Ford Premium Connectivity

[Bonder]

I received an email earlier this week from Ford saying that the my trial of Premium Connectivity had expired. I followed the link the page to see what it was and found this:

Complimentary Trial Details
Based on your vehicle's model year (MY), you will be enrolled in a complimentary trial of Ford Premium Connectivity that begins on your warranty start date:

• 2021-2023 MY: 30-day trial period
• 2024-2025 MY: 1-year trial period

To start using your complimentary trial, ensure your FordPass and Alexa Built-In is enabled by following the Alexa Built-In setup instructions.

Note: To take full advantage of all the features the Ford Digital Experience offers, you will need an activated FordPass Connect modem, Google Account Sign-in, and Ford Premium Connectivity or Wi-Fi connection††.


https://www.ford.ca/support/how-tos...s/what-is-ford-streaming-and-how-do-i-use-it/


Figured I would follow up with Ford to see what was up since their site said it should have been 1 year. After 2 agents I was told only certain trims get the 1 year trial. I asked witch ranger trim was required for it and was told 'none'.

Neither agent seemed to care that their own documents said it should be a 1 year trial, it was just a too bad kind of response.

This is more of a vent then anything, not sure how much usage I would have got from it, or if it is of any value, but now I won't know and am not about to subscribe on a whim to find out.

So a warning for if you are in Canada and want to see what it is, don't wait to start trying it out. USA might be a different policy.

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[Rapture2423]

Mine expired too. You're losing Amazon Alexa basically. Big whoop.

 

[Crapblaster]

Mine only lasted 1 month. I don't use it in either of our trucks so, i didn't need it.

 

[Bonder]

Mine expired too. You're losing Amazon Alexa basically. Big whoop.

If that is all it is that's fine, I have the Google Assistant via my phone if I really need it.

I still think it sucks that they advertise 1yr, but don't honor it.

 

[Cyrusblack]

Like the others - I don’t need anyone monitoring me for anything at anytime.

 

[wlarsen76]

Hoping to receive a little clarity -- I can't seem to find a clear answer.
My Ford Premium Connectivity trial just ran out.
Of course, I became quite fond of using Alexa via a wake work. It seems built-in Alexa used the Ford Premium Connectivity only. At least I cannot get it to work with my Samsung Galaxy 23.

I signed out from the Ford console and tried to just use my Alexa app on my android phone. It works, but only when the Alexa app is "up" on the phone. It doesn't work at any other time. I'm beginning to think that Android doesn't allow the Alexa app to be listening like Google Assistant.

Is there any way to tie Ford's built-in Alexa to go through my phone instead of Ford Connectivity?

My next stop is to try Google Assistant.

I primarily just want to execute voice commands to play Spotify playlists and make phone calls. I use Android Auto for Waze since I prefer that for navigation.

Thoughts?

 

[wlarsen76]

[UPDATE]
Playing with the Google Assistant -- I actually like it better -- though it doesn't recognize my voice as well as Alexa did. I can hold the button on the steering wheel which is awesome.

[UPDATE 2]
Okay, so yea... Without paying for the premium Ford connectivity...

Google Assistant will work well with internet connected functionality (ie Waze, Spotify, etc) and I can use both the button on the steering wheel and the "Hey Google" wake word.

Alexa will work well with non-internet functionality (ie "Set temperature to 70", "Open Radio").

I'm happy with that, though I am completely open to any further tips/tricks.

Thanks!

 

[mike burton]

I’m not young, so maybe that is my biggest problem. Just a couple weeks in to ownership of a Ranger Lariat. I am used to using CarPlay and that seems to work really well in the new Ford. I am subscribed to Amazon Unlimited music so I thought I would try that out. When I access it through CarPlay it is really good. But I did pay the monthly fee for Ford Premium Connected Service that suggests I will get Amazon Alexa, Amazon Streaming content including music, podcasts, news alerts etc….. Frankly it sucks, at least for me. If I am doing things incorrectly, I need your help. If I am doing things correctly, this service is a waste of money. It appears, outside of CarPlay, the only access to Amazon music is through Alexa? There is no screen that gives me a “radio-like” interface where I can see a variety of playlists, list of podcasts? Nothing. So if I want to play music from Amazon, I have to ask Alexa to play something…. When I don’t really know what options I have. If I have a specific playlist and can remember exactly what I called it, that will work, but if I am the mood to listen to “X” kind of music, I just have to keep on asking Alexa to play something.. until I hear something I like.

Does anybody have any insight into whether there is a better interface with Amazon on Sync 4 on 2024 Ranger? Bottom line is, access to Amazon music is WAYYY better out of the box on CarPlay and it is free with my telephone data. I cannot find a way to justify the monthly fee for what I appear to be getting

 

[Muffin1]

Mine too lasted 30 days, i renewed for $10 monthly I'll keep it for a month or two to see if i use it enough to be a value, if not I'll cancel.

 

[Bonder]

Alexa will work well with non-internet functionality (ie "Set temperature to 70", "Open Radio").

How are you triggering Alexa? My steering wheel button is short press SYNC, long press Google Assistant.

Whenever I ask sync to set the climate controls, she just errors out.

 

[wlarsen76]

How are you triggering Alexa? My steering wheel button is short press SYNC, long press Google Assistant.

Whenever I ask sync to set the climate controls, she just errors out.

It was through Android Auto/Phone - Very limited functionality

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