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You Can Reboot Your Computer; Why Not Your Car?

Forbes -- Owners of late-model Ford and Lincoln brand vehicles recently received something unusual in the mail: a thumb-sized USB flash drive.

Ford Motor mailed more than 250,000 of the tiny data storage devices to its customers in response to widespread criticism of the company’s MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch dashboard entertainment system. Each memory stick contained a much-needed software update to fix bugs and make the system faster and more user-friendly. Owners simply plug the device into their car’s USB port and follow the prompts on the dashboard screen (or have a dealer do it).

Of course, there are a couple of hitches: To install the new software, the car needs to be running for about an hour. And you can’t use the radio. (Gee, that’s not inconvenient.)

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Submitted Apr 16, 2012 By: eromitlab

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eddyp94 Champion Author Ontario Posts:8,163 Points:1,660,835 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:01:51 AM Ignore eddyp94 Report Abuse Don't care, just lower oil prices...
ibhenry Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,536 Points:456,445 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:01:40 AM Ignore ibhenry Report Abuse sounds like an easy fix.
fatboy97 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,464 Points:1,703,575 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:00:43 AM Ignore fatboy97 Report Abuse An hour to install without using your radio... there has to be a better and faster way to do this... even a smartphone is better than that and can usually do it via OTA (Over The Air).
boborobot All-Star Author Michigan Posts:501 Points:413,075 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:00:32 AM Ignore boborobot Report Abuse What does this have to do with gas prices?
mitchells Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,851 Points:1,120,810 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:00:05 AM Ignore mitchells Report Abuse This is the same problem I see when deciding between the built in nagivation systems (for $2000), or a stand alone GPS unit (for $200). The stand alone I can update on my PC at home in about 5 min, but I can't exactly drive my car into my apartment, or run an USB extension cord 100+ feet to the car. So how is anyone supposed to keep the car based navigation up to date? You can't. That's why I'll always stick with my Garmin, which I LOVE!!
dlzastera Champion Author Minnesota Posts:4,490 Points:1,019,345 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:59:22 AM Ignore dlzastera Report Abuse Comtrol alt delete.
bigbing64 Champion Author Memphis Posts:1,007 Points:250,870 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:58:15 AM Ignore bigbing64 Report Abuse It will definitely be a better solution to get this wirelessly. Long gone are the days when you can actually work on your own car and repair most things in an afternoon. I still have a 1983 Silverado that has a carburetor and manual everything. It's nice to still be able to work on that truck without electronics. The only up to date electronic on board is the new radio I installed. Other than that it's all factory...
RabunDog Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,995 Points:1,220,710 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:58:13 AM Ignore RabunDog Report Abuse interesting
mberg Champion Author Houston Posts:3,787 Points:955,730 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:57:43 AM Ignore mberg Report Abuse This should save us countless trips to the new car dealer to fix many kinds of problems covered by recall notices.
tauro514 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:3,125 Points:1,797,315 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:57:32 AM Ignore tauro514 Report Abuse really.
bigginTX Champion Author Texas Posts:2,696 Points:335,055 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:57:29 AM Ignore bigginTX Report Abuse Chief Engineer Scott once remarked, "The more they overthink the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain." Of course the character is fictional, but the truth of the statement holds.
w4kh Champion Author Tennessee Posts:11,650 Points:2,224,990 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:57:13 AM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse Hard to imagine that car manufacturers hadn't already built instant upgrade technology into the vehicles... 10% of recalls are for software updates? Amazing...
garyr86 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,991 Points:602,525 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:57:08 AM Ignore garyr86 Report Abuse Car mechanics will never be out of work and neither will IT people.
orcar Champion Author Boise Posts:2,043 Points:773,240 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:55:49 AM Ignore orcar Report Abuse Everyone over 60 will be asking their grandkids to come over and load the info.
azadus All-Star Author Houston Posts:554 Points:110,975 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:55:31 AM Ignore azadus Report Abuse ok
Lizzylou Champion Author Stockton Posts:8,818 Points:2,357,285 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:55:29 AM Ignore Lizzylou Report Abuse Will this mean auto mechanics will be out of work???
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:8,898 Points:1,730,035 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:55:10 AM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Can we reboot our politicians?
memo81 Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,328 Points:440,500 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:55:09 AM Ignore memo81 Report Abuse ok
kosciak Champion Author Hartford Posts:1,106 Points:531,275 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:55:08 AM Ignore kosciak Report Abuse Running for an hour?why?
PathTrack Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,201 Points:134,545 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:55:01 AM Ignore PathTrack Report Abuse Put it in the hands of Microsoft, they'll update it every freekin' day!
schvanda63 Champion Author Lansing Posts:1,304 Points:261,825 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:54:54 AM Ignore schvanda63 Report Abuse "Owners simply plug the device into their car’s USB port" Why can't they do a wireless download through the satellite radio connection?
Z34 Champion Author Toronto Posts:15,506 Points:2,685,250 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:54:00 AM Ignore Z34 Report Abuse Do you suppose that the Ukranian Hackers know about this?
bginsj Champion Author San Jose Posts:1,848 Points:1,230,635 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:53:53 AM Ignore bginsj Report Abuse intertesting that after all this time customers are aloud to do it themselves
bodu All-Star Author Vancouver Posts:906 Points:279,310 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:52:29 AM Ignore bodu Report Abuse "More complexity and reliance on computers makes it more vulnerable to EMP. " Any we get those so often? Though I have to shudder to think, It's a matter of time for viruses to jump into these systems......
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:9,453 Points:1,741,970 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:51:52 AM Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse Wait till your car's hard drive crashes!
NMRawker Champion Author New Mexico Posts:1,140 Points:160,615 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:51:51 AM Ignore NMRawker Report Abuse That's nice they did this!
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,812 Points:1,602,060 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:51:40 AM Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse Sounds like a plan
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:26,535 Points:2,897,120 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:51:40 AM Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse Interesting. I wasn't aware that cars could have 100,000,000 lines of code.
paul12011 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,758 Points:90,955 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:50:43 AM Ignore paul12011 Report Abuse ridiculous ever heard of quality control
vizilo Champion Author British Columbia Posts:5,729 Points:2,590,650 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:50:16 AM Ignore vizilo Report Abuse this is progress?
40mpgsaturn Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:2,480 Points:517,630 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:50:02 AM Ignore 40mpgsaturn Report Abuse Cars are way too complicated!!
WebGabe Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,349 Points:492,620 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:49:58 AM Ignore WebGabe Report Abuse Hmm.
Tutootin Champion Author Toronto Posts:10,101 Points:3,073,430 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:48:48 AM Ignore Tutootin Report Abuse EXTREMESNOW, My thought exactly!!!
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:9,652 Points:2,615,630 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:48:41 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse Have a friend that has a new Lincoln, He can park in garage the next morning all windows are half down and sum roof is open. Now isn't that handy...
ntass1 Champion Author Edmonton Posts:3,775 Points:724,025 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:48:28 AM Ignore ntass1 Report Abuse ok
tarheelcoastie Champion Author Greensboro Posts:5,176 Points:1,107,155 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:47:37 AM Ignore tarheelcoastie Report Abuse I had heard the Ford MyTouch was ready for primetime despite all the hype and commercials. Still will never again buy another Ford or GM!
RochBear Champion Author Minnesota Posts:10,449 Points:1,738,915 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:46:52 AM Ignore RochBear Report Abuse Running for an hour? SHeesh, they need to get some better programmers.
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,339 Points:2,254,755 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:46:31 AM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse The typical new car contains more computing power than my first computer. Programming will become increasing important - as will fixing program bugs.
thunderstruck All-Star Author Chicago Posts:705 Points:730,755 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:46:29 AM Ignore thunderstruck Report Abuse So owners have to waste at least a gallon of gas to run the car for an hour because Ford released a car with crappy software?
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,067 Points:1,387,845 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:46:26 AM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse I'm driving down a mountain with hair pin turns. Oh crap I just got the "Blue Screen of Death". Kinda gives it a whole new meaning!
12mpgnavigator Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,759 Points:647,910 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:45:29 AM Ignore 12mpgnavigator Report Abuse haha, good luck
DarthDadJr Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,297 Points:1,517,495 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:45:15 AM Ignore DarthDadJr Report Abuse Didn't Ford think at some future date they would need to update the software installed?
BlueTucson Champion Author Syracuse Posts:2,145 Points:1,245,030 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:44:55 AM Ignore BlueTucson Report Abuse I just hope the system is more user friendly than my computer's update system. I don't want a bunch of annoying pop-up windows informaing me that my steering system needs to be updated or my brakes need an urgent patch. Even worse, I don't want a warning that my car needs to be restarted in order to continue. Also, I'm worried that the ability to easily update faulty code will lead to automotive software being faultier to begin with since the repair costs will be minimal. Be prepared for glitchy automobiles.
BlueTucson Champion Author Syracuse Posts:2,145 Points:1,245,030 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:44:55 AM Ignore BlueTucson Report Abuse I just hope the system is more user friendly than my computer's update system. I don't want a bunch of annoying pop-up windows informaing me that my steering system needs to be updated or my brakes need an urgent patch. Even worse, I don't want a warning that my car needs to be restarted in order to continue. Also, I'm worried that the ability to easily update faulty code will lead to automotive software being faultier to begin with since the repair costs will be minimal. Be prepared for glitchy automobiles.
herndonks Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,116 Points:211,685 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:44:32 AM Ignore herndonks Report Abuse too much tech in cars
hwmillerster Champion Author Missouri Posts:6,769 Points:1,461,345 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:43:29 AM Ignore hwmillerster Report Abuse More complexity and reliance on computers makes it more vulnerable to EMP.
paulp24 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:4,517 Points:818,325 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:43:23 AM Ignore paulp24 Report Abuse cool
BillHeatherL Champion Author Alberta Posts:7,622 Points:1,920,630 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:43:01 AM Ignore BillHeatherL Report Abuse glad i don't have a computer in my truck
BudsterMO Champion Author Kansas City Posts:3,690 Points:699,180 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:42:50 AM Ignore BudsterMO Report Abuse Good
timarcos Champion Author Corpus Christi Posts:5,724 Points:1,149,940 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:42:41 AM Ignore timarcos Report Abuse really.
EXTREMESNOW Champion Author Medford Posts:8,905 Points:1,820,465 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:42:20 AM Ignore EXTREMESNOW Report Abuse Said it before, the more a car has to offer the more that can go wrong.
mattymattmatt All-Star Author Scranton Posts:889 Points:360,740 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 8:42:04 AM Ignore mattymattmatt Report Abuse If it's an improvement then hey, why not? There are always updates to software, so why not car software, too? Kinda sucks that the car has to be for an hour though.