Ford says next-gen Ranger is the smartest Ranger ever

Ford knows customers want a pickup with a smart, functional interior with a high level of well-integrated technology. And next-gen Ranger is the smartest Ranger ever, with an enhanced user experience that means owners can transition seamlessly from home or work to their vehicle.

From the new-generation SYNC 4A infotainment system to large-format screens that behave more like smartphones, and digital instrument displays replacing analog clusters, the next-gen Ranger pushes the boundaries of what a smart truck should be with its customer-focused technology.

“Customers had an overwhelming response to the next-gen Ranger’s new interior design and the technologies our teams had integrated on the inside,” said Graham Pearson, Ranger vehicle program director. “Once again, Ranger will re-define the segment with a premium interior that clearly shows people don’t have to sacrifice interior comfort or technologies just because they desire a truck.”

Segment-defining smarts

Next-gen Ranger integrates Ford’s latest connectivity and driving technologies for a seamless connected experience whether customers are using their truck for work, family, or play.

An 8-inch color, reconfigurable, digital instrument panel allows more information to be presented to the driver than an analog system. Additionally, the large-format, 10.1- or 12-inch infotainment screens, featuring Ford’s cutting-edge SYNC 4A communication and entertainment system, have helped declutter the dashboard.

The next-gen Ranger also takes lighting to the next level with full LED lighting for both front and rear, including available first-in-class Matrix LED headlights.

Digital display

Next-gen Ranger has done away with a physical instrument cluster for things like the speedometer, replacing them with an 8-inch digital instrument panel that can be customized. These displays boast a start-up and farewell animation and a digital speedometer and tachometer. The graphics also feature realistic body-style avatars.

Depending on the variant, owners can toggle between layouts showing information such as driver-assist technologies, tachometer on or off, and extra gauges. There’s also a ‘calm view’, which removes information on demand from the display.

Because next-gen Ranger features on- and off-road driving modes, the instrument panel displays a different theme for each selected drive mode, with animated mode changes when the driver scrolls from one to the other.

Smarter, intuitive connectivity with SYNC 4A

At the heart of next-gen Ranger’s technology story is the SYNC 4A communications and entertainment system. This system offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and displays the latest features used to make the SYNC 4A system easier to navigate.

Big screen

Whether the next-gen Ranger is equipped with a 10.1- or a 12-inch infotainment screen, there’s a customizable split-screen setup with an information-on-demand panel always available at the bottom of the screen. This displays key information like the user’s connected smartphone and more.

The team chose a large-format tablet screen because it allowed for a good depiction of navigation while still leaving room at the bottom of the screen for things such as climate and entertainment controls.

Fewer buttons, more capability

Many of the traditional driving mode controls have been moved from the dash and center console to their own dedicated display on the SYNC screen.

For example, with one button press, drivers can go to Ranger’s dedicated off-road screen where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch, roll angles, and other controls.

The cabin climate and entertainment can be controlled via the SYNC screen, with additional physical controls mounted just below the screen for quick and easy adjustments.

Look all-around

The screen is linked to a 360-degree camera to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain while out exploring. The system allows the driver to see what’s in front of or behind the vehicle as well as a top-down view of the area around the vehicle, including blind spots, for added confidence.

Change gear

The team fitted the higher variants of the next-gen Ranger with a first-in-class, short-throw e-shifter and electric parking brake for a more high-tech feel. This change not only allows for greater accessibility for drivers but also provides the opportunity for increased advanced driver assist systems (ADAS).

Keep it charged

Next-gen Ranger now allows customers to keep their smartphone wirelessly charged and connected to SYNC 4A via a charging pad at the base of the center console. Smartphones also can be charged via a cable to a USB port or with the available 12V/240V sockets and the 400W inverter that bring power to the box.

Power up high

With more and more drivers using dashcams, the team installed a high-mounted USB outlet alongside the rearview mirror. This Type-A USB outlet converts 12V power into 5V USB output and is designed to power an external GPS or dash camera. It also can be used to charge a smartphone, although this outlet isn’t connected to the SYNC 4A system.

Let there be light

Next-gen Ranger’s model-dependent segment-first Matrix LED headlights boast a raft of clever features, including auto dynamic leveling and speed-dependent lighting that can adjust the intensity of the beam in front of the vehicle depending on the speed at which you’re traveling.

The headlights also offer both static and dynamic bending capability as well as glare-free high beams, which help block light that could otherwise temporarily blind other drivers and cyclists.

Keep your cool

Next-gen Ranger also features a new climate control system with a compressor featuring variable-stroke technology. This technology improves refinement through reduced compressor cycling and reduced engine load resulting in fuel efficiency gains. Owners will be able to access the climate controls via SYNC 4A or hard buttons at the base of the screen.

A new sensor is able to measure cabin temperature and humidity to quickly adjust modes and blower speeds to maintain a comfortable cabin in all weather conditions. For the first time on Ranger, rear console-mounted registers are available for automatic and manual systems, improving cabin comfort for those in the back seats.

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Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro unboxing, hands-on

11/06/2020

Huawei’s Watch GT series has been a huge success mainly through the variety of features it offers but also because it comes in such an attractive design for everyday use.

The new and updated Watch GT 2 family has just been announced in the Philippines and we got first dibs on the Watch GT 2 Pro. In a nutshell, the features remain pretty much the same but the material used to make it has been refreshed so not only does it look more premium, but it should also be tougher.

The device is packaged in this premium-looking box. Removing the cover introduces us to the device itself which is displayed in a way to greet the user.

The most noticeable thing, obviously, is its large watch face which we’ll discuss more later on. Further digging into the package and we’ll come across the accessories included like its USB-C cable and charging cradle for wireless charging. The warranty card and quick start guide also come in the box.

I personally like how the Watch GT 2 Pro is packaged. Although there are not that many contents inside, they were able to make a simple box presentable and obviously thought-out.

Going to the device itself, the Watch GT 2 Pro carries a 1.39-inch AMOLED display with 454 x 454 resolution. Having this kind of display means colors are expected to be vibrant while blacks naturally have deep dark richness in them.

It’s also worth noting that the glass protecting the screen is made of sapphire — the same glass that Apple uses to reinforce a lot of its products. Sapphire is harder to scratch than Corning’s Gorilla Glass so that should help keep your watch scratch-free.

The material of its chassis, on the other hand, is no slouch either. The device is made of a titanium body so not only does it look really sleek and feel light, but it’s also resistant to extreme temperatures.

There are two buttons — the Power button up top and a Function button on the bottom. They look simple and are sized decently for easy navigation and input.

Meanwhile, the backplate is produced with ceramic as the main material. This means it’s less likely to irritate the skin so you can wear the watch for long periods of time without developing any usage discomforts.

And speaking of comfort while wearing it, the black fluoroelastomer strap should also be lightweight and breathable for the wrist while looking simple and elegant.

As for the setup, pairing the device with the required Huawei Health app was quick and painless. It took a bit of time when the update was installing on the watch itself but overall, it was a smooth setup experience.

Once pairing and setup are done, you can put it on and immediately access its features. Just like before, Huawei offers more than 100 workout modes so pretty much whatever you’ll be doing can be tracked by the Watch GT 2 Pro.

In addition to keeping tabs on your workouts, you can also track your sleep patterns just like before. The goal is to maintain healthy sleeping habits through in-app suggestions based on your daily data.

Additional features for the Watch GT 2 Pro include a 5 ATM water resistance meaning you can take it to the pool, in the shower, and the likes. Just don’t go diving with it. It also comes with Sp02 detection to monitor the oxygen level in your blood, heart rate monitoring, and air pressure monitoring for added weather info.

Since a lot of its features are geared towards fitness, it even comes with its own speakers and 4GB of storage to store music for playback when you exercise or run on your own, for example. And just like its previous iteration, this device promises a two-week battery life and supports wireless charging. So far, we’ve had it on for three days now and we still haven’t charged it from out of the box.

We’ll be taking this out for a spin and prepare the full review. Meanwhile, if you have any questions you’d like answered, leave them in the comments and we’ll include them for our upcoming review.

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