Ford Digital Experience infotainment system announced - first look

[Newton]

How about giving us better mapping, a somewhat acurate range estimation and information that is useful to EV owners.

It was a great day when I got the update that showed me the battery percentage on the dashboard. I’d like to see instant miles/kWh (on a graph) and the current kW being accepted during charging. It would be nice to have a screen like my li-Ion battery provides (in their app) that shows information about individual cells. I know the tech nerd stuff is not for everybody but not having access to very basic information really makes the truck feel outdated compared to the Rivian or Tesla. It is pretty silly that I have to get an OBDII dongle and app to see anything halfway useful.

Sponsored

 

[Newton]

It looks like they are continuing the design of having a screen full of “charms” (icons) which I think is is a poor choice for an in-vehicle system. I really dislike the fact that I have to scan through a screen full of little symbols to bring up the map - especially as some of the symbols change on update and some of them reference apps that don’t work. That sort of design is a minor annoyance on a PC, but a much bigger deal when driving a ton of truck at 70 mph.

 

[watts/up]

I can['t] speak for Apple Car play but Android Auto def not going no where, it looks like the whole system is powered by Google!!!!

If you're referring to GM's system, powered by Google is not the same as Android Auto. Unfortunately, their new EVs, with the exception of just a few select models/trims, do not support AA or CarPlay.

 

[Jackdforme]

It looks like they are continuing the design of having a screen full of “charms” (icons) which I think is is a poor choice for an in-vehicle system. I really dislike the fact that I have to scan through a screen full of little symbols to bring up the map - especially as some of the symbols change on update and some of them reference apps that don’t work. That sort of design is a minor annoyance on a PC, but a much bigger deal when driving a ton of truck at 70 mph.

I much prefer how Tesla and BMW do it. They all think it’s about providing a landing target for your finger while driving but the truth is that in practice it’s harder to do.

 

[meow]

Believe only the lower specs have it.

If you're referring to GM's system, powered by Google is not the same as Android Auto. Unfortunately, their new EVs, with the exception of just a few select models/trims, do not support AA or CarPlay.

Delineation is ICE/EV. ICE vehicles get CarPlay/AA, EVs do not.

 

[PJnc284]

Delineation is ICE/EV. ICE vehicles get CarPlay/AA, EVs do not.

If I'm not mistaken, the wt model had Carplay/Android Auto

 

[meow]

If I'm not mistaken, the wt model had Carplay/Android Auto

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/0...k-truck-loses-apple-carplay-and-android-auto/

Had, for sure.

 

[PJnc284]

totally missed that they had changed it

 

[watts/up]

It's not like AA or CarPlay in some way affected the functionality or usability of the truck's infotainment system. They're literally taking them away for the sake of user metrics. It's shameful.

 

[watts/up]

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/0...k-truck-loses-apple-carplay-and-android-auto/

Had, for sure.

Apparently, as of now, GM's EVs outside the US still get AA and CarPlay.

 

[RocketGhost]

I've always thought, and wonder if it's true, that Carplay functionality requires certain limitations on the vehicle system's design, and not having to accommodate it gives automakers more flexibility in how they design and develop the systems, both on the backend and the user interface. I suspect this is the real reason you're not seeing Carplay on Tesla/Rivian/GM EVs, not that they just don't think you'll need it. If it makes no difference to them there's no reason not to, people do make buying decisions based on it's availability. Maybe's there's also licensing fees to Apple?

 

[watts/up]

CarPlay is completely free from the standpoint of the vehicle manufacturer. Remember, it runs on the user's phone, not the vehicle. There are specific hardware requirements that need to be met though which I presume are screen sizes, etc., but, if it currently works in the Google-provided infotainment system then presumably it's not a heavy lift to keep the integration.

I give Tesla and Rivian a pass because they have never included AA or CarPlay. I think it's short-sighted but their systems were built from the ground-up to not include either.

 

[Lightningwaiter]

I have a $1,000 phone that gets updates and revisions for six years. In contrast, I bought a $80,000 truck that’s still under warranty, and its operating system doesn’t even keep up with the changes.

 

[RocketGhost]

CarPlay is completely free from the standpoint of the vehicle manufacturer. Remember, it runs on the user's phone, not the vehicle. There are specific hardware requirements that need to be met though which I presume are screen sizes, etc., but, if it currently works in the Google-provided infotainment system then presumably it's not a heavy lift to keep the integration.

I give Tesla and Rivian a pass because they have never included AA or CarPlay. I think it's short-sighted but their systems were built from the ground-up to not include either.

I just read and article that gives another explanation why carmakers don't always want to include Carplay. When they offer it they basically have to guarantee that it continues to work for the life of the vehicle (since it was a feature you paid for as part of the price of the car) even as Apple updates phone software. Carmakers have to continuously test and make sure it works with every iPhone and vehicle software update. I know with the Bronco there is a TSB that requires a dealer visit to update the software to fix Carplay issues (which we will have to have done since Carplay is intermittent on our Bronco).

I'm sure automakers have to strike a balance between customer demand for it and not having to fool with it and having more design flexibility.

 

[Jackdforme]

I just read and article that gives another explanation why carmakers don't always want to include Carplay. When they offer it they basically have to guarantee that it continues to work for the life of the vehicle (since it was a feature you paid for as part of the price of the car) even as Apple updates phone software. Carmakers have to continuously test and make sure it works with every iPhone and vehicle software update. I know with the Bronco there is a TSB that requires a dealer visit to update the software to fix Carplay issues (which we will have to have done since Carplay is intermittent on our Bronco).

I'm sure automakers have to strike a balance between customer demand for it and not having to fool with it and having more design flexibility.

So much simpler than that. Its brand identity and selling the crap out of your data.

Sponsored