Web Browser exists in Sync4 natively. Just not user launch enabled.

[Snakebitten]

On a few seemingly random occasions, my Sync screen would suddenly turn black for a few seconds, and then render the login screen for the HTML admin page for my Asus router.
The first time it happened I just stared at it trying to register what I could possibly be looking at. But after providing my admin credentials, sure enough I was managing the Wi-Fi router in my RV from the Sync4 screen in the truck.

Looks like this, in case you think I imagined it.

Well now it has happened a couple of more times in the last couple of days and I was able to discern what triggers it.

It happens as I arrive home and then get within range of the truck being able to auto-connect to the SSID of the Asus router in the RV. However, it will only launch the Sync browser if the WAN connection on the router is down. Or put another way, if the truck connects to the Wi-Fi, but doesn't have internet connectivity.

Note that the red WiFi icon does NOT indicate that the truck failed to connect to the access point, but rather the access point can't provide gateway access to the internet. Also note that the icon just to the left of the Wi-Fi icon quickly goes red as well, although that icon is normally green at all times that I am driving down the road. I'm still not exactly clear what that icon is indicative of?

So I enter my Asus admin credentials using the Sync screen. Yes, it brings up a keyboard. Yes it is a touch screen enabled web browser.

After logging in, I can browse and manage any page of the Asus web management interface.
And then one more of the Sync4 connectivity icons goes red. It's the icon for cellular!

So in summary, if the truck connects to Wi-Fi access point on a router with a non-functioning WAN port, you get an html web browser launched.
AND you eventually get red indicators on 3 of the 5 connectivity icons.

I can leave the truck running and go into the RV and enable the WAN on the router.
What I would really like to explore is if it is possible to find the (a) trigger in Sync4 for launching the web browser that is obviously available in the OS?

It's right there. At our fingertips. No casting from another device. No smartphone or tablet or 3rd party device necessary. Why is it there, but not made available?

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[JJSnell]

Hmmm, very interesting...
Wonder if @Jesse-Infotainment has seen or run into this.
I'm sure there is some sort, of enable but probably disabled to not distract the driver.
I have a little dummy router I could link to and just not connect the WAN side and see what happens.
Good find Bruce...!

 

[staying_tuned]

Sync being on android means it’s running the full chromium package natively. I suspect the firmware has a web UI for technician access in certain scenarios. If you have access to an address bar see what is running on localhost

 

[Kanuck]

On a few seemingly random occasions, my Sync screen would suddenly turn black for a few seconds, and then render the login screen for the HTML admin page for my Asus router.
The first time it happened I just stared at it trying to register what I could possibly be looking at. But after providing my admin credentials, sure enough I was managing the Wi-Fi router in my RV from the Sync4 screen in the truck.

Looks like this, in case you think I imagined it.

Well now it has happened a couple of more times in the last couple of days and I was able to discern what triggers it.

It happens as I arrive home and then get within range of the truck being able to auto-connect to the SSID of the Asus router in the RV. However, it will only launch the Sync browser if the WAN connection on the router is down. Or put another way, if the truck connects to the Wi-Fi, but doesn't have internet connectivity.

Note that the red WiFi icon does NOT indicate that the truck failed to connect to the access point, but rather the access point can't provide gateway access to the internet. Also note that the icon just to the left of the Wi-Fi icon quickly goes red as well, although that icon is normally green at all times that I am driving down the road. I'm still not exactly clear what that icon is indicative of?

So I enter my Asus admin credentials using the Sync screen. Yes, it brings up a keyboard. Yes it is a touch screen enabled web browser.

After logging in, I can browse and manage any page of the Asus web management interface.
And then one more of the Sync4 connectivity icons goes red. It's the icon for cellular!

So in summary, if the truck connects to Wi-Fi access point on a router with a non-functioning WAN port, you get an html web browser launched.
AND you eventually get red indicators on 3 of the 5 connectivity icons.

I can leave the truck running and go into the RV and enable the WAN on the router.
What I would really like to explore is if it is possible to find the (a) trigger in Sync4 for launching the web browser that is obviously available in the OS?

It's right there. At our fingertips. No casting from another device. No smartphone or tablet or 3rd party device necessary. Why is it there, but not made available?

Maybe, for some reason, the browser can not be inhibited when the truck is in motion. Or doing so will cause errors to happen in communications or some of the modules.

 

[KTM753]

Sync being on android means it’s running the full chromium package natively. I suspect the firmware has a web UI for technician access in certain scenarios. If you have access to an address bar see what is running on localhost

I agree with you, only for Engineering test purposes. Never meant for end user.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

This was possibly added in the one update long ago. It enabled connecting to public WiFi. Some of that requires you to login before accessing internet. When your WAN is down, it assumes you need to login to access internet. Then you get the keyboard enabled browser at the gateway webpage.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Sync being on android means it’s running the full chromium package natively. I suspect the firmware has a web UI for technician access in certain scenarios. If you have access to an address bar see what is running on localhost

Not Android to my knowledge. Next Gen sync will be.

 

[Snakebitten]

Maybe, for some reason, the browser can not be inhibited when the truck is in motion. Or doing so will cause errors to happen in communications or some of the modules.

It absolutely is inhibited while in motion.
My RV is about 1/4 mile from my property entry. So when I get about 250' from the RV, is when the truck connects to the Wi-Fi. I'm only traveling at about 3-4mph and had just negotiated a 90° right turn in the woods. That's when the Sync4 screen goes black (all but the sidecard and bottom tabs) and the browser loads. However the screen says "function unavailable while vehicle is in motion". Similar to what you get with other features like email.

As I reach the RV and come to a halt, the browser renders on screen.

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

Very cool find there,. It very much reminds of of the why you had to log into hotel internet access years ago. You first would attach to there WiFi system and then upon opening your browser you were confronted with the hotels home page, there you were asked for your room number and walla you had internet access. I think the PB land yacht is just looking for a comfortable room for the night and doesn't have a reservation. As a good inn keeper you could put him up in thr barn for the night, there's a nice lift in there if he's looking for a workout to relieve stress!

 

[Snakebitten]

Sync being on android means it’s running the full chromium package natively. I suspect the firmware has a web UI for technician access in certain scenarios. If you have access to an address bar see what is running on localhost

No address bar.
But I am going to see if I can embed a URL somewhere in the Asus management interface and see if it's possible to keep the browser session alive on Sync if a hyperlink takes me beyond the WAN interface.

Of course I have to break the WAN to trigger the Sync4 browser. Then go to the router and enable WAN. Go back to the truck and click the hyperlink for an external URL.

I have a suspicion though that there's some diagnostic or technician mode that gains access to the browser. I'm hoping a guru will find the Easter Egg?

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

Are you able to interact with the routers settings from the truck? Can you get the keyboard to come up in the truck to enter things on the asus?

 

[Snakebitten]

Are you able to interact with the routers settings from the truck? Can you get the keyboard to come up in the truck to enter things on the asus?

Absolutely.
It's no different than accessing the router with a laptop.
Except on Sync4, it's more like doing so with a tablet because it's touchscreen and the keyboard is provided by Sync.

 

[HammaMan]

Not at all surprising to see. I believe the manual is web browser based. They give access to more apps on the 15.5" screen. The mach-e has youtube for instance as well as some games. Wouldn't be surprised if it could be enabled in the F150 12" screen as well.

 

[powerboatr]

I have read this now 4 times
1st read taxed my little Grey matter knowledge.
4th read has me wondering if I can get mine to do the trick as I get close to house
Our new fiber modem is very strong outside of my half a Faraday cage
Thanks bruce

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

So the screen becomes like a big tablet. I was actually, trying to jog your memory with my first post, but your right if you could somehow get the ASUS to offer up a search engine that might get you passed thru to the internet?

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