Ford Upgrades MyFord Touch: New Version Simpler, Faster, Easier To Navigate

MyFord Touch made simpler for 2013

If you're one of the many Ford buyers who purchased your vehicle with the MyFord Touch system, but then became disenchanted with it due to slowness, freezing, difficult navigation and other complaints, Ford listened and has made some major changes.

The updated MyFord Touch debuts next week on the all-new 2013 Ford Escape small crossover that will be revealed at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, as well as the 2013 Ford Flex crossover and the Taurus sedan.

What's involved in the upgrade

In essence, Ford took to heart all the customer complaints, as well as the stinging downgrade from the latest Consumer Reports magazine reliability survey, and made the following changes:

• Made display screens simpler, featuring larger type, fewer options and less clutter
• Overhauled the graphics on more than 1,000 screens
• Added a 3-D display for map data, realistic-looking display of road signs and freeway exits
• Faster response for touch-screen inputs, better voice recognition
• Faster phone connection when entering the vehicle
• Improved echo and noise cancellation for calls made through MyFord Touch using a Bluetooth connection

There's more to the changes, of course. These are just the highlights. For more information, see coverage in TheCarConnection. Also, check out the video below which walks you through some of the ways Ford wants to make your life simpler and easier to navigate on the road using MyFord Touch.

And the good news is that the upgrade will soon be available free of charge to existing MyFord Touch customers. The automaker plans to mail out a USB drive so consumers can self-perform the upgrade, or Ford dealers can do it.

Separately, and announced last month, Ford has upgraded SYNC to be able to read text messages aloud. Consumers can find out if their vehicle is eligible for the upgrade by going to the SyncMyRide website and entering their vehicle identification number.

Both the MyFord Touch and SYNC upgrades should go a long way toward helping to reduce distracted driving, as well as calm the frazzled nerves of existing MyFord Touch and SYNC customers.