Once known for taking the proverbial bull by the horns, Ford Motor Company (currently in alliance with Microsoft) and its mobile-integration technology became the pioneer for commercial in-car software. Both the My Touch and SYNC systems helped pave the way for the current connections between motor vehicles and technology. Yet the journey hasn’t been without a few potholes.
Despite the consumer interest over Ford’s ingenuity and the ‘fad’ of being connected to your vehicle (as well as increasing competition from other car manufacturers), the MyFord Touch and SYNC systems are becoming frustrating and painful for drivers to use. In fact, according to Bloomberg, Consumer Reports reveal Lincoln and Ford come in 26th and 27th out of a possible 28 brands in relation to reliability.
Ford have taken two steps towards rebuilding its efforts for more reliable software. Firstly, according to the report, Ford is looking to move on from Microsoft and employ the services of QNX (QNX, owned by Blackberry parent company Research in Motion, has systems in vehicles developed by manufactures such as Audi, BMW, and Chrysler). Secondly, with iOS and Android smartphone domination, Ford has maneuvered to sign technology-alliance agreements with both Apple and Google in the hope of developing a business-relationship allowing for greater integration with two leading mobile operating systems.
Stay tuned for further updates on Ford’s possible shift to a QNX in-car technology system.
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