Next Gen Ford Infotainment Revealed: Ford Digital Experience

[Jarstang]

Official Site:
https://www.ford.com/technology/ford-digital-experience/

*Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capable.


Video:

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[roket]

i've had the chance to mess with Ford Digital Experience for a bit in a fair few 2025 Explorers and Expeditions my dealer has gotten in, and i honestly like it more than any version of SYNC. it's based on Android Automotive (which is not the same as Android Auto) instead of SYNC 4 which i think is still some mix of Blackberry QNX but with Unreal Engine shoved into it.

Android Automotive is an Android (shocker, i know) based system specifically designed for automotive use, and has a bunch of Google services built-in. some automakers that currently use or are planning to use Android Automotive besides Ford are: Polestar, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Lucid, Honda, and Porsche.

i don't know processor details, but i found out from messing with the developer settings that both the Explorer and Expedition have 8GB of RAM in their systems, which is likely 4X the RAM that the current SYNC has and means a better user experience. it's much more responsive feeling than SYNC 4 from what i remember, and also on the Expedition and Explorer, means that the IPC module is no more and the APIM now controls the center display as well as the dash, allowing for map view on the dash and some smaller details like how on the Explorer the one shown on-screen matches the color of your actual Explorer.

there's also a bunch of apps you can download from Google Play for productivity, navigation, and entertainment. plus, you can pair a lot more than just your phone to it via Bluetooth. Ford actually shows in one of their demo images a Bluetooth game controller connected and playing some racing game (driving a GT350R, of course).

finally, you still have access to Android Auto and Apple Carplay with Ford Digital Experience.

And the integration of Google apps and services into our new experience doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™. You have the power to choose — these options are available and can work together seamlessly.

 

[Adeel3466]

I am just waiting for CarPlay Ultra

 

[smurfslayer]

Awesome... because it’s not difficult enough to keep your vehicle data out of data broker’s hands, so enter more Google. :-/

 

[Zig]

Drivers and online group meetings may require an updated distraction disclaimer

 

[Stanzi]

i've had the chance to mess with Ford Digital Experience for a bit in a fair few 2025 Explorers and Expeditions my dealer has gotten in, and i honestly like it more than any version of SYNC. it's based on Android Automotive (which is not the same as Android Auto) instead of SYNC 4 which i think is still some mix of Blackberry QNX but with Unreal Engine shoved into it.

Android Automotive is an Android (shocker, i know) based system specifically designed for automotive use, and has a bunch of Google services built-in. some automakers that currently use or are planning to use Android Automotive besides Ford are: Polestar, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Lucid, Honda, and Porsche.

i don't know processor details, but i found out from messing with the developer settings that both the Explorer and Expedition have 8GB of RAM in their systems, which is likely 4X the RAM that the current SYNC has and means a better user experience. it's much more responsive feeling than SYNC 4 from what i remember,

Well I for one am super excited about the Sync 4 in my new Mustang GT 301A.

Coming from a $45k Subaru WRX tR Spec Edition where the damn screen literally could take 2 seconds from button push to action- this thing is buttery smooth.

just wanted to provide some perspective It’s Baaaaad out there

 

[glenng6]

Awesome... because it’s not difficult enough to keep your vehicle data out of data broker’s hands, so enter more Google. :-/

I wouldn't touch google with a ten foot pole! Glenn

 

[erocker]

I am just waiting for CarPlay Ultra

I'm hoping soon with the iPhone 17 about to launch.

 

[keithwalton]

I'm hoping soon with the iPhone 17 about to launch.

OEM's are rapidly ditching car play ultra development before it's even launched. I believe Aston Martin are the only manufacturer left and will be the sole launch partner.

It's apparently because apple want to much control over the ecosystem and OEMs are saying no thanks.

 

[Zig]

Great, just another limb/branch on the phone tree.

They can build a car but not enough brains to control it? What the heck, ford had engineers at one point, when you just farm everything out you didn’t really build it now did you.

 

[roket]

was able to verify that Ford Digital Experience has 8.3GB of RAM

and also that both the dash and center screen mirror the actual vehicle color (in this case Vapor Blue)

 

[Lakersfreak]

any chance this will come to our Mustangs? Seems like an easy update to switch over. I don't like Sync at all.

 

[broncoboy22]

any chance this will come to our Mustangs? Seems like an easy update to switch over. I don't like Sync at all.

I highly doubt it. I can’t think of one case where Ford has gone back and updated older models with the newest firmware. Especially since it appears this is different hardware too with more RAM. Someone will figure out how to DIY it, but coming from Ford officially? Not a chance

 

[Lakersfreak]

I highly doubt it. I can’t think of one case where Ford has gone back and updated older models with the newest firmware. Especially since it appears this is different hardware too with more RAM. Someone will figure out how to DIY it, but coming from Ford officially? Not a chance

I guess I have to buy me a new Mustang.

 

[broncoboy22]

I guess I have to buy me a new Mustang.

Agreed I think that’s mainly why they do it that way. It sucks because I think they could make a killing on retrofit kits

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