the big deal with android auto versus built in gps navigation

[powerboatr]

I must be dense or not catching the vibe
but, in layman's terms, what is the big deal with android auto, versus the built in navigation and sync?

i like my nav system and the sync. but it seems of late everyone is over the moon about android auto, its loaded on my truck and my samsung constantly tries to use it vice the trucks built in nav.

what am i missing by not using android auto? and of course googles new drive assistant????

thanks from the old guy

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[oneinch]

It's not a big deal. While you may not be able to delete the Android Auto app on your phone, you should be able to disable it if you don't wish to use it. The built-in nav works just fine. I prefer AA. I like the satellite view. It's connected to my calendar so appointment destinations are just a tap away. I find it more pleasing to the eye. It's also useful at times being able to see a picture of what is around. AA is more connected than the built-in nav. I think it's easier to use. In the end though it isn't a big deal. Just different strokes for different folks.

 

[powerboatr]

It's not a big deal. While you may not be able to delete the Android Auto app on your phone, you should be able to disable it if you don't wish to use it. The built-in nav works just fine. I prefer AA. I like the satellite view. It's connected to my calendar so appointment destinations are just a tap away. I find it more pleasing to the eye. It's also useful at times being able to see a picture of what is around. AA is more connected than the built-in nav. I think it's easier to use. In the end though it isn't a big deal. Just different strokes for different folks.

thank you
i read that the maps are more up to date than the truck, but i have att data plan on the truck that so far is up to date fast in regards to traffic and those sort of interruptions
i put AA to sleep on the samsung s 21 fe so it wont auto load. but friday the google / samsumg driving mode turned on with no input from me, i had to put it to sleep as well.
last time i used AA was in my expedition and it was un remarkable imo
never thought about calendar things/places popping up on screen as i get close to them, thats sort of an interesting thing to have..

 

[HammaMan]

AA is superior in all functionality. Its voice recognition is better, you phone does the maps processing and is superior. The processor powering sync is that of a galaxy s7, you have an S21, offload that to the phone. Furthermore you have google's voice system native to it. I suggest you give AA a chance. To activate its voice prompts pushing and holding the activation button on the steering wheel will bring up googles instead of ford's. There's really no competition.

The gap between them will open significantly when google allows the language assistant more functionality based on the Ai backend. They've been holding back significantly vs what they can actually achieve.

Examples include asking it any question you want answered. Unlike google search, they use the models to actually try and answer the question. Simple, the weather or time at a location, more complex convert differing measurement values to different unit of measurement like convert kW and HP.

You don't use things like calendars because they're clunky. When you can speak to it like you can a person, that's a whole other ballgame. When you push the button and say something like "I've got an appointment on thursday the 26th at 2pm, remind me 2 hours ahead of time", that goes from clunky to you getting it to do precisely what you want it to with virtually no effort on your part, and you'll get notified 2 hours ahead of time about it. Feed it other important dates to remember and it will do with them whatever you want.

 

[oneinch]

You activated the AT&T hotspot? That's doesn't update the built-in nav. That just gives you WiFi in your truck. For this I just use my phone's hotspot. Four separate things use the truck's modem; OTA updates, AT&T hotspot, Ford Streaming, and Nav built-in.

I find asking asking Alexa for directions and especially places is better than asking nav built-in. I use the built-in nav occasionally. Sometimes it is just a PITA to always have your phone to do something. I wish AA could be loaded into the truck and the hotspot be it's data connection. No phone needed at all.

 

[HammaMan]

I use the truck's data function to feed data to the phone, only works plugged in. Its superior antennas and placement maintain network connectivity long after the phone loses reception. There's some signal dead zones due to geographic features, but the vehicle maintains connection longer and re-establishes connection at times the phone never does. With VOIP native in the phone, I'm able to maintain much more connectivity.

 

[powerboatr]

i had no idea
thanks all
i do know my "route" is updated pretty fast as it re routes me for accidents and stuff like that
my trucks hot spot i find it keeps me from loosing pandora in those spots where phone just wont pick up or keep the connection, unless phone is laying up on the dash.
lots to learn for an old guy
the samsung s21 fe is light years to me ahead of my old s6
maybe i will give it a shot this week taking grand kid to work at 2 am

 

[Snakebitten]

@powerboatr

Specifically regarding the question "android auto versus built in gps navigation"

I have gone back and forth a few times and in a couple of different Powerboost. But for me personally I now favor Alexa handling the onboard navigation over Android Auto.

In other vehicles, often Android Auto was/is both a more consistent experience (obviously) AND a superior experience over the native entertainment system, including navigation. But I have now concluded that Ford has Sync4 developed to a state where I usually don't even bother with Android Auto.

I know it's subjective, but I love the night theme of Sync4, so graphically I'm not disappointed. And again, Alexa is incredibly responsive in managing the native navigation. I no longer have to touch the screen regarding. Also, Android Auto disables my configurable tab in Sync and I have become attached to hitting the "email" tab while driving so I can get a glance of my Inbox in order to see if I need to stop and take care of business. Fantastic feature for me.

Having the Sync screen in Sync mode is the most efficient for accessing the information and options while I drive.

As for the streaming choices that I used to have to use Android Auto or pick up the phone for, Alexa can even manage that now. With Alexa setup for all the "skills" that support my favorite apps, I just tell her what I want to hear and from what source.

I'm not in any way bashing Android Auto. Rather I'm extolling how well Sync and the integration of Alexa is at pretty much accomplishing everything I used to need Android Auto for, as well as some things beyond Android Auto.

These trucks are amazing.

 

[Aron]

I like the map of the Nav better than Apple Maps for basic orientation of what the roads look like around me, but I use Apple Maps for actual navigation tasks of getting me from point A to B. I trust it more than Google Maps/Waze to accurately calculate travel time (Google always seems to estimate optimisticly in my experience). I mainly stick to Apple Maps because I like the functionality of populating an address from a text or a calendar appointment while I'm not even in the truck, and then having the map and directions already on and displayed when I get in and turn the truck on.

I also use Google maps occasionally...Google seems to give you more options when you're trying to search for a business, for example. But only if I can't find what I'm looking for with Apple maps first.

I don't use voice commands, so that functionality is lost with me, which further limits my use the built in Nav for day-to-day driving. I'm sure that that will change once I start towing long distances; I'm eager to try out the Nav that is supposed to take your trailer into acount.

 

[powerboatr]

my only issue with the native nav and google maps is it likes to route me through places i want to avoid
like I -12 bridge in baton rouge over the mississippi river , i prefer to go us 190 and avoid the bridge and its congestion along with the long long causeway before that.
i have to put in way points to make it avoid these places, even though its a shorter distance
on google i have to do the same,

i am almost everyday amazed at how and what the sync 4 can do over sync3.
my recent trip to south fl really educated me

i may seem dumb in the questions, but some of the stuff seems at times overwhelming in its application and user interface unless you sit in the truck for hours "learning"

i need to try alexa and see if she is a charmer.

 

[Snakebitten]

Sitting in the RV doing my research in comfort. Discover that the bike I want to purchase is at Bob's bicycle store in Webster Texas, a place I have never been before. I did SEE where it is on my laptop or smartphone before I go to the truck. And previously, I would pre-enable the route on the smartphone before leaving, and so Android Auto took the baton after I fired the truck up.

But now?
I have a different workflow.

I get in the truck and fire it up.
"Alexa, route me to Bob's bicycle shop in Webster Texas"

It's amazing how quickly she responds and confirms that what she thinks I requested is in fact what I meant. The Sync4 screen immediately switches to Nav and the route is in play.

My 2018 KingRanch Ecoboost was fully loaded. It was the best Ford had to offer a short time ago.
This truck and the Sync platform is a huge leap forward.

 

[roadPilot]

I get in the truck and fire it up.
"Alexa, route me to Bob's bicycle shop in Webster Texas"

That's how I've interacted with AA/Google Assistant for years.

 

[Snakebitten]

Understood.
The point is that Ford now has similar functionality that is native!

Again, not bashing Google or Android. Just pointing out how far Sync has come.

 

[Yves]

I was too cheap to pay for the Nav system as in my mind AA with Waze would do the trick fo me. The other thing I believe the Nav system you have to pay for map renewal every 3 years, not sure? Anyway if I would had be willing to pay the extra, I think the Nav system overhaul is better.

 

[Snakebitten]

I admit that with the truck being an INSANE $80k (I live in an RV that cost 1/4th that ??) I refuse to gimp it in any way over the subscriptions that are tied to full functionality.

I have 4 subscriptions?

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