DAVE Posted May 3, 2013 at 01:26 PM Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 at 01:26 PM Let me start out by saying as someone in the technology field, overall, I'm very impressed with Ford Sync One of the cool parts of my job is testing new cell phones for our corporate standards list when they come out and jump AT&T sim cards from phone to phone as needed. I've tested the iPhone, 4/4S/5 , HTC 8X Windows Phone, and this week the new Samsung Galaxy S4 in my new Fusion Energi. The only phone that consistently works with the Ford Sync system is the iPhone. The Windows phone was so so, and worst has been the Samsung S4 running Android 4.2.2. The S4 can't use the USB port without getting a USB error most of the time (I've tried various USB modes developer and so on)No music support on USB, No Pandora support on USB, and Bluetooth gets confused on what track it's playing and eventually stops working - same thing on the iPhone. USB has been the most reliable and trouble free for the iPhone. I've also updated the Sync system with the latest build (very cool and easy the way Ford uses a USB key and sends confirmation when your update is complete) I'm puzzled why Ford would not have better support for Android 4.x (Samsung Galaxy S2/S3 and S4 are selling extremely well world wide). It also took several tries to get the address book to download on the S4 (deleting all phones and reconnect) Using this popular Android phone completely makes the Sync entertainment system really limited. My experience with Sync and the iPhone was near perfect. Although, no phone I've tested supports reading text messages. Ford wins hands down with their Sync system but really needs to work closer with Google on better support for Android. No question that any long trips wil require me to take an iPhone with me.. Dave cindykop 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadRock Posted May 3, 2013 at 01:52 PM Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 at 01:52 PM I'm bummed to hear that. I just picked up the new HTC One running 4.1.2. Hopefully things change for the better in the next month or so before my Energi arrives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVE Posted May 3, 2013 at 02:32 PM Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 at 02:32 PM Bad Rock - Let us know how your experience goes with the HTC One (sweet phone) & Sync. I would advise that if you have an understanding of downloading updates & using a USB key . Ford makes it very easy and confirms the update. Here's where you start (create a login if needed)http://www.ford.com/syncmyride/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Fusion Posted May 3, 2013 at 09:04 PM Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 at 09:04 PM I have zero issues with my Android Nexus 4. A little disappointing that it won't speak the texts like my Galaxy S3 did, but still works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVE Posted May 3, 2013 at 09:12 PM Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 at 09:12 PM Mr. Fusion, I'll keep looking into it. Could be a matter of which app you use to add Playlists from iTunes vs creating new ones on the device or in Samsung KIES. As you know, Android allows for External memory cards and various folder names for your songs and playlists. I can see various folders for songs, Music, Audio and so on. The bigger issue the S4 does not always connect via USB. I have to toggle in and out USB Developer mode to get it be recognized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Fusion Posted May 3, 2013 at 09:55 PM Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 at 09:55 PM Wouldn't you just connect via Bluetooth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVE Posted May 3, 2013 at 09:58 PM Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 at 09:58 PM Mr. Fusion The Bluetooth lags and not 100% - no cover art .The iPhone USB experience is pretty great. I'll keep working on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Fusion Posted May 3, 2013 at 10:05 PM Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 at 10:05 PM I just fill up a thumb drive and leave it in there. Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaggy314 Posted May 7, 2013 at 04:48 AM Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 at 04:48 AM It maybe because Apple puts updates out regularly and all compatible hardware gets it. With Android, Google puts out updates and it is up to the carrier to put it out and they have little reason to put effort into it. So unless you hack the OS, you could get stuck. Google needs to find a way for all users with fairly recent hardware to update bypassing the carriers like Apple does. http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/android/308966-android-s-biggest-security-threat-os-fragmentation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lokicat Posted May 7, 2013 at 10:22 PM Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 at 10:22 PM I have the new AT&T HTC One and here are results: BT connection - no issues and very easy to setup. Connects within 10 sec of starting the car.Phone - worksPhonebook - works and downloaded my contactsText Messages - works with voice over (best feature imho)Voice Command - works (not impressed with Sync voice. Doesn't support natural language like Siri or Google Now)BT Music streaming - works but plays in order of device music player (if the phone is playing a playlist, the car will play exactly the same)USB connection - charges the phone, but will not index music so not working at all BT Music streaming works well. I can skip ahead or back and the song info displays on the main screen. No album cover art. There is a very slight lag from the controls, but hardly noticeable - about what you would expect from a remote control. In order to change playlist, I have to change on the phone. Since the music is streaming from the phone, no DRM problems. USB stick will not play if the song is downloaded form iTunes or Google Play due to DRM. Sound quality is very good. Some not so great points: -BT volume is lower than HD radio so have to remember to lower before switching to radio-BT input is at the next screen of music input options so need to scroll down to access-BT cannot display music index or play lists-BT song info does not display in right side dash display. Only shows "Bluetooth Streaming"-I can't recharge from the USB port because the Sync system tries to index the music and gets stuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindykop Posted June 5, 2013 at 09:34 PM Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 at 09:34 PM Let me start out by saying as someone in the technology field, overall, I'm very impressed with Ford Sync One of the cool parts of my job is testing new cell phones for our corporate standards list when they come out and jump AT&T sim cards from phone to phone as needed. I've tested the iPhone, 4/4S/5 , HTC 8X Windows Phone, and this week the new Samsung Galaxy S4 in my new Fusion Energi. The only phone that consistently works with the Ford Sync system is the iPhone. The Windows phone was so so, and worst has been the Samsung S4 running Android 4.2.2. The S4 can't use the USB port without getting a USB error most of the time (I've tried various USB modes developer and so on)No music support on USB, No Pandora support on USB, and Bluetooth gets confused on what track it's playing and eventually stops working - same thing on the iPhone. USB has been the most reliable and trouble free for the iPhone. I've also updated the Sync system with the latest build (very cool and easy the way Ford uses a USB key and sends confirmation when your update is complete) I'm puzzled why Ford would not have better support for Android 4.x (Samsung Galaxy S2/S3 and S4 are selling extremely well world wide). It also took several tries to get the address book to download on the S4 (deleting all phones and reconnect) Using this popular Android phone completely makes the Sync entertainment system really limited. My experience with Sync and the iPhone was near perfect. Although, no phone I've tested supports reading text messages. Ford wins hands down with their Sync system but really needs to work closer with Google on better support for Android. No question that any long trips wil require me to take an iPhone with me.. Dave Dave, I am so thankful for your post. I have the Samsung Galaxy 4 and have been EXTREMELY EXTREMELY disappointed with the Sync system, it's useless. I thought it was just me. I cannot believe that Ford can put out this vehicle without supporting the latest Samsung devices. My husband has a Samsung G3 and has the same issues. We are completely disappointed. Ford, can you hear me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lokicat Posted June 5, 2013 at 11:11 PM Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 at 11:11 PM I recently upgraded my HTC One to 4.2.2 and everything works the same as before. I also found out that Pandora streams and also supports track skipping from the Sync controls via BT, but it does not show the track titles. On Pandora, there is an option to enable BT controls for cars. For text messaging voice playback on sync, you have to enable it in phone setup. It's set to a simple alarm by default. Give that a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVE Posted June 5, 2013 at 11:25 PM Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2013 at 11:25 PM Lets just hope that Ford offers a update to Sync to solve the issue, via USB key. I'll keep watching it. DAVE cindykop 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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