Next Gen Ford Infotainment Revealed: Ford Digital Experience

[OleFordGuy]

Another subscription

Yep, perpetual income for Ford if you want it to continue to function completely after the "trial period" ends. Pretty sure GM is doing the same thing. Reminds me of cable/internet based TV services that keep going up in price whenever they want. Personally, I have no desire for their next gen digital experience simply due to it being a subscription cost where pricing could be whatever they want in future years. Just my 2 cents/personal opinion. Others may vary, nothing wrong with that.

(Per google AI - who knows on the accuracy of all this)

The cost of Ford Digital Experience features varies; the base Connectivity Package has a one-time purchase option for $745, extending for a minimum of 7 years. If you don't purchase it upfront, you may get a complimentary trial, after which it costs $14.99/month or $149.95/year. Ford Connected Navigation is $80/year after the trial period.

Ford Connectivity Package

• One-Time Purchase:
  A one-time payment of $745 provides a minimum of 7 years of service and can be purchased when ordering your vehicle or at the point of sale.
• Subscription After Trial:
  If you don't choose the one-time purchase, you'll receive an included trial (duration varies by model). After the trial ends, you can choose to auto-renew monthly for $14.99 or annually for $149.95.

Ford Connected Navigation

• Trial Period:
  Eligible vehicles receive a complimentary trial period for Connected Navigation.
• Post-Trial Cost:
  After the introductory trial, a subscription to Ford Connected Navigation costs $80 per year, plus applicable taxes and fees.

After a Ford Digital Experience trial ends, connected services like real-time traffic for Google Maps, streaming music and news via Alexa Built-in, and the full Connected Navigation experience will not work without a new subscription or an alternative internet source like a phone's Wi-Fi hotspot. You'll still be able to use basic vehicle functions with Google Assistant and may have access to downloaded offline maps.

Connected Features That Stop Working

• Real-time Data: .

Google Maps will lose access to real-time traffic information and the ability to download new maps.

• Streaming Services:

Enhanced Alexa Built-in features such as streaming music, flash briefings, and in-vehicle games will no longer be available.

• Full Navigation:

The Connected Navigation feature will revert to a "moving map" with no destination routing functionality if the trial expires and is not renewed.

• App Downloads:

You will be unable to download or update apps from Google Play if there is no internet connection.

Features That May Still Work

• Google Assistant:

You can still use Google Assistant to control basic vehicle functions, such as playing the radio and adjusting climate controls.

• Offline Navigation:

If you enabled auto-downloaded offline maps, you can still use navigation features for basic routing.

• Previously Downloaded Apps:

Some apps downloaded when the trial was active may still function without connectivity.

Sponsored

 

[kbagrows]

I have the most important question in this thread: Can I install Linux on it?

And of course..... Can it run Crysis?

 

[Surly Old Bill]

These OEM onboard things are worse than freeware versions offered on the web. It baffling to me why anyone would PAY EXTRA for stuff that's typically free, and works better.

 

[colinl]

Yep, perpetual income for Ford if you want it to continue to function completely after the "trial period" ends.

yes, obviously, but this isn't free money. Ford has fixed and variable ongoing costs, plus however they choose to account for the initial development.

they have costs for developers, marketing, servers and networking, and so on. the first year I'm sure bluecruise lost money. how many subscribers does it take to be profitable, we don't know. but it's not like they do nothing and just get those customer payments for free.

plus, this functionality isn't remotely close to essential. charging for remote starting in fordpass would piss a lot of people off, but at this point in 2025 people don't view semi autonomous driving assistance anywhere near as necessary. I mean, hell, there are more than a few people with adaptive cruise who don't like or use it and there's no recurring cost.

Sponsored