MFT Update - Jumpdrive

[calb]

Happy Friday, everyone!

We haven't sent them out yet and I don't have a date for when they will be sent. However, I'll be sure to let you all know once I do.

Have a great weekend!

Rebecca

Lemme see, Ford said "1st Quarter", Rebecca said "not January", so I figure I'll plan on release tomorrow, Feb 1st

 

[w1kedz]

mp3 playback is terrible on MFT. I had a 2008 Kenwood DNX8120 in my 2005 ex. That headunit blows today's MFT out of the water! Playlist browsing was instant and smart. MFT has long load times for playlists due to voice indexing. The browsing is clumsy. Paging down long playlists is laggy. Furthermore, when you choose a song in a playlist that has hundreds of tracks, and then want to go back to said playlist and listen to a track that's in the same list, you have to begin browsing from scratch. I've read all the hoopla about this fantastic new overhaul of MFT and have YET to see any mention of these issues being resolved. It can be assumed whoever claims to not have no issues with mp3 playback is because MFT may be their first exposure to mp3 playback in their vehicles and hence have no basis for comparison to an efficient mp3 playback system. I feel like Ford is banking on the overall complancency of these users and thus decided not to emphasize on mp3 playback, which is very disheartening. That sir, is exactly my issue w/ mp3 playback!

Browsing and playback are two separate concerns, hence my confusion. When you say playback I thought you meant there is an audio problem with mp3s. That said, browsing is much more efficient using voice commands, and while lacking in physical ability to browse on screen is very much superior in voice control.

Play song <song title>
Play playlist <playlist>
Play artist <artist>
Play album <album>

All work flawlessly for me. I do 100% agree that strides need to be made for on-screen browsing, but I also feel that a lot of using the screen is being deprecated and replaced by voice control.

I've owned many pioneer (avh-xxxxDVD models), clarion (3 different touch screen models) and one alpine in the past. While for physical browsing MFT doesn't compare to any of them, for navi, voice control, and phone, none of them were half as elegant as MFT (if they even had the features).

If you were so happy with the kenwood unit you had, why did you get MFT? Why not just get the base stereo and install an aftermarket head unit?

 

[flaguy]

Well, our original word was the new release would be coming in January. That's out of the question. I guess our next disappointment will be on March 31, when we are still waiting.

 

[peterk9]

Well, our original word was the new release would be coming in January. That's out of the question. I guess our next disappointment will be on March 31, when we are still waiting.

To my knowledge, it has always been said as Q1 for the release and with new vehicle models being introduced in March I have no expectations of seeing it much before March 31st. As for myself, I'm not in a rush. My V2.4 is working great, for the most part.

Peter

 

[w1kedz]

Well, our original word was the new release would be coming in January. That's out of the question. I guess our next disappointment will be on March 31, when we are still waiting.

No one from Ford ever said Jan. they always said Q1

 

[chimoman]

Just got a card in the mail saying I will be recieving the jump drive soon to update my X. It also said I can take it to the dealer and have them do the update for me. No date on it. Just said it will be coming soon in the mail.

 

[neocvera]

Is there something one has to do in order to receive these updates? I'm signed up for smr/owners but is there anything else?

 

[StunnedMonkey]

I think they would be stupid to jump their "First Quarter" promise date. Besides aren't they releasing new cars in the first quarter that contain the update?

I think in the world of software development/announcements, "First Quarter" is understood to mean "hopefully by the end of October."

 

[suzook]

I think in the world of software development/announcements, "First Quarter" is understood to mean "hopefully by the end of October."

I love the optimism

 

[StunnedMonkey]

mp3 playback is terrible on MFT. I had a 2008 Kenwood DNX8120 in my 2005 ex. That headunit blows today's MFT out of the water! Playlist browsing was instant and smart. MFT has long load times for playlists due to voice indexing. The browsing is clumsy. Paging down long playlists is laggy. Furthermore, when you choose a song in a playlist that has hundreds of tracks, and then want to go back to said playlist and listen to a track that's in the same list, you have to begin browsing from scratch. I've read all the hoopla about this fantastic new overhaul of MFT and have YET to see any mention of these issues being resolved. It can be assumed whoever claims to not have no issues with mp3 playback is because MFT may be their first exposure to mp3 playback in their vehicles and hence have no basis for comparison to an efficient mp3 playback system. I feel like Ford is banking on the overall complancency of these users and thus decided not to emphasize on mp3 playback, which is very disheartening. That sir, is exactly my issue w/ mp3 playback!

I agree with your frustrations here. When I first got the EX I was most excited about keeping a large USB drive attached to house a huge number of tunes. But it's so clumsy as to be merely frustrating. And FF'ing through longer tracks is ridiculously slow. I gave up on it long ago and just use my iPhone and BT for audio. At least I do when the BT audio actually connects successfully. You can never count on it.

As far as MP3 playback being addressed in this update, I doubt it. I don't think they put much thought into the design of that part in the first place. It certainly doesn't seem like a priority.

 

[scoobycarolan]

Any updates on Jumpdrives?

wel.....

 

[lexrid]

For what its worth, my service adviser last week told me he'd be surprised if these were out before the summer. I don't know if he's got inside info or he's just trying to manage expectations. I didn't press it as I've not had many issues with MFT.

 

[flaguy]

Those Ford employees who were testing the MFT upgrade in December probably found a bunch of bugs and they are now trying to work them out.

 

[peterk9]

wel.....

We are still well within Q1. As I mentioned before, I believe it won't be released until the arrival of the new models to be introduce sometime in March. Rebbeca of the IVT team has repeatedly said that she would pass along any info she receives on the update. Personally I'm in no rush. I still have V2.4 and although it has the odd hiccup, it works well.
I'm not expecting a release much before the end of March at the earliest.

Peter

 

[deewan]

A question I have about this update and I apologize if it has been discussed elsewhere on the forum.

Ford will be mailing us a jumpdrive so we can update MFT if we want OR we can go to the dealership and they will update for us. I've read the last update took 45 minutes to install and the car must be running the entire time of the install. Kind of a waste of gas in my opinion. If the dealership installs, can they bypass the 'car must be running' requirement and save some fuel?

Thanks for your help!

 

[peterk9]

A question I have about this update and I apologize if it has been discussed elsewhere on the forum.

Ford will be mailing us a jumpdrive so we can update MFT if we want OR we can go to the dealership and they will update for us. I've read the last update took 45 minutes to install and the car must be running the entire time of the install. Kind of a waste of gas in my opinion. If the dealership installs, can they bypass the 'car must be running' requirement and save some fuel?

Thanks for your help!

I don't know for sure but I doubt it. The difference with this new update is that you can be driving while it updates whereas I believe with the last update (V2.11) the vehicle had to be parked and running.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Peter

 

[FordIVTteam]

I don't know for sure but I doubt it. The difference with this new update is that you can be driving while it updates whereas I believe with the last update (V2.11) the vehicle had to be parked and running.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Peter

You're right, Peter!

A question I have about this update and I apologize if it has been discussed elsewhere on the forum.

Ford will be mailing us a jumpdrive so we can update MFT if we want OR we can go to the dealership and they will update for us. I've read the last update took 45 minutes to install and the car must be running the entire time of the install. Kind of a waste of gas in my opinion. If the dealership installs, can they bypass the 'car must be running' requirement and save some fuel?

Thanks for your help!

Hi, deewan!

Your vehicle must be running in order to do the upgrade whether you or your dealer does it. This is because Accessory Mode will put your vehicle into a power save mode and turn certain features off. Like Peter said, you'll be able to drive while performing the coming upgrade.

Rebecca

 

[JDraper]

Rebecca,

Any update on when the drives will become distributed? 2/3 of the way through the quarter...

 

[182RG]

Seriously,

How many of you are going to run from the mailbox to the garage and install it ASAP? I'm going to stay on 2.11 for a month or two to see how it shakes out.

Oh, as a software guy, I'm betting April-May.

 

[MikeFreas]

I haven't heard a peep from the dealer or Ford. I doubt they even know I own a Explorer. Not that this thread is about dealer bashing but one would think they would have called once.