is Synch worth its weight?

J

J-Will

New member
I think this is the best place for this as it mainly pertains to data logging and gauges-

Since there is an option for some flavor of Synch, which is essentially a computer; is there a way to customize that or get 'apps' that perform logging or graphically show various gauges such as boost on the touch screen?
 
Wouldn't that be great! As far I know no one has hacked the sync system, nor do I believe it could display any engine parameters as it is a totally separate unit to the EMC.
 
The basis is already there in the collision avoidance system that flashes and turns my windshield red (projects on the windshield) when some fool cuts in front of me, etc..... Even if it just projected the info the user chooses to show in the left LED panel it would be great.
 
BiGMaC said:
The basis is already there in the collision avoidance system that flashes and turns my winshied red (projects on the windshield) when some fool cuts in front of me, etc..... Even if it just projected the info the user chooses to show in the left LED panel it would be great.
Click to expand...

I prefer the large tach in the 10-12's to that stupid panel. The tach is useless and the panel configurations are too limited.

I'm also a little peeved that I can't access the intelligent AWD screen.

It's pretty sad that the ST has a better gauge cluster than us.
 
And better seats and a manual trans. And all of them come with the same esc....tc controls, and better brakes and handling
 
BiGMaC said:
The basis is already there in the collision avoidance system that flashes and turns my winshied red (projects on the windshield) when some fool cuts in front of me, etc..... Even if it just projected the info the user chooses to show in the left LED panel it would be great.
Click to expand...
panther427 said:
And better seats and a manual trans. And all of them come with the same esc....tc controls, and better brakes and handling
Click to expand...
FoMoCoSHO said:
I prefer the large tach in the 10-12's to that stupid panel. The tach is useless and the panel configurations are too limited.

I'm also a little peeved that I can't access the intelligent AWD screen.

It's pretty sad that the ST has a better gauge cluster than us.
Click to expand...

Well, it's obvious that Ford is building a smart car that can drive itself much better than we can and this is just a beta step.  Still a manual could have been offered.

Problem is we want to mod and drive 'cuz we enjoy it.... and even with the changes that could be made my SHO is FUN to drive...I look forward to my commute!.  Personally I don't want a handshaker anymore (I paddle sometimes), so I don't need a "real" tach (I can data log for tuning at more realtime anyway), but the gauges could have been done better.  That's why a 3 gauge A-pillar mod is on my list or a 2 gauge pod with switchable digital gauges.  Take a look at some of bpd's pics of the added gauges he has.... He can monitor almost anything he could affect while driving.
 
But back on topic...

Sync is the best infotainment system out there currently.  Previous versions were a bit unintuitive and the huge number of functions it didn't help.  In my '13 I just talk to it and it happens. Then again i'm a computer nerd  LOL!
 
It's come along way.

I was guinea pig for it when it first came out. I had the new Focus Hatchback, it was horrible then but the revisions now make it much better.

As for hacking, yes, pain in the ass. I was able to crack it enough that I could redesign the artwork (they are flash files) and make my own custom UI. The problem I had was I couldn't break it enough to force a maintenance mode to upload the revisions. Ford was pretty smart and encrypted it enough that I didn't have time to figure it out. I pretty much gave up on it a longtime ago and the only thing that came out of it was an awesomely designed interface.

If I had access to Fords tool that refreshes the entire module, I could probably do something. It's not hard, the damn thing runs on a Microsoft operating system.

Sent from my mobile, I think.

 
Sync w/ myfordtouch is pretty embarrassing considering all the technology that is in the world.  A $200 7" nexus tablet blows it out of the water in user experience.  There is no excuse for the shitty touch, low resolution, laggy, and slow os/hardware that we have.  There is hardly any user configuration of screens or preferences.  The system could be a home run but it just seems to be hamstrung.  The same thing seems to be happening with devices like blurray players and pvrs.  They get the shittiest cpu they can find that barely runs the software and call it a day.

I get the normal mode for my mother, but wheres the advanced mode?  The right lcd display? Oh lets just show everything available on the main screen, it's next to useless.  Let me hide "am", I  never want to see it.  Let me put usb as the first selection.  Don't get me started on car metrics.  It's on the buss and can display any data about the car you could ever want.  There is a "test mode" where holding down the left ok steering wheel button brings up car data but its ****.
 
dalum said:
Sync w/ myfordtouch is pretty embarrassing considering all the technology that is in the world.  A $200 7" nexus tablet blows it out of the water in user experience.  There is no excuse for the shitty touch, low resolution, laggy, and slow os/hardware that we have.  There is hardly any user configuration of screens or preferences.  The system could be a home run but it just seems to be hamstrung.  The same thing seems to be happening with devices like blurray players and pvrs.  They get the shittiest cpu they can find that barely runs the software and call it a day.


I get the normal mode for my mother, but wheres the advanced mode?  The right lcd display? Oh lets just show everything available on the main screen, it's next to useless.  Let me hide "am", I  never want to see it.  Let me put usb as the first selection.  Don't get me started on car metrics.  It's on the buss and can display any data about the car you could ever want.  There is a "test mode" where holding down the left ok steering wheel button brings up car data but its ****.
Click to expand...

No Arguments... but lets compare cars and cars.  It's much improved over my 2009, but not all I wish it was.  Maybe this computer hacking could be done like a tune to the ECM if we can figure a way to get the code!... screen replacement is no big deal... I love the 17" screen in a Tesla coupe... but it won't do what sync will.  Let's make hacking sync a project.
 
BiGMaC said:
No Arguments... but lets compare cars and cars.  It's much improved over my 2009, but not all I wish it was.  Maybe this computer hacking could be done like a tune to the ECM if we can figure a way to get the code!... screen replacement is no big deal... I love the 17" screen in a Tesla coupe... but it won't do what sync will.  Let's make hacking sync a project.
Click to expand...

Yes they have improved since the earlier versions, but i don't know how anyone with the earlier versions didn't take a sledge hammer to their dashboard.  I'm just saying the whole industry should be embarrassed for their offerings.

I read (hear i think) that someone had got the data off the system, changed some images to test, and couldn't get the system to auth the upload.  I read an interview that said when they install the software at the factory they use wifi that the hardware is already programed to only connect to.  After the config data is uploaded it's supposed to "never" accept it again.  That's why, say, a dealer can't add a backup camera to models shipped without them.  Even a lockpick says it can't enable backup cameras for cars built without one.
 
Ya'... we had the same issue trying to enable onboard nav in an F350... all the hardware is there in every build, but the factory flash wouldn't let the dealer enable it.... it recognized that an SD card was in the slot, but gave an error message. I've been hacking (Mac and PC) since the late '70's, but this system instruction string is different in how it's locked as you point out.

It could do so much more.. maybe it will in future if the consumer keeps letting Ford know specifically what they want from it we'll see some improvements in the GUI options and capabilities.
 
I'm not even sure anyone is working on getting into sync/myfordtouch.  I wish the pros would attack it like they do iOS jailbreaking!  We may not be able to change the options config but the graphics and other stuff all seem updatable through fw upgrades.  Since it's not online calling home to get real time signed updates it has to be vulnerable.  When you dl and update from syncmyride is it just for your vin/ whatever number or could you use the same download on every car on the lot?
 
My sync actually calls home (via my cell to get access) and updates that way while I drive... during updates the center screen shifts to the screen to left of the speedometer.... pros and cons for what we're discussing, but at least no more flash drives or trips to the dealer.

If more people were interested (like they were for jailbreaking phones someone would be doing it I guess.

I had no problem with iOS since i'm a developer and had the tools to access...... How do you think we could get a "virtual sync" on our home CPUs like I get for an iOS device.

 
I haven't looked into it at all.  I assume sync is some old windows ce or something.  There is obviously some emulator software for it SOMEWHERE :D
 
It's WEA; Windows Embedded Automotive 7 OS.

Modifying the OS is easy as ****; I've done it countless times and ran it through a self-made emulator. The problem is I and few of my contacts from over a year ago couldn't figure out the security encryption to allow the system to flash--i.e., mimic a maintenance mode. Unfortunately, I am not investing in a dummy unit to test nor would I destroy the one in my Focus or the one in my SHO.

Can it be done? Yes, but unless there is a demand--nobody is going to bother trying. It's too risky and the cost of the system to replace is not worth it.

As for the update on Syncmyride; no--that file is same across all vehicles. You can technically take the file and plug it into any car and update so long as that vehicle does not have the same update.

Now; if someone REALLY wanted to do this--the key is finding a service manager who will let you give him a reach around for a few hours with their super computer--they have the package file with the signed keys that we need to mimic all kinds of ****; including full blown re-flashes. Getting your hands on that $10k piece of hardware is unlikely unless your daddy owns a Ford shop.
 
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