Next Gen Ford Infotainment Revealed: Ford Digital Experience

[Sojourner]

So your top issue is speculation someone came up with to rile people up and get clicks?

1. I don't think it's speculation. As others have noted, it's already here. Plus, Ford HQ has made comments about improving revenue streams and introducing subscriptions.

2. So I disagree with the "rile people up and get clicks." Unless you mean "to spread the word to get people to express their disapproval"?

3. Even if it winds up being like Smart TVs where you can turn some of these things off, the "experience" is still hardwired to monitor your choices. I can see Ford collecting data to sell to Spotify or Apple or Google....

In fact, in a recent Ford Authority article Ford's data chief made what she wanted us to see as a commitment to the customer that Ford doesn't sell personal info. But she used a nice loophole word: "primarily."

“When you think of the collection of data and creating a profile on someone, you’re thinking about selling that data to advertise to that person or influence their behavior. But that’s not what we do – we actually don’t sell connected vehicle data, period. Our data collection is used primarily to ensure vehicle performance quality, offer products and services you request, and ensure safety. We want to make sure your vehicle is functioning the way you want it to and that your technician has good diagnostic info when they check your vehicle.”

You could drive a truck through that qualifier.

https://fordauthority.com/2025/08/ford-chief-data-officer-says-company-doesnt-share-data/

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[Boosted6G]

Oh, I can have work conference calls in my truck.

Nope.

 

[ChronciallyChronic]

Oh, I can have work conference calls in my truck.

Nope.

And you can already do that with current tech. Next!

 

[Casenut98]

And you can already do that with current tech. Next!

i already do

 

[chasc]

Video:

I think it's unintentionally revealing that all of the demo video footage happens in a parked car: 70% of the features shown (video games, Prime Video, video conferencing, etc) are the stuff that typically gets blocked once the vehicle is in motion. The other 30% is equivalent features on a different platform (Google Assistant vs. Alexa, Google Maps vs. whatever Sync licenses now). Is "people that spend a lot of time in their parked car" a significant passenger vehicle-buying demographic?

 

[josephp732]

Volvo started implementing Android Automotive in 2018. They had a ton of issues, but now all Volvo's are running Android 15. This is the operating system for the entire car - just like Android is the operating system for a Chrome tablet. All the modules run Android - the ECM, etc. Volvo and the early owners went through a lot of pain - cars would just not start, engines would turn-off - it was crazy. Volvo was pumping out continuous updates.

Today, I have an 2024 XC40 and I really like it. Now I'm an Android guy, Samsung phone, Sony Smart TV's...etc.. The "Android tablet" built into the Volvo's infotainment system enables you to download Android applications and run them in the cars Android Operating system. So, they are running natively and integrated in the car. Instead of running on your phone like Android Auto or Apple Car Play which then interface with the car. Think of the car as one big Android tablet.

If you're into it, it's pretty cool - you have a lot of control of the applications. You download applications like WAZE for navigation and its now an application that is running nativity in the car. I can load high-resolution music on a thumb drive connect it to the car and use a third party music application like Audio Wagon to access the drive, decode the music using the CODEC in Audio Wagon's application, leverage the DSP available in the app (5-band equalizer with multiple presets and customization) and play the music through an interface that I choose. You can run all kinds of weather, news , music and video streaming applications. I have a weather radar application that's awesome for tracking storm fronts in real-time.

For a car manufacture it has to be a huge cost savings having a vehicle run a standardized operating system.

 

[Boosted6G]

And you can already do that with current tech. Next!

Nope. I keep work and life separated. Work wanted to give me a work phone, but I couldn't use it for personal use, but they're okay with me using my personal phone for work stuff. Nope.

Work won't allow me to WFH on Fridays, but expect me to dial into meetings at 10 PM. Nope.

F corporations/companies that expect you to be at their beck and call, like indentured serfs.

 

[YukonRanger]

Only thing in there I liked was the meetings integration

Could use that for work, but again can also just use my iPhone so I dunno

One thing I wish I could do on Sync 4A is put common shortcuts on main screen, thats only change I truly wish I had right now

 

[DirtDerrick]

Ios26 looks pretty good on our trucks. Few new things, or new to me.

 

[jmatthew]

instead of each car manufacturer attempting to create their own software interface, apple and google have inserted themselves into this category.

Manufactures are stating to choose which os they are going to use.
I have seen the apple and the android. both are ok.
But it's better than what car manufactures came up with. So there is that. Just going to be interesting how this unfolds.

 

[Bushmechanic]

1. I don't think it's speculation. As others have noted, it's already here. Plus, Ford HQ has made comments about improving revenue streams and introducing subscriptions.

2. So I disagree with the "rile people up and get clicks." Unless you mean "to spread the word to get people to express their disapproval"?

3. Even if it winds up being like Smart TVs where you can turn some of these things off, the "experience" is still hardwired to monitor your choices. I can see Ford collecting data to sell to Spotify or Apple or Google....

In fact, in a recent Ford Authority article Ford's data chief made what she wanted us to see as a commitment to the customer that Ford doesn't sell personal info. But she used a nice loophole word: "primarily."

“When you think of the collection of data and creating a profile on someone, you’re thinking about selling that data to advertise to that person or influence their behavior. But that’s not what we do – we actually don’t sell connected vehicle data, period. Our data collection is used primarily to ensure vehicle performance quality, offer products and services you request, and ensure safety. We want to make sure your vehicle is functioning the way you want it to and that your technician has good diagnostic info when they check your vehicle.”

You could drive a truck through that qualifier.

https://fordauthority.com/2025/08/ford-chief-data-officer-says-company-doesnt-share-data/

They can say that all they want. It's nonsense.

Once you're in bed with Google, for example, you're not directly "selling" it anymore. The customer is now going through numerous third-party contracts and information sharing. Ford may not ring it up at a cash register, but make no mistake: Your digital soul has already been sold.

Even if Ford's hands were as clean as they suggest, you've still got breaches to worry about; and they're frequent and likely to become even more frequent with the advent of LLM AI. Now those breaches will include everything Ford has on you.

14 billion records were recently stolen from places that knew how to secure them. I don't trust an antique like Ford to protect anything aside from my bones in a collision.

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