CarPlay Scores 85% Customer Satisfaction Rate in Limited Study

[Mr Mabry]

This is a little off-topic and maybe dumb but does changing the language on Siri (mine is set to Australian English) change how it interprets spoken English? Will it be more acquainted with Australian English rather than American English (which is what I speak)? Because when I'm trying to respond to text messages via Siri and CarPlay, it gets my responses wrong around 80% of the time and it's not even close. I'm just curious if anyone knows or if I'm just a lunatic connecting dots that aren't there.

 

[oldwatery]

Car play is just about usable on a good day. Siri is the most frustrating and useless pos that I have ever tried to use. Over all I give it. A massive fail. So who are these people that love it so?

 

[SBlue1]

Siri is so worthless... I feel for those guys in this video. I use Siri for setting the timer only. Nothing else can be done. Cant play english named bands or songs on my german settings, tries to phone complete strangers when I ask to call my wife, wants to send me to Italy when I ask for an restaurant two blocks away, can't set my Philips Hue lights and I even bought a new bridge just to use voice commands! Apple should be ashamed for Siri.

 

[zone23]

bizarre, works fine on my S6, possibly you've set something in S-Voice that is overriding it. go through it's settings.
also possible you've installed some other App that's interfering

Well I gave it another go and it's the same. I disabled s-voice double checked the settings and it will work maybe once then that's about it. Honestly with everyone crying about how bad Siri is I have a lot better luck with it then google. YMMV.

 

[Lancer]

About a year ago I upgraded my car audio with an Android based HU, 10" screen which is basically a tablet so you can use most apps and much more, it came with build in Navigation software, doesn't rely on a phone for anything. I has WiFi to access the internet (via a wifi hot spot) and BT for hands free phone, which works great. You have USB ports for your music storage and access to revers camera. I can also access my cars OBD2 port via a BT adaptor for real time data from my cars ECU. All this for half the cost of Apple CarPlay systems.

Now I'm a Mac fan and have used them since high school, have an iPhone and iPad, typing this on my iMac and have Apple TV but right now Apple CarPlay just doesn't offer the features I get with this system, most don't even offer an external navigation system and rely on Apple Maps and a good cell phone signal. I really hope they can offer more in the future and when that happens I will upgrade and switch to CarPlay!

 

[nemaslov]

Works really well in my 2017 VW.

To be honest, I do think people will have very different opinions on this based on the car in which they use it.

I recently bought a new car and compared different offerings. In the BMW, CarPlay required Navigation Professional, internet services and phone preparation, all of which made it a $3000 option in the end. If I would have payed that kind of money, I would have had a completely different set of expectations.

Now, I bought a new VW instead, in which CarPlay was standard equipment. This means I can use the 7" Display as a Satnav using Apple Maps, rather than having to spend $2000 on the proper system offered by VW. Moreover I can use Spotify, make calls, respond to messages et.c.

For me, CarPlay is great.

Same here. In December I bought a 2017 GTI and CarPlay works out just fine. Texts responses via SIRI is good too for the most part.

The only issue I have is when my Bluetooth is picking up my phone in addition to a plugged in iPhone into the system. Think I need to turn that off but CarPlay overrides the VW Car's bluetooth.

 

[eoblaed]

Until CarPlay can do downloadable/offline maps, it's a non-starter for me.

 

[sirdir]

CarPlay may be cumbersome at times, but android auto is by no means better. I tried yesterday to send me a What'sApp. This stupid thing read to me all my 6 phone numbers I had (which takes forever) - and no matter what I replied, it didn't understand. - and started to re read the whole list again. And when you stop that, you're out of the 'send message' function... basically impossible.
And of course it's a pity apple music doesn't support android auto

 

[dazed]

I really want to see Apple open up CarPlay to 3rd party mapping providers. I hope this is coming in iOS 11. Apple Maps is ok but in my opinion, Google Maps is an order of magnitude better. Also I think having the ability to use Waze in the dash would be awesome.
Also I think they could change the home screen of CarPlay to provide different information in one view. On that screen, they could also support Apple Watch like "complications." An example of this for me would be showing my current blood glucose reading from my Dexcom glocuse monitor (which would be really useful when driving).

if they open it up then why would people use Apple maps? They would be dumping billions in r&d down the toilet.

I find Siri completely useless most of the time. I'd rather pull over and type the address into google maps.

 

[hack1nt0sh]

I find Siri quite annoying as it doesn't understand most of what I say and I have to repeat myself several times sounding like an idiot. It feels like I am talking to a mentally retarded person with minimal english skills.

But my Google and Google Map App on iOS seem to understand my and even my kid's accent which sometime I even don't get in the first time. I can talk normally and it gets it verbatim.

Apple really needs to fix voice recognition and processing on Siri. I have disabled Siri on my Macs but I don't see Apple CarPlay taking off unless voice recognition is as good as Google.

 

[komone]

Well there's a choice here for Apple:

1) Improve Siri, improve Apple Maps, update our desktops
2) Accept defeat over Siri and broker a deal with Google, improve Apple Maps, update our desktops
3) Improve Siri, accept defeat over Maps and broker a deal with Google, update our desktops
4) Accept defeat over Siri and Maps and broker a deal with Google, update our desktops
5) Medium-term corporate failure

The careful reader will notice the common element of failure avoidance.

 

[njchris]

85%?!

Then those 85% haven't used it all that much or they are so Apple-blind that nothing Apple does could ever be bad.

I use it twice a day: to and from work. One hour drive each way.

For example, after 6 months of continuous use, I have learned to not bother with trying to respond to texts. It always ends up with me super frustrated and the person (if it even responds to the right one) calling me because they have no idea what I'm trying to tell them.

That's most likely due to the mic in your car. Siri understands me without issue in my car (2017 Ford Escape). If the person on the phone can't understand you, it's really not Carplay's fault. It's the mic in your car.

 

[inkswamp]

I don't have nearly as many problems using Siri for messages and directions hands-free in the car as this guy did.

 

[TylerD554]

This is a little off-topic and maybe dumb but does changing the language on Siri (mine is set to Australian English) change how it interprets spoken English? Will it be more acquainted with Australian English rather than American English (which is what I speak)? Because when I'm trying to respond to text messages via Siri and CarPlay, it gets my responses wrong around 80% of the time and it's not even close. I'm just curious if anyone knows or if I'm just a lunatic connecting dots that aren't there.

If you speak American English set Siri to American English. I think thats the problem in the video as well. Americans don't pronounce "J" as "Y"
[doublepost=1492733992][/doublepost]

If you speak American English set Siri to American English. I think thats the problem in the video as well. Americans don't pronounce "J" as "Y"

In fact I just tested this theory with my phone based on the issue in the video and it worked the first time.

 

[tardegrade]

Siri is Apples Achilles heel right now. I love every piece of Apple kit that I've got but Siri is just unusable. Everytime I think I'll give it a go to save time it's patently rubbish! Even when it understands me correctly it misunderstands my intentions.

Apple need to get this right as it's going to be a huge part of every future mobile device and Google are killing them on this issue.

 

[Middiebear]

CarPlay was one of the highlights of our family's new car purchase.

The feature is becoming more & more standard in 2017 (and future) car models, with more & more users getting the chance to utilize the feature.

I hope this now gives Apple incentive to invest heavily in CarPlay as it truly has the capability to be an incredible asset in your car's experience.

Improvements can be made to allow split screen multi-app viewing, the music app overhauled (Apple could take great note of my car's built in Sirius app), addition of simple widget style apps such as weather, stocks, local gas prices, someone else mentioned Watch-style faces (awesome idea!). Lastly the ability for use of 3rd Party apps.

I'd love to see what iOS 11 has to offer, the simple but effective update in iOS 10 that provided a side menu of recently used apps was a step in the right direction.

 

[Johnwatso]

I've had CarPlay in my car now for just over a year and over all I am happy with it. My only gripe is that Apple Maps doesn't re route you when traffic is bad. This can some times be an ETA difference of like 10 Minutes which is a shame. It does re route but it only seems to be at random.

I have no other woes with Apple Maps, It seems to update faster than google Maps at least here in New Zealand. One of our major roads was shut down due to earthquake damage. Google Maps took 3 days to note the change where as apple maps was instant. Thought that was pretty interesting. Apple Maps needs work, but I am happy with it being the native app on CarPlay for navigation. It would be great to see Apple open up CarPlay to more navigation apps but I doubt we will ever see that.

as for Siri, it seems to work 9 times out of 10 for me. I think it depends on the mic / mice placement with the Head Unit. My App radio 2 was horrible, but the Sony XAV-AX100 i replaced it with was much much better. So keep in mind your mileage may vary.

 

[Romey-Rome]

I really want to see Apple open up CarPlay to 3rd party mapping providers. I hope this is coming in iOS 11. Apple Maps is ok but in my opinion, Google Maps is an order of magnitude better. Also I think having the ability to use Waze in the dash would be awesome.
Also I think they could change the home screen of CarPlay to provide different information in one view. On that screen, they could also support Apple Watch like "complications." An example of this for me would be showing my current blood glucose reading from my Dexcom glocuse monitor (which would be really useful when driving).

I just want Waze so I know where the popo is.

 

[theLedger]

I just picked up a new car with Apple CarPlay and I really like it and have good luck so far with Siri. Part of that has to do with microphone placement, road noise, and whether or not your turning your head to check on traffic while speaking to Siri.

Like others I wish it supported Waze but Apple as a billion dollar company represents a very large target for injury lawyers. Heck, insurance rates are going up nationwide because of so many fender benders because of distracted driving.

Being a long time Apple fan, I expect that Apple is trying to figure out API's, standards and processes to get more apps onto the device without duly distracting drivers.

One thing I would love is if Apple created a way to overlay a weather radar over Maps so you can zoom out and make active travel decisions.

 

[ekwipt]

I'm just hoping the rumours of Mazda equipping their older models of cars through a system update to be true

 

[IJ Reilly]

Improvements can be made to allow split screen multi-app viewing, the music app overhauled (Apple could take great note of my car's built in Sirius app), addition of simple widget style apps such as weather, stocks, local gas prices, someone else mentioned Watch-style faces (awesome idea!). Lastly the ability for use of 3rd Party apps.

Some of these wish list items you are probably never going to see, because they would be distractions from driving. I mean, do you really need a stock ticker on your dashboard?

 

[trifid]

Siri is so worthless... I feel for those guys in this video. I use Siri for setting the timer only. Nothing else can be done. Cant play english named bands or songs on my german settings, tries to phone complete strangers when I ask to call my wife, wants to send me to Italy when I ask for an restaurant two blocks away, can't set my Philips Hue lights and I even bought a new bridge just to use voice commands! Apple should be ashamed for Siri.

100% my exact issues.

 

[Json81]

You could probably say that CarPlay has no issues.

Siri on CP not understanding me is a Siri issue.
Music app on CP stopped playing music and won't start again without re-plugging in the iPhone is a Music app issue.
Amazon Music on CP not skipping to the next song is a Amazon Music issue.

Considering CP is just an extension of the iOS, and its apps, you could say that CP is working as intended and all the issues are with iOS and the apps.

CP definately has issues. The need for replugging is one.
If amazon music has a CP app and not skipping, yes I would call that a CP issue, either amazons app or something in CP.

But Siri not understanding and maps not finding correct directions has nothing to do with CP because it's exactly the same when using your phone without CP.

I had used Waze on my iPhone in many years. So i got new 2017 Honda CRV including CarPlay. I failed to connect Waze on CarPlay. I still be waiting for update Waze SatNav on CarPlay too long. You explain me how to set up Waze on it.

Just to make clear, audio works. I still need to use the phone screen.
I just plugged it in. Audio from any app works and plays in my speaker system as long as I start it from the phone.

If that doesn't work for you I guess it's a difference in implementation from car manufacturers.
I have a 2017 VW Tiguan.

 

[AshleyHredone]

Try using the Renault R-Link. UTTER rubbish and no option to update it at all (I'm talking about a car a few months old here).
Shame Toyota doesn't have the CarPlay in their new CH-R. That's scuppered that sale. I don't want the equivalent of my entire iPhone on the dashboard but a system that actually does the basics and connects to an iPhone would be great. Frankly I find most of the manufacturers promoted proprietary rubbish to be bordering unusable at best and dangerous at worst.

 

[MrCrowbar]

I have a car on order that supports carplay and android auto. Dunno if I'll ever use it though...

Google Maps if far superior to Apple Maps around here (Germany). Here's a couple of things Apple Maps does wrong:
- Does not paus podcast playback when telling me stuff (unlike Apple maps)
- When I search for an address without city, it usually finds it on another continent and tries to navigate me there...
- no offline mode
- delay updates lag behind Google Maps by about half an hour
- no advanced planning (multiple stops, gas station on the way, etc)
- some roads don't exist any more
- sucks at pronouncing foreign road names (Google does it pretty well actually)