Just updated to Sync 3.4 on my Ranger 2019

[treimche]

Added the climate screen back in via FORSCAN today too. Works like a charm now.

So, besides the obvious visual update in 3.4, what else has changed? Is there anything significant? It sure looks nice but is that all it is?

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[VegasP11]

Added the climate screen back in via FORSCAN today too. Works like a charm now.

So, besides the obvious visual update in 3.4, what else has changed? Is there anything significant? It sure looks nice but is that all it is?

I am not sure if this 3.4 update had anything to do with it but I can say the voice controls are vastly improved. I had to drive from Topeka to KCMO today for my son's surgery at Children's Mercy Hospital and although I had been there 3 times already I still like to set the Nav for the trip. Using voice commands I just said "destination" then "POI" and finally "Children's Mercy KC" and it worked flawlessly. After I left the hospital I did the same for our hotel and again it was flawless.
Previously I would always have to manually enter the physical address but voice commands were spot on and so much faster than before. For that reason it was worth it for me.

 

[GT5050]

Added the climate screen back in via FORSCAN today too. Works like a charm now.

So, besides the obvious visual update in 3.4, what else has changed? Is there anything significant? It sure looks nice but is that all it is?

For one, it should be a bit more responsive. Voice commands should be improved. Also, if you use AppLink with an iPhone, previously you had to plug in to use any app, with 3.4 applink can be used via Bluetooth with iPhone (always could with Android) - with the exception of Waze which still has to be plugged in.

 

[Geoff]

I am not sure if this 3.4 update had anything to do with it but I can say the voice controls are vastly improved. I had to drive from Topeka to KCMO today for my son's surgery at Children's Mercy Hospital and although I had been there 3 times already I still like to set the Nav for the trip. Using voice commands I just said "destination" then "POI" and finally "Children's Mercy KC" and it worked flawlessly. After I left the hospital I did the same for our hotel and again it was flawless.
Previously I would always have to manually enter the physical address but voice commands were spot on and so much faster than before. For that reason it was worth it for me.

Yes - thanks to UofMEngineer for his work in this area. Much improved since my 2016 Fusion (I gave up using VR with that version).

 

[Steve131]

For one, it should be a bit more responsive. Voice commands should be improved. Also, if you use AppLink with an iPhone, previously you had to plug in to use any app, with 3.4 applink can be used via Bluetooth with iPhone (always could with Android) - with the exception of Waze which still has to be plugged in.

Are you saying that Carplay is now wireless? I didnt think it gave us that functionality.

 

[VAMike]

Are you saying that Carplay is now wireless? I didnt think it gave us that functionality.

Certain apps (e.g., Pandora) worked on Android without Android Auto, via Bluetooth rather than the USB cable. Sounds like you can do the same on an iThing now.

 

[UofMEngineer]

I am not sure if this 3.4 update had anything to do with it but I can say the voice controls are vastly improved. I had to drive from Topeka to KCMO today for my son's surgery at Children's Mercy Hospital and although I had been there 3 times already I still like to set the Nav for the trip. Using voice commands I just said "destination" then "POI" and finally "Children's Mercy KC" and it worked flawlessly. After I left the hospital I did the same for our hotel and again it was flawless.
Previously I would always have to manually enter the physical address but voice commands were spot on and so much faster than before. For that reason it was worth it for me.

Yeah, v3.3 -> v3.4, especially with updated maps, is quite different under the hood. Nav generally gets some form of tweaks every release given it's the most complex domain. FYI, you don't need to dive into that destination menu first, you can just say "Destination POI" if that's the lingo you're comfortable with.

 

[GT5050]

Are you saying that Carplay is now wireless? I didnt think it gave us that functionality.

No, not when you’re running Apple CarPlay. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have to be tethered.
But when you have Apple CarPlay turned off, and you are using the native Sync screen, apps (besides Waze) are now Wireless. Apps like Pandora, stitcher, iheartradio, etc...

 

[UofMEngineer]

No, not when you’re running Apple CarPlay. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have to be tethered.
But when you have Apple CarPlay turned off, and you are using the native Sync screen, apps (besides Waze) are now Wireless. Apps like Pandora, stitcher, iheartradio, etc...

Yep, the iOS AppLink music apps, etc. (not Nav like Waze) work over Bluetooth now like they had with Android. Same restriction that the app needs to be running on the phone for it to register with SYNC applies.

 

[sbacpo]

I'm not sure how I managed it but I did the 3.3 to 3.4 upgrade and my screen is now blank. I shut the truck off, pulled the drive, restarted and the screen is blank.

Any ideas?

 

[UofMEngineer]

I'm not sure how I managed it but I did the 3.3 to 3.4 upgrade and my screen is now blank. I shut the truck off, pulled the drive, restarted and the screen is blank.

Any ideas?

Have you let it sit off for about 5 minutes prior to starting up again? That's trigger a cold vs warm reboot.

 

[sbacpo]

Have you let it sit off for about 5 minutes prior to starting up again? That's trigger a cold vs warm reboot.

Yes, I did. I just did a "soft" reset (power & fwd buttons). That seems to have brought it back to life. I think it finished the Sync update (shows 3.4). Climate is still there. No favorites, previous or Home destinations in Nav. Radio presets are still there.

 

[sbacpo]

I'm running the update again. Hopefully it will be clean.

Is the NA 119 update seperate?

 

[rpeterson53]

Have you let it sit off for about 5 minutes prior to starting up again? That's trigger a cold vs warm reboot.

Is this upgrade to 3.4 worth doing ? I have 3.3 with FORScan ability to modify a configuration. I just can’t believe what I read about the experiences on this upgrade. My other vehicles allow updating the software without running the engine, just having the car powered and having a power source powering the car. Mazda map updates are on an SD card cones on the computer. I just can’t believe Ford can’t get this right after all the grief reported here.

What changes will I note going to 3.4 ?

 

[Geoff]

Is this upgrade to 3.4 worth doing ? I have 3.3 with FORScan ability to modify a configuration. I just can’t believe what I read about the experiences on this upgrade. My other vehicles allow updating the software without running the engine, just having the car powered and having a power source powering the car. Mazda map updates are on an SD card cones on the computer. I just can’t believe Ford can’t get this right after all the grief reported here.

What changes will I note going to 3.4 ?

Speed
It's slower to load but faster in use.
Improved VR.
The GUI is a bit different but overall I think there were notable improvements and I'm happy I updated to 3.4.

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