Ford will redesign MyFord Touch

[floppymoose]

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2013/06/ford-adds-knobs-to-myford-touch/

an excerpt:

After getting hammered in recent quality reports for the confusing and difficult set up of its MyFord Touch and My Lincoln Touch systems, Ford plans to put knobs for volume and station tuning back on its radios as it redesigns models like the Ford Focus and Lincoln MKS.

 

[WattsUp]

I think a few physical controls for key functions are helpful. In the FFE, we already have a physical volume knob and track buttons, not to mention the climate controls. I also think that, well executed, virtual controls on touch screens are great too. In my FFE, use the virtual and phsyical controls in tandem.

I think the real problem with MFT isn't that it consists of software and a touchscreen, but that it is implemented so poorly in many ways. It is still too slow and too buggy. It's like Ford implementing a steering wheel that keeps coming loose, or locks up, or randomly turns the car in the opposite direction than intended... and then announcing, "you know, we're re-evaluating this whole 'steering wheel' concept, customers don't seem to like steering wheels". No... customers do like steering wheels. Steering wheels make a lot sense. What customers don't like are unreliable steering wheels that can't be counted on to steer properly... 100% of the time.

I'm sure I would like MFT much better if it was simply more responsive and as bullet-proof as any physical button. This is not impossible to do, Ford just hasn't managed to do it.

I wish Ford had instead announced something like, "we are re-evaluating our MFT development processes with an eye towards drastically improving usability and reliability.. we intend to set the highest industry standard going forward".

 

[jmueller065]

You have to read that article carefully. The Focus line already has that design: the HVAC system in the Focus is an example of "more buttons".

They really are addressing the complaints with the Edge, Explorer, and Taurus. Those vehicles don't have any "buttons" the radio and HVAC separate controls from MFT are capacitive touch areas (just strips of metal that you can brush your fingers across to activate--of course they don't work with gloves on!).

As they state: the MFT implementation in the F-150 already has "more buttons" and has been highly successful.

None of this means new MFT software will be written or a new MFT module will be designed--it just means the finicky touch areas on those vehicles will be replaced with buttons.

(They are attempting to improve the MFT software--it just takes time. I hear that there may be another release coming this summer--but that probably means next winter for the FFE as the BEV and HEV vehicles seem to get the updates later.)

 

[floppymoose]

You have to read that article carefully. The Focus line already has that design: the HVAC system in the Focus is an example of "more buttons".

What about the line I quoted? It sounds like the next version of the Focus and Lincoln MKS will have revamped controls for the functions now served by MyFord Touch. I'm not sure when that will be, but that is how I read the article.

 

[jmueller065]

What about the line I quoted? It sounds like the next version of the Focus and Lincoln MKS will have revamped controls for the functions now served by MyFord Touch. I'm not sure when that will be, but that is how I read the article.

Except that the Focus already has buttons for volume on the steering wheel and on the dash--real buttons. The MKS (Taurus) will be redesigned just like the Taurus its based on (and MKX will be redesigned like the Edge its based on).

 

[floppymoose]

Volume, yes. Navigating presets, no. I think the next design of the FFE is going to address that and possibly other control issues.