How useful OR useless is the XLT Sync System

[bschurman]

You can add an adapter that will make carplay work just fine in the Maverick. I have one in my Lariat and it's great.

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[MavVa1024]

I'm pretty sure if you don't have SYNC, the pass thru feature will be disabled except to make phone calls. "Pass Thru" feature is a Ford feature, not an Android Auto feature. Unless you are talking about tapping the mic symbol on your mobile phone? Is that what you mean?

You will be able to activate Google assistant by pressing the voice command on your steering wheel, the microphone icon on the touchscreen in in Android Auto interface, or by simply saying "Hey Google". You can then give all sorts of voice commands. It is the entire point of Apple Carplay and Android Auto. I connected my phone via Android Auto when I test drove the XLT Lux a local dealer had. I also work in the Car A/V industry, and am very well versed in these systems. Android Auto gives you voice control over any feature you google assistant can do normally, with a few constraints due to the whole driving thing.

 

[Mainer500]

Works fine for me. Most of the things I had heard that others dislike about the Maverick like the engine sound, speaker quality, infotainment system, etc. I found to be non-issues at least for me.

Sometimes if I plug my phone in before starting the truck, Android auto won't work and I'll have to unplug the phone and plug it back in. Or, if the last time I drove the truck I used Android auto but the next time I just want to let it connect through Bluetooth it won't autoplay my music. It's all pretty much just first world problems to me.

Ha ha ha thank you for the info

 

[Mainer500]

I have had SYNC versions since 2010. What it really amounts to is the "pass thru" feature. This is the feature that allows you to use voice commands for some of the apps on your mobile phone when connected via a USB cable. Some common uses are voice commands to dial contacts from your phone ("Call Mom"), responses to receiving text messages ("Do you want to hear text message?" "Yes") and commands to Google maps ("Directions. Mass General Hospital Boston MA"). This is what I will miss most about not having SYNC. I will still be able to use Android Auto but I will no longer be able to use Voice Commands for most features.

Thank you

 

[jcnnjc]

Works... but annoying AF that it's not Sync. That and no XM.

I use my phone to use the XM app, works great, and you don’t have to pay another subscription fee.

 

[Mainer500]

I use my phone to use the XM app, works great, and you don’t have to pay another subscription fee.

I was thinking of getting XM again, used to have it in my truck and now you can have on your phone so she'd get to have it too. Great idea, hers arrives in about 2 weeks, wanna set it to right for her.

 

[YazYaz]

You will be able to activate Google assistant by pressing the voice command on your steering wheel, the microphone icon on the touchscreen in in Android Auto interface, or by simply saying "Hey Google". You can then give all sorts of voice commands. It is the entire point of Apple Carplay and Android Auto. I connected my phone via Android Auto when I test drove the XLT Lux a local dealer had. I also work in the Car A/V industry, and am very well versed in these systems. Android Auto gives you voice control over any feature you google assistant can do normally, with a few constraints due to the whole driving thing.

It worked becasue you test drove a Luxury model which has Ford SYNC 3. Since Android Auto is free why would anyone pay for Ford Sync 3? Ford Sync is only available as part of a Luxury Package. See below with special attention to the red highlights.

Standard on Maverick XL, XLT and Lariat

• 8" Bluetooth® touchscreen (NOTE: This has a similar look as

SYNC® 3, but does not have embedded voice commands)1

• Hands-free calling capability with pass-through of

phone voice commands

• Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® compatibility

(USB connection required)2

• 911 Assist® and AppLink®

• FordPass™ Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and



Included in the Optional Lariat Luxury Package

• SYNC 3 Voice Recognition Communications System1

• Hands-free calling capability with SYNC 3

voice commands

• Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® compatibility (USB

connection required)

• 911 Assist® and AppLink®

• FordPass™ Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and

 

[MavVa1024]

It worked becasue you test drove a Luxury model which has Ford SYNC 3. Since Android Auto is free why would anyone pay for Ford Sync 3? Ford Sync is only available as part of a Luxury Package. See below with special attention to the red highlights.

Standard on Maverick XL, XLT and Lariat

• 8" Bluetooth® touchscreen (NOTE: This has a similar look as

SYNC® 3, but does not have embedded voice commands)1

• Hands-free calling capability with pass-through of

phone voice commands

• Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® compatibility

(USB connection required)2

• 911 Assist® and AppLink®

• FordPass™ Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and



Included in the Optional Lariat Luxury Package

• SYNC 3 Voice Recognition Communications System1

• Hands-free calling capability with SYNC 3

voice commands

• Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® compatibility (USB

connection required)

• 911 Assist® and AppLink®

• FordPass™ Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and

Xlt lux does not have sync 3. Andrpid auto uses the factory Bluetooth mic to use voice commands to control the connected phone. I can promise you, if the radio has android auto/applecarplay, you will have voice control.over navigation apps, music streaming apps, calls, and voice texting while the phone is connected via USB. It is the literal purpose of those two systems. I can promise you 100% that phone based voice commands work on any radio with Android Auto/apple carplay, as that is their whole purpose. XL, XLT, Lariat (lux packages or not) will have the same functionality via Android Auto or apple carplay. I promise you. I work at Crutchfield, this is quite literally one of my fields of professional expertise, I use and talk, and sell, and Install, and upgrade, and all things car infotainment upgrades everyday. To claim Android Auto will not do voice commands without sync3 (separate system) is literally misinformation and wrong.

If the system won't work with voice commands via AA or ACP while connected via USB, then it doesn't have AA or ACP, period. I doubt Ford would lie about having those systems, as google and apple would be PISSED.

 

[YazYaz]

Xlt lux does not have sync 3. Andrpid auto uses the factory Bluetooth mic to use voice commands to control the connected phone. I can promise you, if the radio has android auto/applecarplay, you will have voice control.over navigation apps, music streaming apps, calls, and voice texting while the phone is connected via USB. It is the literal purpose of those two systems. I can promise you 100% that phone based voice commands work on any radio with Android Auto/apple carplay, as that is their whole purpose. XL, XLT, Lariat (lux packages or not) will have the same functionality via Android Auto or apple carplay. I promise you. I work at Crutchfield, this is quite literally one of my fields of professional expertise, I use and talk, and sell, and Install, and upgrade, and all things car infotainment upgrades everyday. To claim Android Auto will not do voice commands without sync3 (separate system) is literally misinformation and wrong.

If the system won't work with voice commands via AA or ACP while connected via USB, then it doesn't have AA or ACP, period. I doubt Ford would lie about having those systems, as google and apple would be PISSED.

You are correct about XLT LUX not having SYNC. That shocks the hell out of me that the only trim you can get SYNC is the Lariat. So my question still remains as to why would Ford have a feature that can be duplicated with free phone Apps?

 

[dano0726]

Dear God, I'm currently living in the Stone Age with my 2011 Jeep Wrangler -- most basic stereo and I still use a $50 iPod via Aux wire...

 

[Mainer500]

Xlt lux does not have sync 3. Andrpid auto uses the factory Bluetooth mic to use voice commands to control the connected phone. I can promise you, if the radio has android auto/applecarplay, you will have voice control.over navigation apps, music streaming apps, calls, and voice texting while the phone is connected via USB. It is the literal purpose of those two systems. I can promise you 100% that phone based voice commands work on any radio with Android Auto/apple carplay, as that is their whole purpose. XL, XLT, Lariat (lux packages or not) will have the same functionality via Android Auto or apple carplay. I promise you. I work at Crutchfield, this is quite literally one of my fields of professional expertise, I use and talk, and sell, and Install, and upgrade, and all things car infotainment upgrades everyday. To claim Android Auto will not do voice commands without sync3 (separate system) is literally misinformation and wrong.

If the system won't work with voice commands via AA or ACP while connected via USB, then it doesn't have AA or ACP, period. I doubt Ford would lie about having those systems, as google and apple would be PISSED.

Thank you for your insight. Her Maverick will be here in a couple of weeks so as soon as we test it out and she starts driving it I'll post back our impressions

 

[aspect]

It worked becasue you test drove a Luxury model which has Ford SYNC 3. Since Android Auto is free why would anyone pay for Ford Sync 3? Ford Sync is only available as part of a Luxury Package. See below with special attention to the red highlights.

Standard on Maverick XL, XLT and Lariat

• 8" Bluetooth® touchscreen (NOTE: This has a similar look as

SYNC® 3, but does not have embedded voice commands)1

• Hands-free calling capability with pass-through of

phone voice commands

• Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® compatibility

(USB connection required)2

• 911 Assist® and AppLink®

• FordPass™ Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and



Included in the Optional Lariat Luxury Package

• SYNC 3 Voice Recognition Communications System1

• Hands-free calling capability with SYNC 3

voice commands

• Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® compatibility (USB

connection required)

• 911 Assist® and AppLink®

• FordPass™ Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and

The XLT radio steering wheel button works for Google assistant. I use it every day. Literally I plug in one cable and then just tell my car to navigate places and listen to almost any song ever recorded.

The amount of whining about having to plug in a cable to get this kind of technology on an entry level vehicle is hilarious.

 

[Mainer500]

I'm pretty sure if you don't have SYNC, the pass thru feature will be disabled except to make phone calls. "Pass Thru" feature is a Ford feature, not an Android Auto feature. Unless you are talking about tapping the mic symbol on your mobile phone? Is that what you mean?

I basically just want to make sure she can use Google Maps and make calls. Just the basic stuff. Plus the Google voice sounds better then Ford’s 1950's computer voice

 

[Mainer500]

I was thinking of getting XM again, used to have it in my truck and now you can have on your phone so she'd get to have it too. Great idea, hers arrives in about 2 weeks, wanna set it up right for her.

 

[YazYaz]

Xlt lux does not have sync 3. Andrpid auto uses the factory Bluetooth mic to use voice commands to control the connected phone. I can promise you, if the radio has android auto/applecarplay, you will have voice control.over navigation apps, music streaming apps, calls, and voice texting while the phone is connected via USB. It is the literal purpose of those two systems. I can promise you 100% that phone based voice commands work on any radio with Android Auto/apple carplay, as that is their whole purpose. XL, XLT, Lariat (lux packages or not) will have the same functionality via Android Auto or apple carplay. I promise you. I work at Crutchfield, this is quite literally one of my fields of professional expertise, I use and talk, and sell, and Install, and upgrade, and all things car infotainment upgrades everyday. To claim Android Auto will not do voice commands without sync3 (separate system) is literally misinformation and wrong.

If the system won't work with voice commands via AA or ACP while connected via USB, then it doesn't have AA or ACP, period. I doubt Ford would lie about having those systems, as google and apple would be PISSED.

MavVa1024 - Is Crutchfield going to offer some speaker upgrades for the Mav?

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