As another commentator mentioned, the last thing drivers need is another distracting device. I used to own a vehicle which had a double din dash - I was messing around with CD's one day, in very slow moving traffic (~5 miles an hour), and rear ended someone. I was stupid, but lucky; no damage. I think that weekend, I ordered a digital (mp3) system that plugged into the trunk (in place of the 6 disc changer) and that was less distracting. I was very fortunate to not have hurt someone, myself or caused any damage.
Anyway, this thing seems to have a lot more reviews on Amazon that it should, but oh well; "people".
the review's mere existence dilutes the noise to signal ratio of this site. that is, the usefulness of the site.
further, since this is an apple site, I read the review anyway, expecting to get info about iOS integration, so I could compare it to my head unit. yet...no info provided. total waste of my time.
if this isn't to be a cnet competitor then I don't use the value of diluting the signal to noise ratio for no reason.
Is this the first time you've ever made such a comment on AI or have you noted this, at least once, in any of the other reviews AI have done over the years? I'm guessing the issue you and others have with this review is simply because the unit uses Android as opposed to some other OS, not because they are reviewing a product that works with iOS.
Is this the first time you've ever made such a comment on AI or have you noted this, at least once, in any of the other reviews AI have done over the years? I'm guessing the issue you and others have with this review is simply because the unit uses Android as opposed to some other OS, not because they are reviewing a product that works with iOS.
I have to say wow ..simply wow! I post about safety and not one comment, the entire thread is about the OS involved! Really?
Reviewing a product that works with iOS-based devices and DED editorials are not mutually exclusive.
Are you able to determine what WOULD exclude DED editorials? Whatever it is, I'd like more of that, please. LOTS more. " src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips
I have to say wow ..simply wow! I post about safety and not one comment, the entire thread is about the OS involved! Really?
Aw Clippy, are you feeling ignored? Here: "Yay safety!" How's that?
But seriously, I can't understand why we continue to make vehicle instrument clusters and infotainment systems with screens. What's the barrier to Heads Up Displays like they have in fighter planes? It's not like the systems are complicated to produce or difficult to implement and the benefits are enormous. What's the obstacle?
We ARE moving forward somewhat by making more and more of the system voice controlled, but we're also accidentally taking one step back. While touch screens are obviously infinitely more versatile than fixed controls, they don't lend themselves to being used without looking. I can find the volume control knob or "Next" button on the dash by feel. Not so with a touch screen.
Is this the first time you've ever made such a comment on AI or have you noted this, at least once, in any of the other reviews AI have done over the years? I'm guessing the issue you and others have with this review is simply because the unit uses Android as opposed to some other OS, not because they are reviewing a product that works with iOS.
you guess is incorrect. just as AppRadio doesnt run iOS (Windows CE) but is designed to be used by iOS devices, the host OS is inconsequential to me. only the iOS use case matters, and that was completely omitted in this review. that is to say, it was a failed review considering the audience.
so as i said, this article was a complete was of my time as an apple-centric user, and a dilution of the signal to noise ratio (usefulness) of this web product. just as i would complain about a crummy physical product, so i complained about this web product.
you guess is incorrect. just as AppRadio doesnt run iOS (Windows CE) but is designed to be used by iOS devices, the host OS is inconsequential to me. only the iOS use case matters, and that was completely omitted in this review. that is to say, it was a failed review considering the audience.
so as i said, this article was a complete was of my time as an apple-centric user, and a dilution of the signal to noise ratio (usefulness) of this web product. just as i would complain about a crummy physical product, so i complained about this web product.
1) So where are your complaints about any of the other hundreds of reviews they have done over the years, including the 4 other reviews of Parrot products just this year?
2) You can clearly see it's a review so why read it if reviews are a waste of your time?
1) So where are your complaints about any of the other hundreds of reviews they have done over the years, including the 4 other reviews of Parrot products just this year?
Soli, I love ya buddy, but that makes no sense. One needn't have complained about every previous similar occurrence as a a prerequisite to complain about this particular article. Maybe he didn't see the earlier reviews. Maybe it was just this one that compelled him to share his view. What difference does it make? He didn't like THIS review and said so.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
2) You can clearly see it's a review so why read it if reviews are a waste of your time?
He didn't say reviews in general are a waste of time, he said THIS one is and explained WHY he feels that way.
Soli, I love ya buddy, but that makes no sense. One needn't have complained about every previous similar occurrence as a a prerequisite to complain about this particular article. Maybe he didn't see the earlier reviews. Maybe it was just this one that compelled him to share his view. What difference does it make? He didn't like THIS review and said so.
He didn't say reviews in general are a waste of time, he said THIS one is and explained WHY.
1) And the only difference between this and the other reviews, including the other Parrot reviews, is the fact that the head unit runs on Android despite working with iDevices.
2) So you think it's a coincidence that no one has complained about any other AI's reviews for devices connect with iDevices and Macs until this one? It's possible but that seems highly improbable to me.
Handsfree calling via the Bluetooth capabilities of iOS.
Contact sync via Bluetooth, limited to 5000 contacts.
Music player control via the headunit. Album/Artist/Track and album art will appear on the screen.
Internet access to the headunit via iOS personal hotspot.
Apps that stream music over the internet (Pandora, Spotify, iTunes Radio, etc.) will play over the USB connection.
Maps and other navigation applications will play the voice directions over the headunit / car speakers.
There is no other interaction. There's no way to prompt Siri from the radio, no way to have any other data applications display on the screen (email? sms? nothing.)
I'm so disappointed. It doesn't fit in my 1896 Duryea or my 1899 Packard Model A or my 1930 Harley Davidson D or my 2014 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Why don't they just tell us which vehicles it does fit?
It might be ok if you were building a custom car from scratch but most modern cars come with some built-in infotainment systems. Who is this for?
There are a lot of cars out there which came with infotainment or in-car proprietary dashboard menus (power seat memory in the dash, for example.) and they don't have aux-in or iPod connections, not even 30pin.
For cars like these, an aftermarket solution is an option to consider, but you do give up the proprietary menus. You usually get a dash kit from either Metra or Scosche, which allows the aftermarket radio to fit in the dashboard correctly.
For some cars like Honda that have the head controls integrated in the radio fascia, they make a replacement aftermarket fascia that has heater controls in it, so that aftermarket radios are still an option.
The thing to do when considering an aftermarket radio is search at metra or scosche to see if there's a dash kit for your vehicle. If there is, and if there's also a wiring harness adapter available (required for cars with OnStar or Bose systems) then you're in good shape.
Also: If you've got an 1899 Duryea or a Packard, I want to go for a ride.
The problem is that there are competing wants here. Consumers want more infotainment and more integration, and expect manufacturers to figure out the safety problems for them. Regulators would be happiest if they could ban all in-car entertainment, but bans and fines don't stop people from using things in-car.
Parrot locking functions based on the state of the parking brake is their way of limiting interaction while driving. It's reasonable, although in early firmware versions they had a menu option in settings to bypass this restriction. In later firmware updates, this bypass option was removed.
I'm hopeful that CarPlay will be a good balance of integration without distraction. I haven't had a hands-on experience with CarPlay yet, but they seem to weight it heavily on voice interaction (Siri) and maps on the display, no reading.
The inclusion of VLC on the Parrot unit is just silly. Playing movie files on the dashboard headunit is pretty hard to justify as "not distracting."
Comments
As another commentator mentioned, the last thing drivers need is another distracting device. I used to own a vehicle which had a double din dash - I was messing around with CD's one day, in very slow moving traffic (~5 miles an hour), and rear ended someone. I was stupid, but lucky; no damage. I think that weekend, I ordered a digital (mp3) system that plugged into the trunk (in place of the 6 disc changer) and that was less distracting. I was very fortunate to not have hurt someone, myself or caused any damage.
Anyway, this thing seems to have a lot more reviews on Amazon that it should, but oh well; "people".
Lastly, more Android 2.3 activations!
Is this the first time you've ever made such a comment on AI or have you noted this, at least once, in any of the other reviews AI have done over the years? I'm guessing the issue you and others have with this review is simply because the unit uses Android as opposed to some other OS, not because they are reviewing a product that works with iOS.
I have to say wow ..simply wow! I post about safety and not one comment, the entire thread is about the OS involved! Really?
Reviewing a product that works with iOS-based devices and DED editorials are not mutually exclusive.
Are you able to determine what WOULD exclude DED editorials? Whatever it is, I'd like more of that, please. LOTS more.
" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />
I have to say wow ..simply wow! I post about safety and not one comment, the entire thread is about the OS involved! Really?
Aw Clippy, are you feeling ignored? Here: "Yay safety!" How's that?
But seriously, I can't understand why we continue to make vehicle instrument clusters and infotainment systems with screens. What's the barrier to Heads Up Displays like they have in fighter planes? It's not like the systems are complicated to produce or difficult to implement and the benefits are enormous. What's the obstacle?
We ARE moving forward somewhat by making more and more of the system voice controlled, but we're also accidentally taking one step back. While touch screens are obviously infinitely more versatile than fixed controls, they don't lend themselves to being used without looking. I can find the volume control knob or "Next" button on the dash by feel. Not so with a touch screen.
I have to say wow ..simply wow! I post about safety and not one comment, the entire thread is about the OS involved! Really?
Well, you did say it was a rant, so I think everybody except for @PhilBoogie avoided reading it!
Is this the first time you've ever made such a comment on AI or have you noted this, at least once, in any of the other reviews AI have done over the years? I'm guessing the issue you and others have with this review is simply because the unit uses Android as opposed to some other OS, not because they are reviewing a product that works with iOS.
you guess is incorrect. just as AppRadio doesnt run iOS (Windows CE) but is designed to be used by iOS devices, the host OS is inconsequential to me. only the iOS use case matters, and that was completely omitted in this review. that is to say, it was a failed review considering the audience.
so as i said, this article was a complete was of my time as an apple-centric user, and a dilution of the signal to noise ratio (usefulness) of this web product. just as i would complain about a crummy physical product, so i complained about this web product.
1) So where are your complaints about any of the other hundreds of reviews they have done over the years, including the 4 other reviews of Parrot products just this year?
2) You can clearly see it's a review so why read it if reviews are a waste of your time?
1) So where are your complaints about any of the other hundreds of reviews they have done over the years, including the 4 other reviews of Parrot products just this year?
Soli, I love ya buddy, but that makes no sense. One needn't have complained about every previous similar occurrence as a a prerequisite to complain about this particular article. Maybe he didn't see the earlier reviews. Maybe it was just this one that compelled him to share his view. What difference does it make? He didn't like THIS review and said so.
2) You can clearly see it's a review so why read it if reviews are a waste of your time?
He didn't say reviews in general are a waste of time, he said THIS one is and explained WHY he feels that way.
1) And the only difference between this and the other reviews, including the other Parrot reviews, is the fact that the head unit runs on Android despite working with iDevices.
2) So you think it's a coincidence that no one has complained about any other AI's reviews for devices connect with iDevices and Macs until this one? It's possible but that seems highly improbable to me.
Hi,
I'm sorry you felt this was a wasted review.
iOS interaction is thus:
Handsfree calling via the Bluetooth capabilities of iOS.
Contact sync via Bluetooth, limited to 5000 contacts.
Music player control via the headunit. Album/Artist/Track and album art will appear on the screen.
Internet access to the headunit via iOS personal hotspot.
Apps that stream music over the internet (Pandora, Spotify, iTunes Radio, etc.) will play over the USB connection.
Maps and other navigation applications will play the voice directions over the headunit / car speakers.
There is no other interaction. There's no way to prompt Siri from the radio, no way to have any other data applications display on the screen (email? sms? nothing.)
It's our hope to review CarPlay products as soon as they are available. Until they are, this is what Parrot thinks is the best product available.
As the score shows, I think they made a product with shortcomings.
I know people who keep cars for about 15 years and then sell. I tend to buy used, but my car is ten years old.
You should check out the Amazon vehicle fit guide for this product. It is hilarious.
http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-Navigation-Multimedia-Hands-Free-Bluetooth/dp/B00A6UTZ32
I'm so disappointed. It doesn't fit in my 1896 Duryea or my 1899 Packard Model A or my 1930 Harley Davidson D or my 2014 Cadillac Escalade ESV
Why don't they just tell us which vehicles it does fit?
It might be ok if you were building a custom car from scratch but most modern cars come with some built-in infotainment systems. Who is this for?
There are a lot of cars out there which came with infotainment or in-car proprietary dashboard menus (power seat memory in the dash, for example.) and they don't have aux-in or iPod connections, not even 30pin.
For cars like these, an aftermarket solution is an option to consider, but you do give up the proprietary menus. You usually get a dash kit from either Metra or Scosche, which allows the aftermarket radio to fit in the dashboard correctly.
For some cars like Honda that have the head controls integrated in the radio fascia, they make a replacement aftermarket fascia that has heater controls in it, so that aftermarket radios are still an option.
The thing to do when considering an aftermarket radio is search at metra or scosche to see if there's a dash kit for your vehicle. If there is, and if there's also a wiring harness adapter available (required for cars with OnStar or Bose systems) then you're in good shape.
Also: If you've got an 1899 Duryea or a Packard, I want to go for a ride.
Safety:
The problem is that there are competing wants here. Consumers want more infotainment and more integration, and expect manufacturers to figure out the safety problems for them. Regulators would be happiest if they could ban all in-car entertainment, but bans and fines don't stop people from using things in-car.
Parrot locking functions based on the state of the parking brake is their way of limiting interaction while driving. It's reasonable, although in early firmware versions they had a menu option in settings to bypass this restriction. In later firmware updates, this bypass option was removed.
I'm hopeful that CarPlay will be a good balance of integration without distraction. I haven't had a hands-on experience with CarPlay yet, but they seem to weight it heavily on voice interaction (Siri) and maps on the display, no reading.
The inclusion of VLC on the Parrot unit is just silly. Playing movie files on the dashboard headunit is pretty hard to justify as "not distracting."