Ford Sync 4 lets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto users cut the cord

By Stephen Edelstein October 30, 2019

Image used with permission by copyright holder

After a rocky start with its early infotainment systems, Ford hit the sweet spot with Sync 3. The system went on to be used across the Blue Oval’s lineup, from the Mustang to the Lincoln Aviator. But even good tech can’t last forever. Ford claims its new Sync 4 infotainment system has twice the computing power of Sync 3, as well as many more features.

The overhaul starts with new graphics, which are keyed to the different touchscreens used in various Ford vehicles. That addresses an issue with Sync 3, as the old system’s graphics were a bit plain, and the interface looked the same whether you were in an entry-level Ford or a $100,000 Lincoln Navigator. A split-screen setup will now be used on 12-inch touchscreens, while Ford’s largest screen — measuring 15.5 inches — will get “adaptive dash cards” that serve as shortcuts to frequently used functions. That will allow drivers to, for example, pause or skip songs without having to open the menu for their music player, according to Ford.

Recommended Videos

As with Sync 3, Sync 4 will feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as Waze and Amazon Alexa integration. However, Sync 4 will let drivers access these features wirelessly, using either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Wireless phone charging will be available as well. Sync 4 also includes SiriusXM with 360L, the satellite radio company’s on-demand feature.

A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot carries over from Sync 3, but Sync 4 uses it to do more than just provide connectivity to devices. The navigation system now relies on internet connectivity for map updates, while the voice recognition system uses cloud-based processing in order to recognize more natural speech. Sync 4 “will rely heavily on the cloud,” but will still have plenty of onboard processing power for signal dead zones, according to Ford. The system will also be able to learn driver’s preferences over time, Ford claims.

Sync 4 will launch in certain Ford vehicles next year, but Ford wouldn’t specify which vehicles will get the system first. Ford will roll out over-the-air (OTA) software updates next year as well. Pioneered by Tesla, this allows companies to make fixes and add new features while a car is parked in its owner’s driveway.

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Ram 1500 REV vs. Tesla Cybertruck: premium trucks battle it out

Tesla's Cybertruck.

The Tesla Cybertruck has been consistently making headlines in the electric truck world, not just for its outlandish design, but also for its numerous recalls. Thankfully, it's been a while since the last recall, and the Cybertruck could finally be on the road to success. But there's another electric truck on the way in the form of the first Ram electric pickup truck. The Ram 1500 REV is set to be one of the best electric trucks out there, and it could prove an excellent alternative to the Cybertruck for those who don't want something quite as flashy.

These two trucks actually compete quite closely, but is one better than the other? Here's a look.
Design
Design is probably the area where the Ram 1500 REV and Tesla Cybertruck are most different. That would be true of any truck that goes up against the Cybertruck, though. Its design is unlike anything else on the roads, thanks to its angular metal build. True to its name, it looks more like something you might find on Mars than parked at your local grocery store. To put it mildly, the Cybertruck's look is polarizing. Personally, it's not my favorite, but you might have a different view.

Cars

Best dash cam deals: Protect your ride from just $32

Rexing V1 dash cam

If you tend to drive a lot, then you'll know that there is always a slight chance of getting into an accident, even if it's a minor fender bender. That's why it's always a good idea to have some kind of protection in the form of a dash cam so that you can record things that are happening in front of you and even behind you when you're driving. Luckily, dash cams have come a long way, and you don't need to buy the best dash cams anymore to get something with relatively solid video quality and features. Even so, we've gone out and collected some of the best deals we could find, from the budget-friendly to the truly high-end.

Also, if you're worried about things like theft when you're at home, you may want to consider grabbing one of these security camera deals to get a little bit more overview of your driveway and car.
70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S -- $32, was $50

Cars

A plug-in hybrid upgrade makes the Bentley Continental GT Speed even better

2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed front quarter view.

Every car brand is navigating a course to an electrified future, but that brings unique challenges if you have to convince wealthy people to buy a car with a plug due to something as pedestrian as emissions standards.

Bentley has sold plug-in hybrids for a few years now, but the century-old British automaker is now shifting that effort into a higher gear. The 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed (and its GTC Speed convertible sibling) isn’t just an addition to the lineup; it replaces the non-hybrid GT Speed as the sportiest regular production version of Bentley’s signature model.