Ford Let's Owners Update MyFord Touch Via USB

MyFordTouch

For those of us with computers, smartphones and gaming machines, upgrades are a part of life. But for cars, if there are upgrades, they are typically handled at the dealer with special equipment.

Now, Ford is updating it's MyFord Touch infotainment system to make it easier to use and faster. Available early next year – and offered at no charge to existing MyFord Touch owners – the upgrade to the software improves the user/driver experience.

The upgrade includes faster response for touch-screen inputs, better voice recognition, and compatibility with a wider range of mobile phones as well as tablets and e-books. Phone connection has been made faster, and Ford says it improved the noise and echo cancellation for phone calls made through a Bluetooth connection. The screen display designs are simpler, with larger type for the most often used functions, fewer options, and less clutter. Ford says that altogether, it redesigned the graphics of more than 1,000 different screens.

 Ford says the revamp was developed by listening and responding to customer feedback. The auto maker has been dinged by owners and the media, most specifically Consumer Reports -- because the current system is clunky and complex.

I think the most interesting part of this story is that Ford will be mailing out USB memory sticks with the upgrade so that owners can do the upgrade themselves. This is the first instance of a car maker allowing non-mechanics to do a significant upgrade to a key system in a vehicle that I can think of.