I realize I'm late to the party here, but thought I'd offer this up...
A few weeks ago, I bought a new 2014 Prius C "model 4". This is the optioned out model with the "Entune" package with navigation and XM, bluetooth, Pandora and other "apps." As I understand it, this is the same head unit used in all similarly equipped Toyotas.
Fortunately, I got a pretty good deal on the 2014 since the 2015s are out and this was probably sitting on the lot for a while.<span style="line-height:1.4em;"> I did not base my decision on the electronics package, although I was interested in integrated bluetooth capabilities. I'm glad I didn't have to pay much of a premium for this. I have to say I am not at all impressed.</span>
<span style="line-height:1.4em;">For one thing, when changing "modes" (FM1 to FM2 to AM to Sat channel presets) via the steering wheel control, the screen with the 6 or so channel presets does not advance to the particular screen where the channel/band that is playing should be shown. My 2008 Prius does this correctly, so not sure what happened there.</span>
<span style="line-height:1.4em;">The navigation interface is primitive and clunky. The map image quality is nowhere near as good as standalone GPS or iPhone (or any smart phone for that matter).</span>
<span style="line-height:1.4em;">Apps require a network connection from your cell phone of course, but for iPhone, you have to connect a USB cable. Not too big a deal, except when you do this, the system automatically thinks you want to play iTunes music from your phone as default. It is possible to get a network connection via bluetooth from Android devices apparently, but not iPhone (one of those Bluetooth profiles that </span>
iPhone<span style="line-height:1.4em;"> still does not support). I reverted to using a separate charger/cable for my iPhone.</span>
<span style="line-height:1.4em;">Bluetooth pairing for audio generally works well. </span>
Running<span style="line-height:1.4em;"> navigation from phone mutes car audio when necessary. </span> BTW, I think it a bit redundant to have a Pandora app in the car when the phone is required and having the app in the phone works fine via Bluetooth.
One time (so far just once), Entune crashed. Went to black screen, followed by a re-boot. Oh, the times we live in...
<span style="line-height:1.4em;">One thing that is strange (but not quite an Entune issue) is that even though this car has the bells and whistles, a backup camera is not included, and not even an option on any 2014 "C" model. Only the 2015 Prius C model 4 offers it. My 2008 regular Prius (model 2) without nav has the backup camera. Many other Toyotas offer the camera. I thought maybe I had a broken camera when I first got the car! I have since found out that it is possible to retrofit a "factory connection kit" style of camera since the head unit can accept the camera connection, so I'll probably do that some day.</span>
<span style="line-height:1.4em;">?All in all, I am happy with car though. 51+ MPG is great for my daily 17 mile on surface streets only commute, and it is a very comfortable car that actually has decent handling (if not </span>
particularly<span style="line-height:1.4em;"> exciting). Too bad Toyota says they are not interested in CarPlay. I think they</span>
really could use some help in the user interface department.
Nice post.
A roundabout way of saying you like your new Prius, but you got there in the end! ????
Buying a car because of CarPlay means you are a total fool. Apple can't even roll out CarPlay, except to Alpine and Pioneer aftermarket systems. Honda and Apple claimed CarPlay would be offered in 2014 models, and even pictured the 2014 Civic in their promotional material. Now we are in 2015 and Honda still has zero cars with CarPlay. Honda has no clue when CarPlay would even roll out, blaming Apple for the delay. People need to pay attention to the damn road and stop f*cking around with their phones and 'infotainment' systems.
CarPlay is a joke. You can easily expect Apple to update CarPlay and phones with iOS updates, and then say, "Oh, the new software doesn't work with CarPlay 1.0 in your car's infotainment system, you will have to buy a new car with CarPlay 2.0". Everyone knows auto manufacturers rarely update the software, and it takes 1-2 years for them to catch up. Since it hasn't rolled out like they said it would, then there must be significant problems. Don't hold your breath on CarPlay. No wonder Toyota is bailing on it.
Buying a car because of CarPlay means you are a total fool. Apple can't even roll out CarPlay, except to Alpine and Pioneer aftermarket systems. Honda and Apple claimed CarPlay would be offered in 2014 models, and even pictured the 2014 Civic in their promotional material. Now we are in 2015 and Honda still has zero cars with CarPlay. Honda has no clue when CarPlay would even roll out, blaming Apple for the delay. People need to pay attention to the damn road and stop f*cking around with their phones and 'infotainment' systems.
CarPlay is a joke. You can easily expect Apple to update CarPlay and phones with iOS updates, and then say, "Oh, the new software doesn't work with CarPlay 1.0 in your car's infotainment system, you will have to buy a new car with CarPlay 2.0". Everyone knows auto manufacturers rarely update the software, and it takes 1-2 years for them to catch up. Since it hasn't rolled out like they said it would, then there must be significant problems. Don't hold your breath on CarPlay. No wonder Toyota is bailing on it.
1) Have you always been this crotchety? Isn't there some kids on your lawn you need to go yell at?
2) Since CarPlay resides on your iPhone there is nothing that is to be installed and updated on your infotainment system. What automobile manufactures need to do to support CarPlay is essentially allow the in-dash video screen act like a secondary display for the iPhone.
3) It is annoying that some gave a date and then can't meet that self-imposed deadline, but this is the automobile industry we're talking about. These were the people still shipping cassette players in some higher-end cars well after CDs had become ubiquitous. They have always been slow to change the dash so the fact that some are shipping with CarPlay support within a year after the CarPlay brand was announced is impressive for them in comparison to their history.
Buying a car because of CarPlay means you are a total fool. Apple can't even roll out CarPlay, except to Alpine and Pioneer aftermarket systems. Honda and Apple claimed CarPlay would be offered in 2014 models, and even pictured the 2014 Civic in their promotional material. Now we are in 2015 and Honda still has zero cars with CarPlay. Honda has no clue when CarPlay would even roll out, blaming Apple for the delay. People need to pay attention to the damn road and stop f*cking around with their phones and 'infotainment' systems.
CarPlay is a joke. You can easily expect Apple to update CarPlay and phones with iOS updates, and then say, "Oh, the new software doesn't work with CarPlay 1.0 in your car's infotainment system, you will have to buy a new car with CarPlay 2.0". Everyone knows auto manufacturers rarely update the software, and it takes 1-2 years for them to catch up. Since it hasn't rolled out like they said it would, then there must be significant problems. Don't hold your breath on CarPlay. No wonder Toyota is bailing on it.
Geez.
I don't know how many people would actually buy a car just because of CarPlay, and if that was the only factor, then I would agree that that is somewhat foolish. I would not go so far to say totally foolish though. However, all other things being equal (and in today's car market, there is a lot of near equivalency in any given segment), who wouldn't give a nod toward a car that has a better electronics package? I think ride, handling, and other performance factors are major considerations, but unless you are a track day aficionado, other factors such as economy and, yes, comfort and style are perfectly legitimate factors too. I don't think giving weight to any of these other elements makes anyone a total fool.
One of your main complaints seems to be that CarPlay isn't more widely deployed (along with some other suppositions), not that it doesn't provide an improved user experience. That doesn't make it a joke. Personally, I don't actually know whether CarPlay would be an improvement, but you can see by my post above that I think the Toyota Entune package leaves a lot of room for improvement. As a multi-Toyota owner and an iPhone owner, I was disappointed to hear that Toyota was not interested in CarPlay, because it seems to me very likely that leveraging one of the world's best UI development experts would result in an improved experience. If Toyota can figure out some other way to improve their electronics, more power to them. They need help.
I don't know how many people would actually buy a car just because of CarPlay, and if that was the only factor, then I would agree that that is somewhat foolish. I would not go so far to say totally foolish though. However, all other things being equal (and in today's car market, there is a lot of near equivalency in any given segment), who wouldn't give a nod toward a car that has a better electronics package? I think ride, handling, and other performance factors are major considerations, but unless you are a track day aficionado, other factors such as economy and, yes, comfort and style are perfectly legitimate factors too. I don't think giving weight to any of these other elements makes anyone a total fool.
One of your main complaints seems to be that CarPlay isn't more widely deployed (along with some other suppositions), not that it doesn't provide an improved user experience. That doesn't make it a joke. Personally, I don't actually know whether CarPlay would be an improvement, but you can see by my post above that I think the Toyota Entune package leaves a lot of room for improvement. As a multi-Toyota owner and an iPhone owner, I was disappointed to hear that Toyota was not interested in CarPlay, because it seems to me very likely that leveraging one of the world's best UI development experts would result in an improved experience. If Toyota can figure out some other way to improve their electronics, more power to them. They need help.
All other factors being roughly equal, why shouldn't someone want CarPlay if they are already an Apple person? It'll certainly be a factor in my next car-related decision.
[quote]2) Since CarPlay resides on your iPhone there is nothing that is to be installed and updated on your infotainment system. What automobile manufactures need to do to support CarPlay is essentially allow the in-dash video screen act like a secondary display for the iPhone.[/quote]
You sir, have no idea what goes into integrating and supporting an auxiliarly device connected to a main controller.
You sir, have no idea what goes into integrating and supporting an auxiliarly device connected to a main controller.
While true... I don't think Apple would make the process of integration so complicated that no one would even bother. I would imagine Apple had engineers working with the top automotive electronics systems when they were developing CarPlay.
Hyundai had Carplay working in the 2015 Sonata less than a year after CarPlay was announced to the public... though it's possible that Hyundai had access to CarPlay before the public announcement.
Apple would like as many automakers as possible to use CarPlay. It should be as seamless as it can be.
While true... I don't think Apple would make the process of integration so complicated that no one would even bother. I would imagine Apple had engineers working with the top automotive electronics systems when they were developing CarPlay.
Hyundai had Carplay working in the 2015 Sonata less than a year after CarPlay was announced to the public... though it's possible that Hyundai had access to CarPlay before the public announcement.
Apple would like as many automakers as possible to use CarPlay. It should be as seamless as it can be.
While true also, you must know that manufacturers sublet a lot of the systems to "experts" in the field. A lot of factory systems are actually designed and built to specifications by major companies such as Alpine, Clarion, Pioneer, etc. They have worked with the car manufacturers many years in designing and developing a system to meet their needs way before the final production version is unveiled to the public. This is why people say that when the cars finally hit the market they are already outdated. It's because they were the newest tech when they were in the R&D stage. When something comes up in the middle such as CarPlay or Android Auto, it's an afterthought and therefore not fully integrated into the system as well as it should be.
While true... I don't think Apple would make the process of integration so complicated that no one would even bother. I would imagine Apple had engineers working with the top automotive electronics systems when they were developing CarPlay.
Hyundai had Carplay working in the 2015 Sonata less than a year after CarPlay was announced to the public... though it's possible that Hyundai had access to CarPlay before the public announcement.
Apple would like as many automakers as possible to use CarPlay. It should be as seamless as it can be.
1) It's not true. CarPlay is NOT installed into your dash. The video and controls are ALL passed to and from the iPhone. This is why we won't get wireless CarPlay with it BT-HS, which includes WiFi.
2) Pioneer and Alpine beat eveey by a wide margin. The fact that ANY automotive company is shipping CarPlay support within 24 months is amazing compared to how bad they are at even updating small bugs in their system, save for Tesla.
1) It's not true. CarPlay is NOT installed into your dash. The video and controls are ALL passed to and from the iPhone. This is why we won't get wireless CarPlay with it BT-HS, which includes WiFi.
CarPlay is installed into your dash. You think the protocols are already in the vehicle to support controlling the iPhone via USB? Volvo is supporting CarPlay in the new XC90 shortly AFTER release, with a software update. New software is needed by any existing unit to support anything that it doesn't support at launch. That software would be CarPlay, whether they call it CarPlay or not, it's still new software that needs to be installed.
CarPlay is installed into your dash. You think the protocols are already in the vehicle to support controlling the iPhone via USB? Volvo is supporting CarPlay in the new XC90 shortly AFTER release, with a software update. New software is needed by any existing unit to support anything that it doesn't support at launch. That software would be CarPlay, whether they call it CarPlay or not, it's still new software that needs to be installed.
No, it's not. Stop writing ignorant shit and do a modicum of fuckking research. Your comment is like saying the iPod OS has to be installed in your car so you tracks can shown and controlled in your car a few years AFTER the iPod went on sale.
There is some software from Apple that has to be integrated into the factory system from Ford, Chevy, etc.
It will require cooperation between Apple and the car makers.
And? That's suppose to mean iOS is installed in the car? Do you understand how Apple's HealthKit and HomeKit work? They certainly don't refer to Apple licensing iOS, as [@]Smart Phoney[/@] suggests.
When something comes up in the middle such as CarPlay or Android Auto, it's an afterthought and therefore not fully integrated into the system as well as it should be.
But it will be eventually.
I didn't expect a lot of 2015 cars to support CarPlay or Android Auto. Hyundai seems to be an anomaly.
You're right... car makers usually work at a glacial pace when trying anything new.
It might take until 2016 or 2017 for cars to feature these new systems. But it will happen.
There were 30 car brands on the screen at the Apple keynote. I'm sure Apple had already established relationships with those car makers.
Toyota was one of those brands... so it's a shock to hear that they are not supporting CarPlay at this time.
No, it's not. Stop writing ignorant shit and do a modicum of fuckking research. Your comment is like saying the iPod OS has to be installed in your car so you tracks can shown and controlled in your car a few years AFTER the iPod went on sale.
Yeah tough guy, you win. I obviously didn't know that USB protocol for the iPod must be the same for CarPlay.
And? That's suppose to mean iOS is installed in the car? Do you understand how Apple's HealthKit and HomeKit work? They certainly don't refer to Apple licensing iOS, as [@]Smart Phoney[/@] suggests.
I never said "iOS" is installed in the car.
I said the factory in-dash system has to have "something" from Apple installed on it in order to have CarPlay.
You can't just plug your iPhone into any car to get this:
From my understanding... CarPlay is simply a software overlay that is placed on top of the existing system.
But it's still some additional software that the car maker must get from Apple.
And their in-dash systems need to be built to support it.
And their in-dash systems need to be built to support it.
The person I initially responded to said it was and [@]Smart Phoney[/@] "corrected" me by saying it was. You did make a comment as to how CarPlay works, but it was ambiguous so I didn't answer that comment.
I said the factory in-dash system has to have "something" from Apple installed on it in order to have CarPlay.
[...]
But it's still some additional software that the car maker must get from Apple.
Yeah, in the same way Apple tells banks how to support ?Pay, or Nike how to support HealthKit, or GE how to support HomeKit. It's essentially an automated bypass that allows iOS and Android to use aspects of the in-dash system. This concept is pretty fucking simple.
Where did I state that iOS had to be installed? I said additional software, whether it's called CarPlay or not.
Smart Phoney wrote, "CarPlay is installed into your dash."
And then of course you sayjng I am NOT correct when I stated 1) that iOS is not installed, and 2) that each manufacturer needs to "support" so that CarPlay and Android Auto to work with their infotainment system.
Comments
Nice post.
A roundabout way of saying you like your new Prius, but you got there in the end! ????
Buying a car because of CarPlay means you are a total fool. Apple can't even roll out CarPlay, except to Alpine and Pioneer aftermarket systems. Honda and Apple claimed CarPlay would be offered in 2014 models, and even pictured the 2014 Civic in their promotional material. Now we are in 2015 and Honda still has zero cars with CarPlay. Honda has no clue when CarPlay would even roll out, blaming Apple for the delay. People need to pay attention to the damn road and stop f*cking around with their phones and 'infotainment' systems.
CarPlay is a joke. You can easily expect Apple to update CarPlay and phones with iOS updates, and then say, "Oh, the new software doesn't work with CarPlay 1.0 in your car's infotainment system, you will have to buy a new car with CarPlay 2.0". Everyone knows auto manufacturers rarely update the software, and it takes 1-2 years for them to catch up. Since it hasn't rolled out like they said it would, then there must be significant problems. Don't hold your breath on CarPlay. No wonder Toyota is bailing on it.
1) Have you always been this crotchety? Isn't there some kids on your lawn you need to go yell at?
2) Since CarPlay resides on your iPhone there is nothing that is to be installed and updated on your infotainment system. What automobile manufactures need to do to support CarPlay is essentially allow the in-dash video screen act like a secondary display for the iPhone.
3) It is annoying that some gave a date and then can't meet that self-imposed deadline, but this is the automobile industry we're talking about. These were the people still shipping cassette players in some higher-end cars well after CDs had become ubiquitous. They have always been slow to change the dash so the fact that some are shipping with CarPlay support within a year after the CarPlay brand was announced is impressive for them in comparison to their history.
Buying a car because of CarPlay means you are a total fool. Apple can't even roll out CarPlay, except to Alpine and Pioneer aftermarket systems. Honda and Apple claimed CarPlay would be offered in 2014 models, and even pictured the 2014 Civic in their promotional material. Now we are in 2015 and Honda still has zero cars with CarPlay. Honda has no clue when CarPlay would even roll out, blaming Apple for the delay. People need to pay attention to the damn road and stop f*cking around with their phones and 'infotainment' systems.
CarPlay is a joke. You can easily expect Apple to update CarPlay and phones with iOS updates, and then say, "Oh, the new software doesn't work with CarPlay 1.0 in your car's infotainment system, you will have to buy a new car with CarPlay 2.0". Everyone knows auto manufacturers rarely update the software, and it takes 1-2 years for them to catch up. Since it hasn't rolled out like they said it would, then there must be significant problems. Don't hold your breath on CarPlay. No wonder Toyota is bailing on it.
Geez.
I don't know how many people would actually buy a car just because of CarPlay, and if that was the only factor, then I would agree that that is somewhat foolish. I would not go so far to say totally foolish though. However, all other things being equal (and in today's car market, there is a lot of near equivalency in any given segment), who wouldn't give a nod toward a car that has a better electronics package? I think ride, handling, and other performance factors are major considerations, but unless you are a track day aficionado, other factors such as economy and, yes, comfort and style are perfectly legitimate factors too. I don't think giving weight to any of these other elements makes anyone a total fool.
One of your main complaints seems to be that CarPlay isn't more widely deployed (along with some other suppositions), not that it doesn't provide an improved user experience. That doesn't make it a joke. Personally, I don't actually know whether CarPlay would be an improvement, but you can see by my post above that I think the Toyota Entune package leaves a lot of room for improvement. As a multi-Toyota owner and an iPhone owner, I was disappointed to hear that Toyota was not interested in CarPlay, because it seems to me very likely that leveraging one of the world's best UI development experts would result in an improved experience. If Toyota can figure out some other way to improve their electronics, more power to them. They need help.
Geez.
I don't know how many people would actually buy a car just because of CarPlay, and if that was the only factor, then I would agree that that is somewhat foolish. I would not go so far to say totally foolish though. However, all other things being equal (and in today's car market, there is a lot of near equivalency in any given segment), who wouldn't give a nod toward a car that has a better electronics package? I think ride, handling, and other performance factors are major considerations, but unless you are a track day aficionado, other factors such as economy and, yes, comfort and style are perfectly legitimate factors too. I don't think giving weight to any of these other elements makes anyone a total fool.
One of your main complaints seems to be that CarPlay isn't more widely deployed (along with some other suppositions), not that it doesn't provide an improved user experience. That doesn't make it a joke. Personally, I don't actually know whether CarPlay would be an improvement, but you can see by my post above that I think the Toyota Entune package leaves a lot of room for improvement. As a multi-Toyota owner and an iPhone owner, I was disappointed to hear that Toyota was not interested in CarPlay, because it seems to me very likely that leveraging one of the world's best UI development experts would result in an improved experience. If Toyota can figure out some other way to improve their electronics, more power to them. They need help.
All other factors being roughly equal, why shouldn't someone want CarPlay if they are already an Apple person? It'll certainly be a factor in my next car-related decision.
You sir, have no idea what goes into integrating and supporting an auxiliarly device connected to a main controller.
While true... I don't think Apple would make the process of integration so complicated that no one would even bother. I would imagine Apple had engineers working with the top automotive electronics systems when they were developing CarPlay.
Hyundai had Carplay working in the 2015 Sonata less than a year after CarPlay was announced to the public... though it's possible that Hyundai had access to CarPlay before the public announcement.
Apple would like as many automakers as possible to use CarPlay. It should be as seamless as it can be.
Then prove my comment wrong. Show me ANY evidence that iOS will be installed in the car.
While true... I don't think Apple would make the process of integration so complicated that no one would even bother. I would imagine Apple had engineers working with the top automotive electronics systems when they were developing CarPlay.
Hyundai had Carplay working in the 2015 Sonata less than a year after CarPlay was announced to the public... though it's possible that Hyundai had access to CarPlay before the public announcement.
Apple would like as many automakers as possible to use CarPlay. It should be as seamless as it can be.
While true also, you must know that manufacturers sublet a lot of the systems to "experts" in the field. A lot of factory systems are actually designed and built to specifications by major companies such as Alpine, Clarion, Pioneer, etc. They have worked with the car manufacturers many years in designing and developing a system to meet their needs way before the final production version is unveiled to the public. This is why people say that when the cars finally hit the market they are already outdated. It's because they were the newest tech when they were in the R&D stage. When something comes up in the middle such as CarPlay or Android Auto, it's an afterthought and therefore not fully integrated into the system as well as it should be.
1) It's not true. CarPlay is NOT installed into your dash. The video and controls are ALL passed to and from the iPhone. This is why we won't get wireless CarPlay with it BT-HS, which includes WiFi.
2) Pioneer and Alpine beat eveey by a wide margin. The fact that ANY automotive company is shipping CarPlay support within 24 months is amazing compared to how bad they are at even updating small bugs in their system, save for Tesla.
M
1) It's not true. CarPlay is NOT installed into your dash. The video and controls are ALL passed to and from the iPhone. This is why we won't get wireless CarPlay with it BT-HS, which includes WiFi.
CarPlay is installed into your dash. You think the protocols are already in the vehicle to support controlling the iPhone via USB? Volvo is supporting CarPlay in the new XC90 shortly AFTER release, with a software update. New software is needed by any existing unit to support anything that it doesn't support at launch. That software would be CarPlay, whether they call it CarPlay or not, it's still new software that needs to be installed.
Yes... that's how CarPlay works.
But the in-dash system still has to support it.
There is some software from Apple that has to be integrated into the factory system from Ford, Chevy, etc.
It will require cooperation between Apple and the car makers.
No, it's not. Stop writing ignorant shit and do a modicum of fuckking research. Your comment is like saying the iPod OS has to be installed in your car so you tracks can shown and controlled in your car a few years AFTER the iPod went on sale.
And? That's suppose to mean iOS is installed in the car? Do you understand how Apple's HealthKit and HomeKit work? They certainly don't refer to Apple licensing iOS, as [@]Smart Phoney[/@] suggests.
But it will be eventually.
I didn't expect a lot of 2015 cars to support CarPlay or Android Auto. Hyundai seems to be an anomaly.
You're right... car makers usually work at a glacial pace when trying anything new.
It might take until 2016 or 2017 for cars to feature these new systems. But it will happen.
There were 30 car brands on the screen at the Apple keynote. I'm sure Apple had already established relationships with those car makers.
Toyota was one of those brands... so it's a shock to hear that they are not supporting CarPlay at this time.
No, it's not. Stop writing ignorant shit and do a modicum of fuckking research. Your comment is like saying the iPod OS has to be installed in your car so you tracks can shown and controlled in your car a few years AFTER the iPod went on sale.
Yeah tough guy, you win. I obviously didn't know that USB protocol for the iPod must be the same for CarPlay.
I never said "iOS" is installed in the car.
I said the factory in-dash system has to have "something" from Apple installed on it in order to have CarPlay.
You can't just plug your iPhone into any car to get this:
From my understanding... CarPlay is simply a software overlay that is placed on top of the existing system.
But it's still some additional software that the car maker must get from Apple.
And their in-dash systems need to be built to support it.
The person I initially responded to said it was and [@]Smart Phoney[/@] "corrected" me by saying it was. You did make a comment as to how CarPlay works, but it was ambiguous so I didn't answer that comment.
Yeah, in the same way Apple tells banks how to support ?Pay, or Nike how to support HealthKit, or GE how to support HomeKit. It's essentially an automated bypass that allows iOS and Android to use aspects of the in-dash system. This concept is pretty fucking simple.
Where did I state that iOS had to be installed? I said additional software, whether it's called CarPlay or not.
Smart Phoney wrote, "CarPlay is installed into your dash."
And then of course you sayjng I am NOT correct when I stated 1) that iOS is not installed, and 2) that each manufacturer needs to "support" so that CarPlay and Android Auto to work with their infotainment system.