 3-D visual landmarks.I think all the peoples like this new technology...This car is very beautiful ....
Thank You for showing this car.I really like to keep this type car .....
Vow.. Excellent pictures! Very informative too..Thanks
Very informative article.. Thanks for your valuable posting!
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