Why Ford Just Became A Software Company

Shipkiller · 11-19-2011, 12:14 PM

Sometime early next year, Ford will mail USB sticks to about 250,000 owners of vehicles with its advanced touchscreen control panel. The stick will contain a major upgrade to the software for that screen. With it, Ford is breaking from a history as old as the auto industry, one in which the technology in a car essentially stayed unchanged from assembly line to junk yard.
Ford is significantly changing what....

http://www.informationweek.com/news/...iews/231902920

XMetal · 11-19-2011, 12:32 PM

That is exactly what I hate about having the "field" upgradable option on all things now. It just gives the manufacturers a way out for putting out a half ass product that cost them very little to fix should something goes wrong instead of spending the time upfront to thoroughly test and catch any bugs prior to it hitting the store. I don't know about you, but I don't want to end up being the "field" tester for these companies. More reasons not to be the first on the block to have the 1st or 2nd year "new" model.

Caddyshk · 11-19-2011, 12:49 PM

I love it - why go back to the Dealer and waste a bunch of time if you can plug and fix it yourself

inTgr8r · 11-19-2011, 12:56 PM

^exactly.
Plus the fact they didn't abandon the 1st gen buyers.

jophish17 · 11-19-2011, 03:08 PM

I like this from a sustainability aspect, not just manufacturing for the junk yard. I hope this works well!

11-19-2011, 12:14 PM	#1
Shipkiller Colonel 188 Rep 2,138 Posts Drives: Me Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Beach iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4M Coupe [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 Roadster [8.33]	Why Ford Just Became A Software Company Sometime early next year, Ford will mail USB sticks to about 250,000 owners of vehicles with its advanced touchscreen control panel. The stick will contain a major upgrade to the software for that screen. With it, Ford is breaking from a history as old as the auto industry, one in which the technology in a car essentially stayed unchanged from assembly line to junk yard. Ford is significantly changing what.... http://www.informationweek.com/news/...iews/231902920
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11-19-2011, 12:32 PM	#2
XMetal Colonel 1145 Rep 2,872 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	That is exactly what I hate about having the "field" upgradable option on all things now. It just gives the manufacturers a way out for putting out a half ass product that cost them very little to fix should something goes wrong instead of spending the time upfront to thoroughly test and catch any bugs prior to it hitting the store. I don't know about you, but I don't want to end up being the "field" tester for these companies. More reasons not to be the first on the block to have the 1st or 2nd year "new" model.
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11-19-2011, 12:49 PM	#3
Caddyshk M = Midlife Crisis 65 Rep 2,006 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MC Interlagos Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	I love it - why go back to the Dealer and waste a bunch of time if you can plug and fix it yourself __________________ 2006 Z4MC - #LL93158 SS Race Cans, RE X Pipe, DKF Sec 1, Fabspeed Headers, OE STB, AS Shifter, Dave Z CDV, GC Coil Overs, Stoptech lines, Hawk DTC Pads, RE Clutch Stop, RE Transmission Mounts, Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts, Poly FCAB & RTAB, LeatherZ M Shift Boot, Tekarbon Rear Spoiler, CF Grills, Advan RS DGM
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11-19-2011, 12:56 PM	#4
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2434 Rep 11,668 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	^exactly. Plus the fact they didn't abandon the 1st gen buyers. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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11-19-2011, 03:08 PM	#5
jophish17 Lieutenant 58 Rep 429 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Decatur, GA iTrader: (0)	I like this from a sustainability aspect, not just manufacturing for the junk yard. I hope this works well!
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