spongers

Even portable ones are not free, or they didn't used to be. I had a NUVI and had to pay $79 per year if I wanted new maps.

Mine come up automatically when a caller calls me. I didn't have to transfer them over, it must have done it when it synced my phonebook. I have a Droid DNA

I have seen that process for guns and sun glasses. Wasn't aware there were companies out there that could hydro dip anything! Let us know what it looks like when you are done and how it went!

In my 2011, you remove the silver pieces on either side by just lifting up on them from the center console area, and they come completely off. Then under those are some bolts that hold down the face to the dash. Pretty easy.

wlepse, honestly man, it is just your unit (and yes there may be a small, very small, minority out there like you), but that is probably the worst I have ever heard or read. I would sit in my local Ford dealer, right in the middle of the lobby, until they replaced every sync or MFT related part in the car (GPS antenna, microphone, APIM and all other parts, climate control buttons, literally everything), or gave me a new car. I have had my fair share of annoyances with the system, but no where near your level of issues. To me, again, this proves Akirby's point though. Your problems are in the vast MINORITY of the SYNC/MFT problems, not majority, which does not warrant a class action lawsuit. It MAY warrant a personal lawsuit on your part to the dealer and Ford, but that is stretching it too in my book.

Wlepse, your response makes no sense. How is Ford in a similar position to a software company that doesn't control what hardware their software is used on (in your own scenario)? Ford can tightly control the hardware they receive for the APIM (and other related parts, remember it isn't just the APIM) and can specify the hardware in that APIM to the highest degree. It is their part, and they are used just for their cars. They are used no where else. I am sorry, but your argument falls flat. I completely agree with both of you really, but do think Ford has done a lot to make it right. While they may be sugar coating the problem, all companies do that, it is called good business (until that sugar coating gets you in trouble of course). I have said it on this forum a few times before. It is absolutely amazing that Ford has done ANYTHING for this system after it has been released. They have released continuous updates, and tried to fix the problems, to no avail in most cases of course, but that isn't the point. The point is they are trying. Using your brake scenario, when was the last time a car company has replaced your brakes for poor performance, and not because of a government mandated recall? Or when have they tried to improve your brake performance just becase, after the sale? The answer to both is NEVER. Car companies historically do not care about a car after it has been released. Instead the focus on improving the failures of the previous model by releasing a new model, and asking you to buy that new model if you want the new features. End of story. What Ford is doing with MFT is absolutely new ground for a car company, on many levels (software development first and foremost, but also trying to improve it after the sale). Please keep this in mind: Ford owes you NOTHING for the failures or perceived failures of MFT. They are trying to improve the product for the benefit of current and future customers, while at the same time ensuring they stay on the good side of their customers.

I have this issue with my DROID DNA running a Sense 5 ROM (the same Sense 5 you are using on your HTC One). Personally I think it has something to do with the software of the phone since I can install a different ROM (Sense 4 based) and get text messages just fine. Go to Sense 5, bam, issue!

I put both of mine under the floor panel in the cargo area. I had to modify the plastic trays that go around the spare tire to do this, but it worked out well. There is an amp mounted to a board, then mounted to the metal floor on either side of the spare tire. Can't see a thing with the floor panel down. My sub (JL Audio stealth) is in the stock location too so it doesn't even look like I have a system installed. I do not have pics with me, but can post some later.

These look awesome! I would definitely be interested in buying these when they are released!

I see no other way to get an amp pre-out from the factory deck to the amp. http://www.crutchfield.com/g_318850/Factory-Sound-Processors.html?tp=6870 There are some fairly cheap options on Crutchfield.

If you replace the stock speakers and add an amp, in my opinion, yes you do need a signal processor. The stock deck sounds out audio based on EQ settings that work specifically for the stock speakers, which are fairly crappy (yes, even the Sony ones). Mostly my opinion, though some what educated based on my experience with this system.

The installer is wrong. I have an REQ5 stripping all sound from the SYNC system after the deck, sending the signal from the REQ to two amps (one for a JL stealth sub, and one 4-channel for new door speakers I installed, and my system works fine. As Dingo noted, the different functions have independent volumes so there is no problem with them being too loud. Works like a charm for me and my Edge sounds amazing. BTW: I have a 2011 SEL with MFT.

If I can program a Nexus 7 to interface with the varying control modules, the interface itself could become faster because the nexus 7 handles all of the calling, and can move on to another task faster than the MFT can currently (i.e going from climate control section to Nav). On a nexus 7 it is an app, and multitasking is much better. Ideally, I would like to replace everything, but I am sure that is not possible. Maybe I am reaching for the stars here.

I would like to keep as much stock functionality in general, just replacing the touchscreen with the Nexus 7. The coding part I can do, just wondering if there are any hardware interfaces already built for the Nexus (or USB in general I guess), or if there are any other aftermarket hardware pieces out there that replace what is in the MFT system already. I know this is going to be a hard endeavour, just want to see if anyone else has done this, or attempted to at least.

Yeah, I have seen that, and I made my own custom mount, but I want to fully replace the system with the Nexus 7, not just have it interface with the MFT. I called soundman and they want $800 for that little piece of fiberglass, BTW. Anyone else? No one has tried this at all?