Ford will improve its MyFord Touch user interface—even for existing customers— offering simpler graphics and a faster touch screen.
The original MyFord Touch system, which launched a year ago starting with the 2011 Ford Edge, took a beating in the press because it was too complex for many users.
The new version will launch early next year, starting with the 2013 Ford Escape, Flex and Taurus. Existing Ford owners will receive a USB flash drive in the mail with the software upgrade. Or users can visit a dealer to install the upgrade.
With the upgrade, Ford said it is showing “how quickly we can deliver more of what customers really want,” said Graydon Reitz, director, Ford Global Electronics and Electrical Systems Engineering.
New features include support for tablet devices and Audible.com audiobooks, improved navigation maps and enhanced voice recognition interaction.
For a video demonstration of the improvements, see http://youtu.be/c3k4iDZyhYE
Ford says that customers still buy its cars specifically for the car infotainment system. A survey of 2011 Ford Edge owners shows that four of the top seven purchase reasons were elements of the MyFord Touch system: the touch screen, steering wheel controls, voice recognition and dashboard styling.
See full press release here.
Source: Ford
