New SYNC 3 coming...

[wasinger3000]

Interesting.  Link to article(s)?

It was all over my news feeds yesterday, but here's one:

http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-cooks-up-way-to-run-windows-10-on-android-devices/


The initiative is called 'One Platform'.  Essentially having Win, xbox and mobile use the same or similar OS for an identical user experience.

It will be interesting to see how it works out. I'm hesitant to upgrade my workstation till I know it's an improvement.

[J-Will]

Interesting.  Link to article(s)?

It was all over my news feeds yesterday, but here's one:

http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-cooks-up-way-to-run-windows-10-on-android-devices/


The initiative is called 'One Platform'.  Essentially having Win, xbox and mobile use the same or similar OS for an identical user experience.

It will be interesting to see how it works out. I'm hesitant to upgrade my workstation till I know it's an improvement.

If you are referring to Win 10, it is an improvement regardless of which OS you're currently on. I've been messing around with the tech preview for a few months, and like it. Another piece of news that also came out about 10 yesterday was that it may be initially free even if you have a pirated copy. This was stated in the context of China, so it is unclear I'd this applies to US. It was already released that 10 will be free to 7, 8, 8.1 users.

Now, I do not know if it will be possible to install 10 on Syncs hardware. It sounds like it could be, however there will be software limitations. Furthermore, if it is possible to install the OS, infotainment is easy to create/ configure, but vehicle functions such as HVAC might not be. Also, we have the small screen in the gauge cluster that feeds off Sync too. So while it may be possible, it will still take some work to make it a solid replacement. But the question is worth asking!

[wasinger3000]

Interesting.  Link to article(s)?

It was all over my news feeds yesterday, but here's one:

http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-cooks-up-way-to-run-windows-10-on-android-devices/


The initiative is called 'One Platform'.  Essentially having Win, xbox and mobile use the same or similar OS for an identical user experience.

It will be interesting to see how it works out. I'm hesitant to upgrade my workstation till I know it's an improvement.

If you are referring to Win 10, it is an improvement regardless of which OS you're currently on. I've been messing around with the tech preview for a few months, and like it. Another piece of news that also came out about 10 yesterday was that it may be initially free even if you have a pirated copy. This was stated in the context of China, so it is unclear I'd this applies to US. It was already released that 10 will be free to 7, 8, 8.1 users.

Now, I do not know if it will be possible to install 10 on Syncs hardware. It sounds like it could be, however there will be software limitations. Furthermore, if it is possible to install the OS, infotainment is easy to create/ configure, but vehicle functions such as HVAC might not be. Also, we have the small screen in the gauge cluster that feeds off Sync too. So while it may be possible, it will still take some work to make it a solid replacement. But the question is worth asking!

I'm using 8.1 on my laptops and I'm ok with it but not thrilled. Still on windows 7 for my workstation as its a weeks job reinstalling all my programs. Holding out for the official win 10 release.

I hope it comes out in June as it was scheduled to. But it's been delayed once so I could happen again.

I don't see win 10 being run on our sync system without some serious software engineering. Trying to control the HVAC system would have to be worked out. I would defently pay to see it made though.

Any idea what the hardware specs are on the 13+ sync system?

[BiGMaC]

I am a big fan of convergence... but the software companies aren't.  Each one wants you heavily invested in their particular landscape.  It's big bucks! I doubt if RIM will implement something like Win 10 since it is selling Ford the QNX auto software (now the most used in the world) and RIM is struggling still as their phones fell behind in functionality.

[PokerMunkee]

Here is the thread w/ pics fellas...

http://www.shoforum.com/index.php?threads/new-here-2013-sho.128950/#post-1421721

[J-Will]

Interesting.  Link to article(s)?

It was all over my news feeds yesterday, but here's one:

http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-cooks-up-way-to-run-windows-10-on-android-devices/


The initiative is called 'One Platform'.  Essentially having Win, xbox and mobile use the same or similar OS for an identical user experience.

It will be interesting to see how it works out. I'm hesitant to upgrade my workstation till I know it's an improvement.

If you are referring to Win 10, it is an improvement regardless of which OS you're currently on. I've been messing around with the tech preview for a few months, and like it. Another piece of news that also came out about 10 yesterday was that it may be initially free even if you have a pirated copy. This was stated in the context of China, so it is unclear I'd this applies to US. It was already released that 10 will be free to 7, 8, 8.1 users.

Now, I do not know if it will be possible to install 10 on Syncs hardware. It sounds like it could be, however there will be software limitations. Furthermore, if it is possible to install the OS, infotainment is easy to create/ configure, but vehicle functions such as HVAC might not be. Also, we have the small screen in the gauge cluster that feeds off Sync too. So while it may be possible, it will still take some work to make it a solid replacement. But the question is worth asking!

I'm using 8.1 on my laptops and I'm ok with it but not thrilled. Still on windows 7 for my workstation as its a weeks job reinstalling all my programs. Holding out for the official win 10 release.

I hope it comes out in June as it was scheduled to. But it's been delayed once so I could happen again.

I don't see win 10 being run on our sync system without some serious software engineering. Trying to control the HVAC system would have to be worked out. I would defently pay to see it made though.

Any idea what the hardware specs are on the 13+ sync system?

My hold up is the Ford-specific integration as well.  However, keep in mind that Sync is built on Win Embedded.  This tells me from a conceptual standpoint that is is possible to simply upgrade the OS while retaining the primary features that make the system usable. 

The link about the upgrade to Sync 3 states that it is plug and play with hardware swaps.  While that is easy enough, my issue is this: you've essentially replaced a laptop, with another like laptop simply to change the OS.  While that statement could very well be overly simplistic, something about performing that swap just doesn't make sense to me.  Diving deeper into that, I dont know what the cost is, nor the long term functionality of the brand new OS and system is just yet to know if Sync 3 truly is better at face value.  Sure it looks nice, but what is usability like?  What will it be like in a year?

With Win 10, you know you're getting a ton of functionality, and opening the platform up to many more applications.  The very obvious caveat to this would be: https://supportforums.blackberry.com/t5/Downloaded-Applications-for/You-Upgraded-to-OS-10-2-1-and-want-to-run-Android-Apps-on-Your/td-p/2784957
Though I would argue, having Windows is always going to yield more versatility than any mobile-centric OS. 

I think the main questions would be:
Can Win 10 be installed over top of Sync 2 hardware?  If so, can all current functionality be retained, while still adding more customization and functionality inherent in Win 10?
What is the sheer cost of installing Sync 3 as a 1 for 1 replacement of Sync 2?  (I have a feeling this is going to price people out of doing the swap... Are you really going to pay $1k to essentially get the latest version of the same thing?).

[J-Will]

I am a big fan of convergence... but the software companies aren't.  Each one wants you heavily invested in their particular landscape.  It's big bucks! I doubt if RIM will implement something like Win 10 since it is selling Ford the QNX auto software (now the most used in the world) and RIM is struggling still as their phones fell behind in functionality.

This would fall as a 'PRO' under my argument for attempting to install Win 10 on Sync 2 versus upgrading to Sync 3.  The unknown being whether or not that install is even possible, and if it is how it plays with Sync hardware. 

[sunwolf]

Miracast to Sync would be a huge upgrade.

The new Sync 3 is still the same system with a few upgrades.

The same what? They've moved from Microsoft to Blackberry. Most of the hardware will probably be newer versions or similar to current gen. Sync hardware is actually pretty inexpensive at wholesale.

Ok I get it not many people like Microsoft but BLACKBERRY? What is ford thinking?

[Airbornemaikai]

Ok many people have tried changing the way the current sync works and I have yet to see or hear of a single iteration I would even attempt on my own vehicle because one thing goes wrong and your warranty sure isn't going to cover it. I can pretty much guarantee win 10 will never be a possibility on these vehicles, at least not within the next decade. Sync 3 functionality on a more intuitive interface is going to be a huge upgrade over our current sync systems. Considering the original release of sync wasn't even using the gpu to process the navigation system shows how sad the state of sync truly was. Moving to sync 3 is a great move and it sure would be nice if we current users can retro fit it to our vehicles but I also doubt this will be an option that dealerships will offer, will most likely require our own purchase and install if its even at all possible. Not enough info about the new hardware is available to make any of it more than speculation though. The new sync will not even be powered by Microsoft other than the wifi updates so I can say pretty confidently that win 10 will never run on these systems

[J-Will]

Ok many people have tried changing the way the current sync works and I have yet to see or hear of a single iteration I would even attempt on my own vehicle because one thing goes wrong and your warranty sure isn't going to cover it. I can pretty much guarantee win 10 will never be a possibility on these vehicles, at least not within the next decade. Sync 3 functionality on a more intuitive interface is going to be a huge upgrade over our current sync systems. Considering the original release of sync wasn't even using the gpu to process the navigation system shows how sad the state of sync truly was. Moving to sync 3 is a great move and it sure would be nice if we current users can retro fit it to our vehicles but I also doubt this will be an option that dealerships will offer, will most likely require our own purchase and install if its even at all possible. Not enough info about the new hardware is available to make any of it more than speculation though. The new sync will not even be powered by Microsoft other than the wifi updates so I can say pretty confidently that win 10 will never run on these systems

I am not sure why there is a concern over warranty.  You're changing the underlying system that acts in a read-only mode for the most part.  Sure, there are some basic settings but those pertain to the infotainment layer of the system as opposed to core vehicle functions.  If something goes wrong 1) you troubleshoot the issue 2) you re install the OEM software.  But your car will not have a catastrophic meltdown because the radio doesn't work. 

We are talking about installing Win 10 ourselves onto the hardware... not via an official channel.  I dont know if that changes your 'guarantee' but since Sync is already a computer system running Win Embedded I do not see how you could possibly think that it is not possible to install a newer version of Windows. 

[J-Will]

Also, it seems like Ford is already opening up the previous and current gen Sync system:
https://developer.ford.com/

OpenXC sounds promising.

[Airbornemaikai]

I'm talking warranty relating to the entire sync system, not engine components. Let's say you bsod some home brew os on there and you can't revert it, then what? Then you have a $2k piece of junk right smack in the middle of your vehicle. Ford extended the warranty on these systems and once you tamper with it, anything goes out aka the screen, you are sol if you modified it. Again I personally would not attempt to alter such a garbled mess of an os in my $50k vehicle. I stick by what I say of win 10 not being functional on our current sync systems, it's a lot more complicated than just install win 10 on it and viola everything works. Regardless of them trying to make it a cross platform of it still has plenty of years to go till it even works properly on the current device they are trying to make it work on, none the less one its not even designed to run on. I have n Xbox one and a windows phone as well as the win 10 tech preview and half the functions don't work properly. Would I like it to be a possibilty? Absolutely, that would be freaking amazing for us as consumers, but this is a business model where they will try and squeeze every last penny out that they can. It will take those with the know how and the willingness to take risks on a system which costs a pretty penny in a vehicle that costs an even prettier penny to get it to work and I just don't see the demand or willingness of people to try this out on a system still under warranty and already piss poorly coded from the opening gate. That being said, by all means if you wanna take a crack at it let us know how it works


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[PokerMunkee]

I love the SYNC v2 in my SHO.  I have no beefs with it.  Granted, I mainly listen to Sirius, use Bluetooth, and use the Navigation every once in a while.  Does everything just fine.  I do think I shouldn't have to click on the screen so much, would like a joystick on the steering wheel or something that I can click with.

I had a 2015i Suburban and 2015 Tahoe has rentals for 4 weeks and it's much better than GM's MyLink.  I have not used Chryler's UConnect, but all of the journalists think it's the cat's meow.

[Airbornemaikai]

My wife has a 2014 Somic with Mylink and I think their system as far as responsiveness is way more fluid than our sync 2 systems. Functionality wise I feel our sync is better though, but not as fluid/quick to respond. Now that I have been using sync since its inception, (had a 12 Edge Sport, then 13 Explorer and now my 14 Explorer Sport) I cannot imagine going to anything less, it really has come a long ways, but in the tech world hardware is obsolete in months not years, and with Ford hyping this sync 3 system even after the pitfalls of the original, I have a feeling its going to be a great system, heck just the implementation of ota updates is great

[J-Will]

I'm talking warranty relating to the entire sync system, not engine components. Let's say you bsod some home brew os on there and you can't revert it, then what? Then you have a $2k piece of junk right smack in the middle of your vehicle. Ford extended the warranty on these systems and once you tamper with it, anything goes out aka the screen, you are sol if you modified it. Again I personally would not attempt to alter such a garbled mess of an os in my $50k vehicle. I stick by what I say of win 10 not being functional on our current sync systems, it's a lot more complicated than just install win 10 on it and viola everything works. Regardless of them trying to make it a cross platform of it still has plenty of years to go till it even works properly on the current device they are trying to make it work on, none the less one its not even designed to run on. I have n Xbox one and a windows phone as well as the win 10 tech preview and half the functions don't work properly. Would I like it to be a possibilty? Absolutely, that would be freaking amazing for us as consumers, but this is a business model where they will try and squeeze every last penny out that they can. It will take those with the know how and the willingness to take risks on a system which costs a pretty penny in a vehicle that costs an even prettier penny to get it to work and I just don't see the demand or willingness of people to try this out on a system still under warranty and already piss poorly coded from the opening gate. That being said, by all means if you wanna take a crack at it let us know how it works


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Gotcha.  I still think the only thing holding anyone back is the Ford proprietary portion of the Sync system.  Other than that, its a basic Windows computer (maybe tablet is a closer example?).  We know the underlying OS is Windows Embedded.  Which means at a conceptual level it is possible to wipe out the OS and start fresh with a full blown newer version.  Wish I had the time to tinker, but there is no way I could take on another hobby