Any Sync 4, Android Auto, Sirius XM and Discord experts around?

[bdewey]

Started to make my way through the menus and apps now, have had the car for a mere 24 hours, and have run into 2 things that just flat don't appear to work with Android Auto on my Bronco Sport that have been working for years on my Mazda CX-5. The first is a nice feature of Sirius XM called Tune Mix, which allows me to have multiple channels mix as one, randomly playing from each. After 1.5 hours on the phone with Sirius, and switching my subscription, finally got to a tech who said that Ford does not support this feature, which seems odd.

The other is Discord Voice chat, worked fine playing through Bluetooth on the Mazda, no go here, a quick Google turned up an answer, but not from Ford, that says Ford doesn't support it.

Any ideas on either?

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[bdewey]

Well, just got off the phone with Ford Technical Support. According to them, the Tune Mix feature is only supported on one model, the 2025 Ford Explorer. I asked "Why", the answer was it is a "different system".

Hopefully, issues I find will continue to be mostly minor, it is silly junk like that that truly makes me wonder.

 

[thomasm23]

All 21-24 Bronco Sports are equipped with SYNC 3.4 (current Build is 23188). All 2025 Bronco Sports are equipped with SYNC 4. These are different infotainment systems running on different hardware.

Last year Ford introduced Lincoln Digital Experience in the new Lincoln Nautilus. This is a brand new system and will be introduced in future vehicles. The 2025 Lincoln Aviator and 2025 Lincoln Navigator both are equipped with the Lincoln Digital Experience system.

The 2025 Ford Explorer is the first Ford branded vehicle to come equipped with the Ford Digital Experience system. Future Ford branded vehicles with be adopting this system as they are redesigned. The 2025 Ford Expedition will also be equipped with the Ford Digital Experience system.

These infotainment systems offer different features. The Digital Experience systems offer the latest technology and features.

 

[bdewey]

All 21-24 Bronco Sports are equipped with SYNC 3.4 (current Build is 23188). All 2025 Bronco Sports are equipped with SYNC 4. These are different infotainment systems running on different hardware.

Last year Ford introduced Lincoln Digital Experience in the new Lincoln Nautilus. This is a brand new system and will be introduced in future vehicles. The 2025 Lincoln Aviator and 2025 Lincoln Navigator both are equipped with the Lincoln Digital Experience system.

The 2025 Ford Explorer is the first Ford branded vehicle to come equipped with the Ford Digital Experience system. Future Ford branded vehicles with be adopting this system as they are redesigned. The 2025 Ford Expedition will also be equipped with the Ford Digital Experience system.

These infotainment systems offer different features. The Digital Experience systems offer latest technology and features.

Thanks for the information. Is there somewhere I can find out what the differences are and what the Ford road map is for other platforms? I asked this of the Tech today, and got no answer.

Just seems odd that something this simple would be different.

I will try a google search to see if that turns up anything.

 

[Dude]

There is a wealth of info online about the Ford Digital Experience

Both sync 3.4 and sync 4 are legacy systems

Here’s the basics but you’ll find much more info online

The Ford Digital Experience is a newer, more advanced system that effectively replaces SYNC 4 in newer Ford vehicles, offering a more integrated Android-based experience with Google services like Google Assistant and Google Maps, while still retaining some familiar SYNC features and functionality; essentially, it's a significant evolution from the previous SYNC 4 (and of course Sync 3.4) platform.

Key points to know:

Android integration:

The Digital Experience is built on the Android Automotive platform, providing access to a wider range of apps and a more familiar interface for many users compared to SYNC 4.

Google services:
Features like Google Assistant and Google Maps are seamlessly integrated into the Digital Experience.

Improved performance:
The new system is expected to have better processing power and faster response times compared to SYNC 4.

Not a direct upgrade:
While some vehicles may still have SYNC 4, newer Ford models are transitioning to the Ford Digital Experience.

More information here: https://www.ford.com/technology/ford-digital-experience/

 

[Dude]

Btw … without replacing hardware and often many other components, there no upgrade path from Sync 3.4 to Sync 4 and very likely Sync 4 vehicles like the 2025 Bronco Sport there would be no upgrade path from Sync 4 to the Ford Digital Experience.

 

[bdewey]

Btw … without replacing hardware and often many other components, there no upgrade path from Sync 3.4 to Sync 4 and very likely Sync 4 vehicles like the 2025 Bronco Sport there would be no upgrade path from Sync 4 to the Ford Digital Experience.

Thanks, I was just about to reply with what I found, which is basically exactly what you posted LOL.

It will be interesting to see if they do offer any updates, I saw a post from somewhere last year that said a Portrait orientation was needed, and then looking at a Ford image it shows a screen like the one I have on the new Bronco. What a surprise that there might be comflictin information on the 'Net, eh?

Saw another, I think on the Ranger Forum, that seemed to say it needed screens like in the Kia which are far wider.

My problem is that after 50+ years of developing software I find silly bits to be obnoxiously annoying, and this is as much Sirius XM as Ford and Android/Google.

Glad i have alternatives.

 

[thomasm23]

SYNC 4 vs SYNC 4A

SYNC 4 screens are in landscape orientation. SYNC 4A screens are in portrait orientation.

Mach E and Lightning vehicles are equipped with SYNC 4A. Late model Edge and Nautilus models were also equipped with SYNC 4A.

 

[bdewey]

SYNC 4 vs SYNC 4A

SYNC 4 screens are in landscape orientation. SYNC 4A screens are in portrait orientation.

Mach E and Lightning vehicles are equipped with SYNC 4A. Late model Edge and Nautilus models were also equipped with SYNC 4A.

AHA! I wondered what the difference was, a lot to learn about the new fords !

We are now a 2 Ford family, my wife has a bright yellow Focus, from 2006 LOL

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