Navigation update, anyone try it yet? (2021 Map Update for Uconnect® 4C NAV w/ 12" touchscreen (v3 SBX): For U.S. Only)

[LV426]

So has anyone had any success installing this Navigation update? Starting this thread to kind of keep track and see how it goes.
I assume most will pass because they are making us pay for it ($149) and I believe mostly everyone uses Waze/google maps which is better, more reliable and FREE...+

Also, did anyone get an update that this was available? Its hard to imagine that they would not provide some sort of communication that something like this is available but Uconnect seems like the Radio Shack of vehicle infotainment so I guess I'm not surprised.

 

[LV426]

Yeah, I think people are just pissed (at least myself) because they charged and extra $2085 for the latest and greatest radio/nav but put old (very old apparently, 2017) maps and failed to keep it updated/patched. I sort of wish I just stuck with the smaller one now. I know realistically the HW is not worth 2k, so all that went into the SW, etc... So I expect fully supported software for this particular device. It's a premium gadget that is receiving subpar to non existent support basically. I have some much older & cheaper crap that still gets decent updates and support from the manufacturer.
So after seeing the BS that the 12" UC4 people are dealing with , why the hell would I go out of my was for they newer UC5 system seeing that they don't support things all to well.

 

[HAL9001]

This all handy dandy, I get that, but when you purchase a 2021 Map Update, you should get a 2021 update not a 2020. Why do they sell a 1 year old map and claim 2021 Update is beyond me.

It takes a relatively long time to collect and then verify and approve map changes as legalities and liabilities are involved and the data must be thoroughly vetted before it's released. That takes time and effort. It's not unusual for "new" map updates to be several quarters old, this is still considered a "new" map. It's dated the fourth quarter of 2020 so, that's not that old in terms of what it takes to generate and approve this type of data. It's actually kind of amazing they can do it as fast as they do, this is not an easy task. In industry, it typically takes a year or more to do anything significant.

The next version, being developed now, may not be out until the third or fourth quarter of 2022, so this is the newest data available. It's all about the logistics, costs, and legalities involved. Many things released in 2021 were developed in 2020 or even earlier. At least they're honest about it, they could have been deceitful.

This update is optional, many choose to skip updates until they figure it's worth it while others always want the latest data available regardless of cost. At least they're providing everyone a choice.

 

[djevox]

I’m going to be honest here- I don’t give a crap about their SDLC or licensing problems. They should position themselves to move quickly before they release a product.

 

[HAL9001]

Yeah, I think people are just pissed (at least myself) because they charged and extra $2085 for the latest and greatest radio/nav but put old (very old apparently, 2017) maps and failed to keep it updated/patched. I sort of wish I just stuck with the smaller one now. I know realistically the HW is not worth 2k, so all that went into the SW, etc... So I expect fully supported software for this particular device. It's a premium gadget that is receiving subpar to non existent support basically. I have some much older & cheaper crap that still gets decent updates and support from the manufacturer.
So after seeing the BS that the 12" UC4 people are dealing with , why the hell would I go out of my was for they newer UC5 system seeing that they don't support things all to well.

That may be a legitimate gripe but financial and market forces will always previal.

When you purchase a piece of custom-made equipment for a specific vehicle line you can't expect it to be at par with something like Google Maps, iOS/Andriod smartphones, or even Garmin GPS's where millions upon millions of dollars and millions of hours of manpower are put into the development. It's actually amazing that vehicle manufacturers can do as well as they do with such custom equipment. They borrow off and license technologies that were developed for computers, smartphones, and aftermarket GPS systems where billions of dollars were spent on development. Years ago such tech wasn't available.

It costs around $1,100 for the best smartphones yet the Uconnects can cost twice that and don't have anywhere near the capabilities. This is because of the scale of production for each. Smartphones probably outsell Uconnect systems 100,000 to one or more. So, the price will be a lot lower and the development will be a lot better. It's all about the scale of production. The same is true for support. RAM/Stellantis is not going to invest millions in support for these units whereas Samsung, Apple, and Google will.

Many of us know this going in and we generally have the option of purchasing upgraded vehicle electronics or not. I knew the Uconnect GPS guidance would never be as good as Google Maps yet I purchased it anyway. So I really have no one to blame but myself. For short trips, I use the convenient Uconnect GPS more than Google Maps, but for anything serious, I use Andriod Auto and Google. It's nice to have a choice.

No one has to buy a Uconnect GPS option and we all have the ability to use our smartphones for guidance. So simply skip this Uconnect upgrade if you don't feel it's worth it. It's your choice.

 

[HAL9001]

I’m going to be honest here- I don’t give a crap about their SDLC or licensing problems. They should position themselves to move quickly before they release a product.

In industry, doing almost anything in less than one year is moving quickly.

 

[djevox]

In industry, doing almost anything in less than one year is moving quickly.

I move quicker than that and I work for a group in the Gov’t where petabytes of data come in daily. Sorry, I have no sympathy for them, but if you do then that’s cool. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I appreciate you sharing your opinion.

 

[MannyN]

Sygic comes out with a new map every month. They have even new streets across my house where new houses are just build.

 

[HAL9001]

Sygic comes out with a new map every month. They have even new streets across my house where new houses are just build.

Sygic is a GPS navigation company, that's their primary business. RAM is in business to sell trucks.

Look, I'm not trying to make excuses for Stellantis, I wish the updates were free too. I'm simply trying to explain why they do what they do.

 

[LV426]

I thought the Navigation software was supplied by HERE Technologies, seems like they are a big company that should be on top of things.

"With 35 years of experience in mapmaking and 8,000 employees across 56 countries, we are the world's leading location platform company.
Today, more than 160 million vehicles run on HERE map data. Our global ecosystem of customers, partners and developers across a variety of industries includes some of the biggest and best-known brands. "

HERE Navigation | Connected Navigation | Applications | HERE

Deliver an always up-to-date navigation experience to your customers. Reduce your development and lifecycle costs with a flexible SaaS on-demand navigation solution. Learn more.

www.here.com

 

[djevox]

I thought the Navigation software was supplied by HERE Technologies, seems like they are a big company that should be on top of things.

"With 35 years of experience in mapmaking and 8,000 employees across 56 countries, we are the world's leading location platform company.
Today, more than 160 million vehicles run on HERE map data. Our global ecosystem of customers, partners and developers across a variety of industries includes some of the biggest and best-known brands. "

HERE Navigation | Connected Navigation | Applications | HERE

Deliver an always up-to-date navigation experience to your customers. Reduce your development and lifecycle costs with a flexible SaaS on-demand navigation solution. Learn more.

www.here.com

I didn’t follow that link so I don’t know if they still use that company or not, but that’s another good point. All they are doing is packaging a third party library/software suite for use on their hardware. It doesn’t pay to reinvent the wheel. On top of that, they had two different types of nav-based hardware for the RAM to worry about, now they have four. Of course, there are more Chrysler vehicles than the ram, but I could put money on the fact that each vehicle model has their own integration team. I only dream that my life would be that easy to only have to worry about four products.

 

[LV426]

Yup, the update page has their info at the bottom so I guess it's their maps/updates, etc...

 

[HAL9001]

I thought the Navigation software was supplied by HERE Technologies, seems like they are a big company that should be on top of things.

"With 35 years of experience in mapmaking and 8,000 employees across 56 countries, we are the world's leading location platform company.
Today, more than 160 million vehicles run on HERE map data. Our global ecosystem of customers, partners and developers across a variety of industries includes some of the biggest and best-known brands. "

HERE Navigation | Connected Navigation | Applications | HERE

Deliver an always up-to-date navigation experience to your customers. Reduce your development and lifecycle costs with a flexible SaaS on-demand navigation solution. Learn more.

www.here.com

Yes, auto manufactures are in the business of manufacturing vehicles not map data. So they purchase maps from digital map companies, which in and of itself is a big business globally. Some of the biggest digital map suppliers are Google (of course), Intellias, Trimble, Telenav, Garmin, Topcon, TomTom, NovAtel, and Here, which acquired Navteq. There are many more. Stellantis currently uses Here for Uconnect 4.

All of these companies either develop their own data, acquire it from various sources including public mapping agencies and other companies, and/or subcontract it out to map data acquisition contractors. They then develop and sell a line of proprietary products to any company that requires maps for their hardware and/or applications. These map products can be very simple, showing little detail, or very detailed down to actual satellite images with superimposed road and POI data.

These companies will usually offer product updates yearly, bi-yearly, quarterly, or on some other schedule. The companies that use them will have to decide, as we do ourselves, if and when to purchase updates and then, in turn, offer them to their customers. So again, you can see why Stellantis may not choose to give something that they have to pay for away for free.

 

[fbatwork]

I move quicker than that and I work for a group in the Gov’t where petabytes of data come in daily. Sorry, I have no sympathy for them, but if you do then that’s cool. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I appreciate you sharing your opinion.

You peaked my curiosity… that is a lot of data to be coming in daily….


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[scottmoyer]

So, can anybody speak to the radio upgrade software that's included? Does it change anything on the view, add features/functions, or give us the ability to customize the view in any way?

 

[HAL9001]

So, can anybody speak to the radio upgrade software that's included? Does it change anything on the view, add features/functions, or give us the ability to customize the view in any way?

I've been looking into this. For my 2021 1500 Limited, there is no firmware update. Even if one is included with the map update package all it will do is confirm that the latest firmware is installed. So, for me, it's a map update only.

My 2021 1500 is about a year old, if you have an older 1500 or a different model/configuration, you may need a firmware update. To find out, simply go to the Uconnect Software Update page and enter your VIN #. It will tell you if you have the latest firmware or not. For convenience, you can copy your VIN from the bottom of the email you received informing you about the map update.

This is what I got when I checked my VIN yesterday:

 

[thisisbullshiz]

FYI, for those who do get this update, when you're entering the activation code into your truck, DO NOT enter the dashes. Great instructions. LOL.

 

[Trooper4]

Thanks, it will be interesting to see if that new software will start sending Vehicle Health reports. My '20 software version is the same as yours was.

Maps/nav don't send vehicle info, that's through the vehicle connect system and the app.

 

[Trooper4]

I've been looking into this. For my 2021 1500 Limited, there is no firmware update. Even if one is included with the map update package all it will do is confirm that the latest firmware is installed. So, for me, it's a map update only.

My 2021 1500 is about a year old, if you have an older 1500 or a different model/configuration, you may need a firmware update. To find out, simply go to the Uconnect Software Update page and enter your VIN #. It will tell you if you have the latest firmware or not. For convenience, you can copy your VIN from the bottom of the email you received informing you about the map update.

This is what I got when I checked my VIN yesterday:

View attachment 111688

same here until I signed in and searched.

 

[Trooper4]

Does the new updates actually allow you to use that big ginormous search bar to actually type in an address?

I use it now and hope it continues after the update.

 

[Billy2j]

So has anyone had any success installing this Navigation update? Starting this thread to kind of keep track and see how it goes.
I assume most will pass because they are making us pay for it ($149) and I believe mostly everyone uses Waze/google maps which is better, more reliable and FREE...+

Also, did anyone get an update that this was available? Its hard to imagine that they would not provide some sort of communication that something like this is available but Uconnect seems like the Radio Shack of vehicle infotainment so I guess I'm not surprised.

Ok, just arrived at this forum because I did just update my Nav map. It did come with a software update that had to be loaded first.

I have a 2020 Ram 1500 Limited w/ 12 inch screen. Previous version of software was 21.32.14. Problem: after installing both the software and map update it seems I have lost some functionality of my voice search. The mic icon on screen is no longer active and now I must use the voice button on the steering wheel. I used to be able to search by voice for anything, now it seems to only look for restaurants, gas, anyone have any ideas?

At this point I think I spent $149 + tax to create problems from a system that did work perfectly :-(