WHY all this complexity?

[Utopia Texas]

Not trying to be the grammar police here, but I have never known anybody with the name "Loiusa"....perhaps you mean "Louisa"?
I am sure your voice command might be confused with the name you quoted.

You are correct. My fat fingers spelled Louisa wrong......

 

[Utopia Texas]

Just imagine when they start putting voice command into tractors!
Me......"Tractor, Mow field"
Tractor........"Sorry, I'm too tired today. Try again tomorrow"

 

[Pete6114]

Well...i'm in my mid-60's and have no issues with my F150's infosystem. Pairing both our phones was easy as can be. I suspect they didnt read the manual.

 

[davesl708]

The thing to remember is the computers on board record everything you do with the vehicle. The information can and will be used against you. If you use the phone features the information can be captured. Just like OnStar knows where you are at all times and can control your vehicle.

Even back in 2003 the data collected was outrageous. I took my Blazer to the dealer to get a fan fixed under warranty. I noticed the tech hook a machine to my computer. I asked him what he was doing and he told me he was downloading my driving data. i.e. how long I drove in 4wd and for how long, top speed and where the vehicle had been. He told me they collect all data on all cars and trucks that come in.

I think my next new car will be a 95 Bonneville. I loved that car and it had none of this stuff to fail.

My Suburban is so automated I have nothing but electrical problems.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The thing to remember is the computers on board record everything you do with the vehicle. The information can and will be used against you. If you use the phone features the information can be captured. Just like OnStar knows where you are at all times and can control your vehicle. Even back in 2003 the data collected was outrageous. I took my Blazer to the dealer to get a fan fixed under warranty. I noticed the tech hook a machine to my computer. I asked him what he was doing and he told me he was downloading my driving data. i.e. how long I drove in 4wd and for how long, top speed and where the vehicle had been. He told me they collect all data on all cars and trucks that come in. I think my next new car will be a 95 Bonneville. I loved that car and it had none of this stuff to fail. My Suburban is so automated I have nothing but electrical problems.

It's not just cars. We do the same with boats and airplanes.

Even if you decide to drive a Model T they can get the same data via your cell phone.

We are all being watched!

Chris

 

[JDgreen227]

I have a 2013 F150 and its my opinion that the Ford info/nav/radio units are pretty much garbage for anything other than playing the radio.

The iOS/Android App is required for their version of "navigation" but it's been broken since launch. The word on the streets is only 1 in 10 people can log into it.... No plans on Ford's end to fix that I can find. The Voice commands are wonky, and not all that intuitive to me. Most times I spend more time getting pissed at the voice in the dash than it would have taken to just reach over and press whatever button needs to be pressed.

I'm the IT manager for my company, so i have pretty good handle on stuff like this. I think Ford just missed the mark on the fit/finish of this system's software. Compared to the system in my wife's older Nissan, this thing is a joke.

I just want to add that I love my truck.... just dislike the information system. So before any Ford lovers bash me... this is all my opinion. The radio system works, and to me that's what's important. Fortunately i don't use any of the nav/information features, so to me all this is really a non-issue.

On a side note, I do love the tow/truck info system built into the gauge cluster. Just enough stuff to play with, but not so much that it's a distraction.... and relatively easy to navigate/manipulate.

-J

My brother has the same issues with his F150 infosystem that you mention. However, I did read this morning that Ford is ending it's 8-year relationship with Microsoft and switching over to QNX...(pronounced cue-nix) which is a Research In Motion (nee Blackberry) OS, yes...the famous and near failed smartphone company. The advantage QNX supposedly has is that it will work with Apple and Google's in-car systems, Carplay and Android Auto.

 

[paulharvey]

I drive a 2014 ram at work. It has fairly basic set up. Has power windows, automatic, turn know 4wd, and a radio. If you want, you hit a button to get fuel range and milage, but if you dont, it works fine.

Few luxuries I like;
I like an automatic, hard to text/play on phone/read TBN will up shifting a stick; or eat/drink and shift...

Power windows, or at least on passenger side; it's a pain to lean over and crank down passenger window

Cruise control; nice when you drive 400 miles a day.

Push button or at least no hubs to lock in on 4wd



Luxaries I don't need or activity dislike:
Power seats.... I hate power seats; my personal vehicle and wife's both have power seats, so much more annoying and slower than grabbing a lever and setting the seat how you want.

No door key other than on drivers side; when you want to grab something off passenger seat, and have to walk to drivers to unlock.... those stupid remotes don't like to get wet

Heated mirrors/seats/tailgates (on the F150s so your hands stay warm pushing it home

Gps/nav; why include in vehicle when your phone does it better?

Onstar.

XM radio... comes free to start with, but really not needed; and no way I would pay for subscription

 

[Utopia Texas]

I know this is a bit off topic but.......I also get slightly agrivated that newer vehicles are dropping CD players and instead adding multiple plugs in the center console for IPods, IPads, memory sticks and Bluetooth stuff. Younger folks may download music from the Internet and then bind it with the automobile some way but it is all magic to me. My wife and I have a sizable CD collection that looks to be obsolete for automotive use in the near future. I do though really like satellite radio without all the commercials and get to listen to Sinatra hours on end!

 

[JDgreen227]

Hey paulharvey....you live in Florida so don't begrudge us northern dwellers who NEED the kick in the rear from a heated posterior to motivate us to go places in mid winter....:laughing: BTW, I agree with your gripe about not having a key slot in the front passenger door.

 

[paulharvey]

I know this is a bit off topic but.......I also get slightly agrivated that newer vehicles are dropping CD players and instead adding multiple plugs in the center console for IPods, IPads, memory sticks and Bluetooth stuff. Younger folks may download music from the Internet and then bind it with the automobile some way but it is all magic to me. My wife and I have a sizable CD collection that looks to be obsolete for automotive use in the near future. I do though really like satellite radio without all the commercials and get to listen to Sinatra hours on end!

Work truck came with XM radio free for 1st year, and I listen to too much talk radio and/or news and get mad, or they replay same songs way too much.

I do like having 2 or 3 12v outlets. I can plug laptop in an inverter and have 1 or both cell phones charging.

I drive a 2002 Toyota highlander for personal use, and in general I dislike having 4 levers on my steering wheel, plus a middle shifter.

The 2014 ram seems to have a pretty simple cockpit compared.