First CarPlay-Compatible In-Dash Systems Now Available From Pioneer

[blah35]

Loving CarPlay so far with my iPhone 6 Plus and 4000NEX.

Setup was a breeze, and I'm liking listening to iTunes Radio, seeing navigation and sending/receiving text messages. The interface is cleaner than the default Pioneer interface.

On iTunes Radio, for example, album art is displayed full-screen but faded darker behind the song and artist info.

One gripe is that if you pick up your phone and switch to a different app, it will switch what's on the screen. For example, if you're navigating in Apple Maps and pick up your phone to take a picture with your camera, the CarPlay unit switches back to its homescreen. As CarPlay is an extension of your phone (kind of like AirPlay), this makes sense. But still a little weird.

 

[MattZani]

The Hey Siri feature in ios 8 is completely hands free.

No, it's not. You have to press the home button to go back to what you were doing. Navigation for example.

 

[Felix Martinez]

No, it's not. You have to press the home button to go back to what you were doing. Navigation for example.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but "Hey Siri: open..." the name of the app provides app switching. Just used the feature again yesterday on a road trip, hands never left the wheel.

There is a glitch... sometimes after composing and sending a message, asking "read new messages" reads the last composed message instead of new messages that have come in. Either user error, or they will figure it out. It's very promising though.

 

[Spankey]

Source?

My 4000NEX manual says it will play MP3, WMA, AAC, WAVE, FLAC, H.264, MPEG4, WMV, FLV, MKV

from USB

Are you using the USB 1 input? Carplay will only work if your lightning connector is going into the USB 1 input. USB 2 will not work.

 

[EdT]

List of cars (and years) that CarPlay compatible stereo's are available for?

For the stereo's available now, or soon, are there websites with lists of years and models that those units work with? I went to Pioneer's website to look up their NEX models of stereo's, and the most that they give you is car brands that they are compatible with (GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, etc). I doubt that they will install, at least affordably, in all of those brands different models and different model years. So is there a cut off point in how old the car can be? 2 years, 5 years, more? Is there a minimum trim level? If you have steering wheel controls, will those still work or not? This isn't Apples fault, or lack of information, it's the stereo manufacturers. Even before Carplay, people probably wanted to upscale their Sync or Entune factory units to something that sounded better, so where do you find that information?

 

[MattZani]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but "Hey Siri: open..." the name of the app provides app switching. Just used the feature again yesterday on a road trip, hands never left the wheel.

There is a glitch... sometimes after composing and sending a message, asking "read new messages" reads the last composed message instead of new messages that have come in. Either user error, or they will figure it out. It's very promising though.

After using Hey Siri to send a text, the Siri window doesn't automatically close. Why would you use it for app switching? You still can't touch the phone.

 

[spblat]

For the stereo's available now, or soon, are there websites with lists of years and models that those units work with? I went to Pioneer's website to look up their NEX models of stereo's, and the most that they give you is car brands that they are compatible with (GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, etc). I doubt that they will install, at least affordably, in all of those brands different models and different model years. So is there a cut off point in how old the car can be? 2 years, 5 years, more? Is there a minimum trim level? If you have steering wheel controls, will those still work or not? This isn't Apples fault, or lack of information, it's the stereo manufacturers. Even before Carplay, people probably wanted to upscale their Sync or Entune factory units to something that sounded better, so where do you find that information?

You have to rely on a local reputable installer or Crutchfield for that kind of information. Newer cars have steering wheel controls and/or a built-in amplifier and/or car functions integrated into the stock radio, making replacement progressively more difficult. Companies like PAC Audio make interface kits that bring it all together.

 

[EdT]

You have to rely on a local reputable installer or Crutchfield for that kind of information. Newer cars have steering wheel controls and/or a built-in amplifier and/or car functions integrated into the stock radio, making replacement progressively more difficult. Companies like PAC Audio make interface kits that bring it all together.

Thanks. Not sure who to talk to locally, I'll look at Crutchfield first, and then try the local shops.

 

[Jackal22xx]

Having the same issue. Installed firmware on my 4000NEX but nothing happens when plugging in my iPhone 6+. My iOS is updated to 8.0.2 and I also made sure my smart phone settings were setup for connection with USB only. I also see all the CarPlay settings on my 4000NEX but still nothing when I plug in.

I figured out the problem. My 4000NEX had the USB/Lightning cable plugged into USB2 and not USB1 in the back of the unit. Simple fix, just switch the USB cable to USB1 and CarPlay started up immediately.

 

[diamond.g]

Thanks. Not sure who to talk to locally, I'll look at Crutchfield first, and then try the local shops.

Worse case scenario, you can go to Best Buy. They still install Car Audio equipment.

 

[Felix Martinez]

After using Hey Siri to send a text, the Siri window doesn't automatically close. Why would you use it for app switching? You still can't touch the phone.

After sending a text, no need to close, ask Siri to do the next task.

Why switch apps? Toggling between a weather app and maps is an example

While certainly imperfect, Hey Siri can be refined and has a lot of potential.

 

[applehappy]

My 4000NEX works fine with my iPhone 6....

someone else a couple posts above you said that they needed to set up the cable choice to be "usb only" or something.... what i will tell you is that until the receiver recognizes an iPhone is connected with a lightning cable the carplay app starts automatically. Until the unit recognizes the iphone and brings up carplay, theres really no a perceivable difference in the OS.....

Pioneer did post instructions on how to upgrade firmware (I did mine by SD), but they left out some important points:
1) Emergency brake must be set (or bypassed) for the firmware upgrade selection to be active (not grayed out).
2) If you had been using your iphone with your head unit, the head unit smartphone setup is probably set to HDMI and USB. Change this option to USB only and have your USB firewire cable as your only cable. Be sure you are on the correct USB port on the head unit as well.
3) I read a few people had to restart (pwr/home button held down) their iPhone to get it to start working.

 

[applehappy]

Also, I should say that my AVH-4000NEX works great for carplay. VERY snappy screen response and Siri recognition. Everything works as advertised. I've heard people complain for more album art and I agree that the artwork is a bit too faded behind the artist information and control buttons.
I read a few posts stating issues I have seen as well.
1) Hey Siri causes Siri to go active but then a double tone is heard and the Pioneer screen shows Siri as inactive (not listening). This is even if you say "Hey Siri play (whatever song)". I agree with the earlier post that this is a handoff issue between the phone mic and the Pioneer mic. Hope to see it fixed later. If it's an iPhone issue, I'm sure it will be fixed..but if it's a Pioneer issue I'm not so sure as they don't exactly push out frequent firmware updates.
2) On two occasions I have had apps not work properly (messages, podcasts) and had to disconnect the phone, kill the app on the phone, and reconnect the phone for it to work properly, or at least that's what I did.

That's it. Gotta give BIG props to Apple maps too as Siri is very well intigrated into finding places and listing options. The key to maps in a car is voice control for me as I'm always dealing with it on the road or at a stop light. The map color choices during daylight hours are lacking though as the road vs non road vs your position portions of the map don't contrast enough to POP. During night time though, the road/non road/vehicle postion colors are outstanding.

 

[MattZani]

After sending a text, no need to close, ask Siri to do the next task.

Why switch apps? Toggling between a weather app and maps is an example

While certainly imperfect, Hey Siri can be refined and has a lot of potential.

You can't do a command such as "Send and then Switch to Navigon" as it then composes the message "and then switch to Navigon"

 

[Felix Martinez]

You can't do a command such as "Send and then Switch to Navigon" as it then composes the message "and then switch to Navigon"

1) "send"
2) "hey siri - open navigon"

 

[MattZani]

1) "send"
2) "hey siri - open navigon"

I never considered the ability to 'Hey Siri' whilst Siri was still open.

 

[Felix Martinez]

I never considered the ability to 'Hey Siri' whilst Siri was still open.

No prob, it works better than I ever expected, but the Hey Siri feature, when phone is plugged-in of course, was quite a surprise and holds some promise.

 

[kd5jos]

Wrong

Demonstrate that you can do it for less than the $400 the AppRadio costs. Please. List of parts. Everything from the Mac mini to the touchscreen, to the software, to the mounts, power supply, etc. You can't do it for anywhere near the price and that's WITHOUT the huge cost which is the time involved in doing a car computer.

I don't need to demonstrate that it can be done for the lowest value. I'd need to demonstrate that it can be done for less than the highest cost of AppRadio ($1500?). The only hint I'll give, is buy a used core 2 duo mac mini. Figure out the rest on your own if you are interested.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

I don't need to demonstrate that it can be done for the lowest value. I'd need to demonstrate that it can be done for less than the highest cost of AppRadio ($1500?). The only hint I'll give, is buy a used core 2 duo mac mini. Figure out the rest on your own if you are interested.

Why in the world would you compare it to the most expensive one? The least expensive AppRadio does everything so it's what you have to beat.

The lowest cost AppRadio is $599 SUGGESTED retail. That means it'll be available from Amazon for around $350-400 as the previous AppRadio 3 had a $499 suggested retail and sold for $295 on Amazon.

I have no interest in doing it but I'm positive that you can't do it yourself for less. Keep acting silly and pretending you can. No one wants a car computer which is why these things sell instead. Keep being delusional about things kid.

 

[kd5jos]

Why in the world would you compare it to the most expensive one? The least expensive AppRadio does everything so it's what you have to beat.

Uhm, no.

First there is a reason that the most expensive AppRadio exists. Because it does more things than the less expensive one. It is closest to what the full blown MacMini is capable of. So, to get an honest comparison, you would compare the two systems most alike. The two systems most alike are the expensive AppRadio and the MacMini computer.

So all I have to beat (or equal) is the expensive system. Which I'm sure can happen, as I stated. If there is a difference it'll be slight, and the capabilities of the Mac Mini will more than make up for the cost difference.

This is how you do cost comparisons in reality.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Uhm, no.

First there is a reason that the most expensive AppRadio exists. Because it does more things than the less expensive one. It is closest to what the full blown MacMini is capable of. So, to get an honest comparison, you would compare the two systems most alike. The two systems most alike are the expensive AppRadio and the MacMini computer.

So all I have to beat (or equal) is the expensive system. Which I'm sure can happen, as I stated. If there is a difference it'll be slight, and the capabilities of the Mac Mini will more than make up for the cost difference.

This is how you do cost comparisons in reality.

Now you're twisting your entire argument around. This all started with your claim that you could do what CarPlay can with a Mac mini for less.

How ridiculously expensive? You could buy a used Core 2 Duo Mac Mini and a touch screen for less, install them in your car, connect them to the existing head unit, and still come out ahead if only break even.

So show us how you can do everything any CarPlay system can do (even the cheap $400 one) for less as you claimed or admit you're wrong. If you can't backup the claim, then don't bother replying Vinzant.

 

[kd5jos]

Correction below

 

[kd5jos]

Now you're twisting your entire argument around. This all started with your claim that you could do what CarPlay can with a Mac mini for less.



So show us how you can do everything any CarPlay system can do (even the cheap $400 one) for less as you claimed or admit you're wrong. If you can't backup the claim, then don't bother replying Vinzant.

I've already explained it. Is using my last name supposed to intimidate me?

Oh, and you lied.

" install them in your car, connect them to the existing head unit, and still come out ahead if only break even." You even quoted where I said IF ONLY BREAK EVEN. That was in my first post. I included a lot of if's for a reason. So are we done here?

No, you don't get off that easy.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mac-mini-A1...05&prg=10629&rk=6&rkt=6&sd=271600971655&rt=nc

Mac Mini Core 2 Duo $281 from ebay

http://www.mimomonitors.com/products/mimo-720-f-flex-screen-mountable-touchscreen-usb-monitor

7" touch screen $200 from Mimo

http://www.amazon.com/CarNetix-CNX-P1900-Output-DC-DC-Regulator/dp/B004NDPVI6

CarNetix CNX-P1900 Ver. 2.2 Dual Output 140 Watt 12V DC-DC Regulator $85 on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-...&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=us+globalsat+bu-353-s4

GlobalSat BU-353 USB GPS $36 on Amazon

That's $602 For a full blown computer sitting in your car, doing everything CarPlay can and more. I can spend approximately $800 on the screen if I wanted to and still be below the high end cost. The next words out of your mouth better be an apology, because I did it inside the price range for this product. And I did it for SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than the expensive CarPlay system.

Turns out there's even some additional tricks that you can use:
http://www.mp3car.com/the-faq-emporium/66390-faq-installing-a-mac-mini-in-your-car.html

NOW are we done here?

 

[diamond.g]

I've already explained it. Is using my last name supposed to intimidate me?

Oh, and you lied.

" install them in your car, connect them to the existing head unit, and still come out ahead if only break even." You even quoted where I said IF ONLY BREAK EVEN. That was in my first post. I included a lot of if's for a reason. So are we done here?

No, you don't get off that easy.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mac-mini-A1...05&prg=10629&rk=6&rkt=6&sd=271600971655&rt=nc

Mac Mini Core 2 Duo $281 from ebay

http://www.mimomonitors.com/products/mimo-720-f-flex-screen-mountable-touchscreen-usb-monitor

7" touch screen $200 from Mimo

http://www.amazon.com/CarNetix-CNX-P1900-Output-DC-DC-Regulator/dp/B004NDPVI6

CarNetix CNX-P1900 Ver. 2.2 Dual Output 140 Watt 12V DC-DC Regulator $85 on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-...&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=us+globalsat+bu-353-s4

GlobalSat BU-353 USB GPS $36 on Amazon

That's $602 For a full blown computer sitting in your car, doing everything CarPlay can and more. I can spend approximately $800 on the screen if I wanted to and still be below the high end cost. The next words out of your mouth better be an apology, because I did it inside the price range for this product. And I did it for SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than the expensive CarPlay system.

Turns out there's even some additional tricks that you can use:
http://www.mp3car.com/the-faq-emporium/66390-faq-installing-a-mac-mini-in-your-car.html

NOW are we done here?

Is there a touch screen friendly interface that works on the Mac? Front Row no longer works, and XBMC isn't really all that great with a touchscreen.

 

[kd5jos]

Is there a touch screen friendly interface that works on the Mac? Front Row no longer works, and XBMC isn't really all that great with a touchscreen.

You can use 10.6 if you want the Front Row interface, or you could use launchpad (which I KNOW is not spectacular). I don't want to sound like I think you are attacking me with that question, it's a fair question. I was so focused on cost that I may not have considered interface. What is your opinion on my response?