I'm surprised so many folks didn't realize this is how all connected voice systems work. Some vehicle OEMs had it set up (maybe still do) that a failed command went to a human being to be transcribed and sent back to the system. Ford added the ability to send in failed commands along with the...
Side note. If you want to "speed up" the SYNC side, turn on Advanced Mode in Settings -> Voice. Gets rid of the "Please say a command" prompt and shortens or eliminates others.
If nothing happens at all, you likely have the files on the drive incorrectly. The MSA and autoinstall files need to be at the root level, along with the SyncMyRide folder. The individual packages are inside that folder.
I believe even XL 100A has the embedded modem for hotspot as well as FordPass. Have you tried to link to the VIN via the FordPass app to get it set up?
Couple options. If you've got it set up to send the messages to SYNC (Show Notifications option on on the Bluetooth settings), you can press the talk switch as say "Listen to Message", I think you can trigger a read with the OK knob (someone call me out if I'm wrong, it's been a while on a 4"...
The music apps like Pandora should work (iPhone must be plugged in to USB, apps actively running in foreground or background on the phone) if I remember correctly. SMS also should work, assuming you have enabled the "Show Notifications" option on the Bluetooth settings. It's been quite a while...
NA vehicles have the 30 minute on time in accessory mode. Typically these updates are small enough that they complete in under that time. No need to waste gas idling.
Program choice to have it in both places. Some prefer hard buttons, some soft buttons on screen. I guess they decided to offer both in this case. And yep, Forscan will do it if you don't want them on screen.
If you do a quick off/on, it'll be a warm boot so the new data won't take. That's why they have you wait ~3 minutes to give everything time to fully shut down. Just FYI.
Does it say you have 19052 on the About page? That pop-up was totally removed, so if you're still seeing it (and not the one Murphie is referencing), then I'd say you still need to update.
This one seems like a bug most likely. I was seeing this one on v3.3 from time to time, but I don't...
That's the updated 4" system known as SYNC 3 Lite. It's based off of SYNC 3, but has it's own unique items like the HMI being non-touch, I think it uses a LIN interface, etc. Some things are basically identical, like VR for example.