CarPlay Now Available in Select 2014 and Newer Mazda Vehicles as $199 Dealer-Installed Upgrade

[Mosco]

I understand how it works. It runs from the phone but displays the interface on the headunit. The phones display is off.

Like how you said you it uses bluetooth to transfer data, when you meant to say uses Wifi to transfer video. That obviously uses more energy than sending audio over bluetooth. Like I said, it's not going to kill your battery, but you can't say its the same as using A2DP.

 

[HiRez]

Mazda's are overstyled economy cars that become dated looking very quickly - their reliability is pretty much average in terms of all modern cars. Their faux-luxury interiors are filled with materials that don't hold up over time, just like their exteriors. They have also lacked any 'zoom zoom' for the last decade and are under powered compared to how they advertise themselves. That is FINALLY starting to change with their new turbo CX-5 engine though. They do a great job tuning their suspensions for handling though. Mazda has done a great job marketing themselves as a near luxury brand, despite being nowhere near that level.

They aren't high end luxury, but they're pretty nice. I've owned 2 Mazdas including my current one which is 12 years old, both had 0 problems (including with internal materials) over their lifespans and I drive them hard. I can't speak to everyone's experience but they've been outstanding, reliable cars for me and I'll look at them again for purchase.

 

[larrylaffer]

You people complaining about CarPlay drab UI are part of why so many people die in car accidents every year.

I'm sure you'd love to watch YouTube unboxing videos while you drive. Well, sorry. I prefer living.

 

[archer75]

Like how you said you it uses bluetooth to transfer data, when you meant to say uses Wifi to transfer video. That obviously uses more energy than sending audio over bluetooth. Like I said, it's not going to kill your battery, but you can't say its the same as using A2DP.

Video is data, nothing more. But it doesn't have to power the display. Big difference in power usage.
It just has to transfer a low variable bitrate to the display which is mostly static(even lower bitrate) unless navigating or selecting options. Still less power usage than having to actually power a display as you would if you did not have carplay and were navigating via a phone.

 

[dewski]

Does CarPlay suck for anyone else?
Mine is riddled with problems. When I make calls people hear an echo of themselves back. Depending on when I plug my phone in, it will sometimes connect and others it won't. It will just randomly disconnect. It happens over multiple phones, multiple OS's, and multiple model of phone. Its very frustrating.

Mine is usually ok if I don't rush it. Plug it in and give it at least a minute before I mess with it.

 

[timber]

I am yet to see the benefit to CarPlay at least in my case. I have a new BMW and the CarPlay option i declined was extremely expensive. My iPhone is linked bluetooth to the car and I have access to all of the music and the contacts for the nav and audio system. I have handsfree phone capability and can make and end calls from the car with the phone in my pocket. i am very happy with the NAV system on the BMW.

iDrive got perhaps a bad name in 2001 but in 2018 it is pretty sweet.

It is excellent and it is car oriented and thought out by someone that understands car use (unlike AA and Carplay)

And that is even before the new system launching with the new 3er with the mobile assistant.

Car manufacturers are behaving more or like the movie studios. Both saw how music studios got cornered by computer companies and got themselves moving.

 

[InfoTime]

Your turn, Honda.

I have a 2014 Accord Hybrid EX-L that has the touchscreen head unit. I’ve been pretty active on a forum for that vehicle. Heard from someone with credibility that Honda had an upgrade for my series vehicle tested and ready to launch. But, some higher up pulled the plug because they didn’t think customers would be happy having to wait the couple of hours needed for the install (or some other ridiculous similar reason, been a while)

AND, it’s NOT easy to swap in an aftermarket head unit. The factory unit is integral to the overall system and must be either relocated or replicated.

 

[Juicy Box]

It would be nice if CarPlay was available on the Sport model Mazdas as well.

It seems like many other companies have CarPlay as a standard even on base models.

 

[Mosco]

Video is data, nothing more. But it doesn't have to power the display. Big difference in power usage.
It just has to transfer a low variable bitrate to the display which is mostly static(even lower bitrate) unless navigating or selecting options. Still less power usage than having to actually power a display as you would if you did not have carplay and were navigating via a phone.

And no is arguing that. I already pointed out screen and GPS savings.

 

[Pdot94]

I can confirm that we can get carplay installed in Mazda in Canada! I have done it.

Mazda today announced that CarPlay and Android Auto are now available as part of a dealer-installed upgrade in select 2014 model year and newer Mazda vehicles equipped with the Mazda Connect infotainment system in the United States.

The dealer-installed upgrade has a suggested price of $199 plus the cost of labor and includes both hardware and software components. Eligible vehicles will be equipped with a faster-charging 2.1-amp USB port, in addition to the latest version of Mazda Connect with CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Eligible customers can schedule an appointment with a Mazda dealership to have the approximately two-hour upgrade service completed.

CarPlay and Android Auto will also be preinstalled in 2018 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured in November 2018 or later, excluding the Sport model, in the United States. Those who purchased a 2018 Mazda6 earlier in the year can opt for the dealer-installed upgrade option with the $199 fee waived.

CarPlay and Android Auto are also preinstalled in the 2019 Mazda CX-9 and the 2019 Mazda CX-5 in the United States.

CarPlay is Apple's in-car software that enables iPhone users to access a range of apps from a vehicle's dashboard display, such as Messages, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Radio, Pandora, WhatsApp, Downcast, Slacker Radio, Stitcher, and as of iOS 12, Google Maps and Waze.

Mazda previously announced that CarPlay would be available as a dealer-installed upgrade for a suggested price of $443 including labor in Canada by November, but it's unclear if the option is available there yet. It's also available in the UK for £350.

Article Link: CarPlay Now Available in Select 2014 and Newer Mazda Vehicles as $199 Dealer-Installed Upgrade

 

[Xian Zhu Xuande]

Your turn, Honda.

Honda includes CarPlay as an option for newer vehicles, though. Any of their vehicles that include suitable infotainment screen (usually introduced at some trim level) also include support for CarPlay and Android Auto.

 

[Moorepheus]

At a certain point, it wouldn’t be cost effective for a manufacturer to develop a solution for older cars. Does your car even have Uconnect? Your car is going on 6 years old and was made before CarPlay even launched, so I certainly wouldn’t expect an update of any kind to add it now.

Actually, my car does have UConnect, a 2013 version, but it has it. I get my car was made before CarPlay, using the built in player for the iPod services on an iPhone no longer works because of either updates to Apple software and/or the few updates that have happened to my radio in my car. (I say it was apple, becuase it was working for a long time and then all of sudden stopped) So, when my car was a few years old, with an iPhone 5 or 6, I could see and play every song on my iPhone via my head unit in the car. Here is the rub, I can not upgrade my head unit in my charger to an after market unit, becuase it controls all the different settings of the car and also climate control. There isn't a single aftermarket head unit out there that will give me all my current functionality that my car needs. It seems more vehicles are moving this way.

 

[Ian Aqualung]

I had this done yesterday in NJ my dealer we $399. 2018 CX5
I like CarPlay. I have it in my other car and works well.

 

[vipergts2207]

Actually, my car does have UConnect, a 2013 version, but it has it. I get my car was made before CarPlay, using the built in player for the iPod services on an iPhone no longer works because of either updates to Apple software and/or the few updates that have happened to my radio in my car. (I say it was apple, becuase it was working for a long time and then all of sudden stopped) So, when my car was a few years old, with an iPhone 5 or 6, I could see and play every song on my iPhone via my head unit in the car. Here is the rub, I can not upgrade my head unit in my charger to an after market unit, becuase it controls all the different settings of the car and also climate control. There isn't a single aftermarket head unit out there that will give me all my current functionality that my car needs. It seems more vehicles are moving this way.

I will say that some cars made in the first part of this decade are in a bit of a tough spot. They were designed and manufactured before things like CarPlay and AndroidAuto were a thing, but after infotainment units and the associated, "put almost everything behind the screen" thinking became the norm. I also have a Charger (2010), but could swap out the head unit rather easily with a CarPlay compatible one because it doesn't control anything but the audio/radio.

 

[deeddawg]

Still wired?

No thanks.

 

[robvas]

I’d pay $199 to add to my Jeep but then they couldn’t sell me the $599 navigation upgrade...so that will never happen

 

[Someyoungguy]

Yeah i just got a new car and thought wow great CarPlay.
SNOOZE.
Come on Apple This could be so much better. Kind of a Joke.
Can't imagine what a POS it was before the last update that allowed other apps to work in it.

I don’t have it on my Mazda yet but had similar thoughts, especially with regard to navigation, since I’ve been out of AT&T coverage so much lately in Stevensville, MD but still needing nav. to find houses for sale.

 

[archer75]

I don’t have it on my Mazda yet but had similar thoughts, especially with regard to navigation, since I’ve been out of AT&T coverage so much lately in Stevensville, MD but still needing nav. to find houses for sale.

You can download offline maps for google maps. And google maps works in carplay. I save large areas in google maps for offline navigation where we go camping without reception.

 

[kavlo26]

Called up my dealer in Northern California for CP/AA. Said it will be available at the dealership in about a month for about $500 plus tax installed (which is gonna suck). I have a 2014 Mazda 3. Not too happy with the labor price but if that will bring my car to current standards, I'm ok with doing a one time shell out. No, I don't want to do it myself. Haha

 

[AustinIllini]

Meh. I bought a ten dollar car mount. Use my iPhone XS Max in it in landscape mode. Connect it to my Bluetooth in my Nissan. Boom. Done!

And when you plow into a petshop because you're misusing technology while operating a motor vehicle, you'll have no one to blame but yourself for being so negligent!

 

[archer75]

Copied from the mazdas247 forum:

For anyone wanting to install, you can buy the kit on eBay today with a coupon code (PICKFAST) good for 15% off anything. Should be about $142 before tax.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F192679403436

 

[Boatboy24]

Eligible customers can schedule an appointment with a Mazda dealership to have the approximately two-hour upgrade service completed while the service writer identifies an additional $500 worth of maintenance and repairs that are urgently needed.

There. Fixed it.

 

[dhl]

I wish Honda would do this.

Me too. There's absolutely no technical reason why 2015 models like my Fit EX with a Hondalink 2 head unit that already works with Siri couldn't be firmware updated for CarPlay. I'd gladly pay for the upgrade. The only thing stopping Honda is Honda.

 

[GoodWheaties]

Maybe it's me, but CarPlay is pretty underwhelming. Especially if your car has built in navigation. The only thing I use it for is sending and receiving texts.

I used it recently in a rental car and was very impressed. Especially since it was right after iOS 12 had dropped, allowing third party apps.

 

[Glockworkorange]

1. CarPlay gets upgraded over time with the iOS and App upgrades. Auto nav doesn't usually get upgraded.
2. CarPlay is far better than what people are doing (mounting their phone in particular)
3. Like you mentioned, sending messages and calling people is super easy.
4. While the input method varies from car to car, it standardizes the interfaces for iPhone users

It's meant to be safer and upgradable. It's both of those things.
[doublepost=1542809206][/doublepost]
What do you need it to do? It's designed to be pretty limited because you're DRIVING A CAR

The infotainment and nav systems that came with my car (Jaguar F Pace) is trash—and it was the $1,000.00 “tech package” upgrade with a 10 inch touchscreen. It’s a dumpster fire. The fact Jaguar just unlocked CarPlay is a godsend.