Text Messaging - iPhone Integration with Ford Sync

Thanks Tim. That was helpful information.

I agree that all this info should be at the dealer and come with the car but I just bought a new Ford and they don't offer any of that helpful information you mention. Sometimes I think they don't want you to know. It may be the Dealer is just ignorant themselves. The only thing available as far as I know is on the website for which you posted a link. Compatability charts have also changed and I know they used to have one that listed the iphone as supporting more features than the current chart so I don't blame people for being confused.

Since you are an experienced iPhone user I'd like to ask how you like Siri on the 4S? I own the iPhone 4 so I have never used Siri. Is there anyway Siri can be used at all in conjuction with bluetooth devices? Is is possible to talk to Siri using Sync or any other bluetooth device or car kit to your knowledge? Thanks

I find I don't use it often, but when I do it's very nice to have. Things like creating reminders, or dictating a text message when I don't want to type it out (or can't because my contacts haven't settled in yet). It works well with both my Jawbone Icon headset and the hands-free system in my car, though I have to hold down the button on the phone to initiate it as the in car system can't start her up.

My System is built by Harmon/Becker, Harmon Karmon and even though they go in Ferrari's etc etc and they make the money, it wouldn't make since for them to have to test their product on 100's if not thousands of the product that should have already had it in the bluetooth profile which isn't a new tech because there are tons of phones older then the 2007 premier of the IPhone that work seamlessly. when it should be that the product that needs to be able to work with a much more expensive piece of equipment and they narrows it down to one company only having to match up with a handful instead of the company that's making a product that has the ability to work with 100's of other companies.....Makes Perfect sense......but they don't like to mix brands....IPhone/contact=$199.........Infotainment System/monthly traffic and Satellite, weather, movie showings etc etc etc=$3000.00 plus....now who should be flexible??? Plus All our system use GraceNote for Music Organization and So does Itunes/Apple and other phones...GraceNote was Bought by Sony and is the Leader, Microsoft media player doesn't use gracenote, apple does soley but Ford's system does have Microsoft running it!!!!!

Tim,

Siri sounds nice. I can dream about it for my next phone after my contract runs out.

What kind of car kit do you use in your car if you don't mind my asking? Is it a built in OEM kit similar to the Sync in Ford cars or is it an aftermarket device? I have been looking for something for my older non-Sync enabled vehicle but haven't found anything really reliable yet.

Just the stock system in a 2011 Kia Optima (non-nav system). Also works perfectly with the stock system in my wife's 2010 Kia Soul. They both have noise canceling mics in the headliner. I've found that's critical. A mic in the head unit itself picks up too much background noise.

I don't have Siri but my iPhone 4 has Voice Dialing so I tried it out with Sync.

I held in the iPhone Menu button until Voice Dial was activated and Sync muted the radio station and allow me to Voice Dial the call using the Sync Mic. It worked just fine so in theory you could communicate with Siri after activating on the iPhone and communicate with it through Sync. Has anyone used Siri through Sync?

Thanks Tim for the information. I'm glad we turned this into a positive and informative discussion.

.

SirCody wrote:

The IPad etc needs another device (a computer) to get them up and running for the first time.

This is false. No iOS device has required a computer for setup since version 5.0 came out. Every new iOS device now boots into setup, where you can setup as new, or restore from an iCloud backup (available for free).

MAP is a relatively new bluetooth protocol, so it's not surprising that Apple hasn't included it. I'd be surprised if that didn't change in the future... maybe we'll see that in June at WWDC. Also, according to the data provided above, the iPhone (AT&T version, anyway) does have one feature advantage over Android devices: it's the only Ford-tested device that can tether with the car.

Here is a link to a video I found showing the use of SIRI with Sync and also sending a Text message by Voice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7buYBw9HZDI&feature=channel

Matthew Judy wrote:

MAP is a relatively new bluetooth protocol, so it's not surprising that Apple hasn't included it.

Three years since it was agreed, which is a long time in iPhone development - I'd have expected to see it in there now if Apple were interested in doing it.

I have 2009 Focus. I've had an LG, Samsung, Droid and Blackberry that all worked fine with my sync system. It's just the iphone that doesn't! I came here to see if anyone has a clue why. As far as those preaching about not texting while driving, that's fine. But you do realize that just because you may be texting doesn't necessarily mean you are driving! When someone else is driving my car and I am the passenger, I would still like to be alerted of my text messages! So can we just drop the whole "no texting while driving" issue and get back to the real problem here?

caligirlinazthe problem as I can tell from several previous posts on this site is that the function of interest require MAP bluetooth protocol. Look back at some of the exchanges. Your other phones have it, the iphone does not. such is life. I would suggest you email your opinion on this to www.apple.com/support. I have done that and if a few million other ford, mercedes, toyota, etc owners do it they just might upgrade. evidently apple does not monitor these support group conversations for some strange reason - perhaps they cannot afford it... 🙂

I did email apple and I just got off the phone with apple support. They had me reset my iphone and get in the car while I had them on the phone. We did a test text and suddenly the sound was back. However as soon as I hung up the phone, I tried it again and no sound. So it seemed to only work while I was on a call. I will be contacting them again :/

Hi folks. Just wanted to say thanks for all your input and research on this issue. I have a 2011 Edge and a LG Windows Phone 7, and the texting feature works quite well. I use it all the time. I get a new message, then Sync reads it to me, then I can speak a reply, then Sync sends it - all without me removing my hands from the wheel - not even buttons are needed. Brilliant. For those safety nuts out there, it's no worse than speaking to a passenger.

However, due to a new job, I need to get a new smart-phone tomorrow, but WP7 is not one of the options. So I am trying to decide between iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S-II. I was originally leaning towards iPhone 4, but now with this topic, I am going to go with the Samsung instead.

Sounds like this topic is showing Apple's stubborness when pushed by customers, similar to the whole refusal to support Flash thing... which is another reason I was considering an Android phone anyway.

Not impressed with this feature not being supported by my iPhone 4S. Come on Apple.....get with the latest technology.....

I'm sure Tim Cook will be heartbroken over your decision.