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Honda Boosts iOS Car Integration with New HondaLink Services for 2014 Civic, 2015 Fit
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Let's hope for some more progress because this still doesn't cut it. Maybe Ford/GM, Toyota or one of the German auto companies will introduce a much better implementation of iOS in the car, forcing Honda to step up their efforts for 2015/2016 models.
My thoughts exactly. I was really excited about this announcement, and even wondered if Apple itself might release info about iOS in the Car that Honda would piggyback upon. Instead, all I see is an auto company trying to copy iOS (from 5 years ago). Based on Honda's track record getting Siri Eyes Free into the 2013 Accord, I have no faith that this UI will be worth my time or subject to any updates after the next model year is released. There's nothing here that I don't already have in my 2007 Civic that I cobbled together with a male-to-male headphone cable and a $20 lighter-USB bracket arm.
Big disappointment.
For a moment there, I thought Honda just announced "iOS in the Car" that was introduced with iOS 7. But these are just a collection of mediocre apps in the similar vein as Toyota's Entune.
To be fair, Honda's integration and UI seem nicer than Toyota, but that isn't saying much considering just horrible Entune is.
To be fair, Honda's integration and UI seem nicer than Toyota, but that isn't saying much considering just horrible Entune is.
They did it right.
I've seen several posts stating full iOS integrations with Apple UI and such is a better idea. Maybe down the road, but definitely not right now. Actually not ever, but that is more of a personal preference than a statement against iOS.
This is Honda dipping their toe in the water to see if it's cold. If this gets cocked up, it's Honda's baby. If it's full iOS out of the gate and things don't go as planned then Apple takes the brunt of the criticism. Let it mature. Apple is not known for jumping off a cliff. Why would you want them to jump off this one?
Why I think it's a bad idea to tie mass market cars to one specific mobile choice:
Mass market. If you are tied to Android, iOS, or any one ecosystem you limit your appeal to the rest of the mass market. Make no mistake, Honda wants to sell cars not devices. Better would be an underlying architecture that could "speak" to whatever mobile brand the potential owner favors. Whether it's through a cross-platform app or some other means, mass market car makers should want to reach as many potential buyers as possible. In no way am I suggesting the infotainment system will be the sole nexus of the sales transaction. What I am suggesting is when choosing among a few cars certain things are +'s and -'s. Does the infotainment integrate with my phone could be one. If all else is equal, Honda or any car maker would not want the guy with the Nokia Lumia to go buy a Toyota because Toyota's work with all brands. <- Just an example.
I've seen several posts stating full iOS integrations with Apple UI and such is a better idea. Maybe down the road, but definitely not right now. Actually not ever, but that is more of a personal preference than a statement against iOS.
This is Honda dipping their toe in the water to see if it's cold. If this gets cocked up, it's Honda's baby. If it's full iOS out of the gate and things don't go as planned then Apple takes the brunt of the criticism. Let it mature. Apple is not known for jumping off a cliff. Why would you want them to jump off this one?
Why I think it's a bad idea to tie mass market cars to one specific mobile choice:
Mass market. If you are tied to Android, iOS, or any one ecosystem you limit your appeal to the rest of the mass market. Make no mistake, Honda wants to sell cars not devices. Better would be an underlying architecture that could "speak" to whatever mobile brand the potential owner favors. Whether it's through a cross-platform app or some other means, mass market car makers should want to reach as many potential buyers as possible. In no way am I suggesting the infotainment system will be the sole nexus of the sales transaction. What I am suggesting is when choosing among a few cars certain things are +'s and -'s. Does the infotainment integrate with my phone could be one. If all else is equal, Honda or any car maker would not want the guy with the Nokia Lumia to go buy a Toyota because Toyota's work with all brands. <- Just an example.
Especially when your phone can do that for free.....
I wonder if there will be away to access apps on your phone. Some current apps worked with the steering wheel controls already.
Bare fingers required?
They didn't say whether or not the touchscreen will work with gloved fingers. Hard to believe that it wouldn't, but then if it does what's the technology and how well will it work compared to current iOS screens?
They didn't say whether or not the touchscreen will work with gloved fingers. Hard to believe that it wouldn't, but then if it does what's the technology and how well will it work compared to current iOS screens?
Absolutely. I would just wait for the 5+ inches iphone6 then use that mounted on something before I spend 60 bucks on a Honda map app.
What would be nice is if Apple and Google and Microsoft got together (yeah, right 
) and came up with an in-car hardware specification. As far as I'm concerned your phone should run the whole thing, so you're basically talking about just a screen and a series of controls (buttons, dials, whatever). Come up with 2-4 standard configurations, similar to how the Apple MFi spec works for game controllers. Manufactures have a few options for the level of support they want, and can customize the controls any way they want as long as they comply with the spec.
Then, the phone companies handle the software side, completely. Apple, Google, and Microsoft each come up with their own in-dash UI (assuming they want to). Then, everyone who drives gets their phone's custom experience with access to all their data.
The car manufacturers could even still produce their own in-dash systems as a base system, but if you plug a phone in, basically override all of it and drive the screen from the phone. Then Apple, etc. should allow them to write apps which can access car-specific things like engine monitoring, backup cameras, etc.
Because right now I feel like they are daring us to take a saw to the dash and just mount an iPad in there.
) and came up with an in-car hardware specification. As far as I'm concerned your phone should run the whole thing, so you're basically talking about just a screen and a series of controls (buttons, dials, whatever). Come up with 2-4 standard configurations, similar to how the Apple MFi spec works for game controllers. Manufactures have a few options for the level of support they want, and can customize the controls any way they want as long as they comply with the spec.Then, the phone companies handle the software side, completely. Apple, Google, and Microsoft each come up with their own in-dash UI (assuming they want to). Then, everyone who drives gets their phone's custom experience with access to all their data.
The car manufacturers could even still produce their own in-dash systems as a base system, but if you plug a phone in, basically override all of it and drive the screen from the phone. Then Apple, etc. should allow them to write apps which can access car-specific things like engine monitoring, backup cameras, etc.
Because right now I feel like they are daring us to take a saw to the dash and just mount an iPad in there.
So, in the future, when the latest OS isn't supported, will people decide it's time to buy a new car?
Wife's Civic is 12 years old with > 100K miles and still runs great. Thing has literally never had one problem, just regular maintenance stuff.
I have a 2007 Honda Ridgeline with 150,000 miles on it and I have never had any major problems. I've driven dodge trucks majority of my life and I must admit Honda is taking the cake for me in vehicle satisfaction. Hopefully I can find a way to get my hands on one of these and rig it up to my truck. I'm keeping this baby until it won't run any more.
All hail Honda and Apple's iOS integration.
In the list of top 10 best selling cars in the US, Toyota Camery is #1, but Honda Accord and Civic are #2 and #3, respectively
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2013/01/usa-best-selling-cars-2012-year-end.html
Honda's influence on the entire automotive industry is too big, they definitely deserve a lot of respect.
Auto makers designing touchscreen UIs makes about as much sense as Apple and Samsung building car engines. Give us real "iOS in the car" and give it to us now!
Only Apple technologies can forge such innovative and strategic relationships with forward-thinking partners. I'm very excited to see what else is in store for the future.
I'm more impressed that you have a working car with a working tape deck.
Is the iPad worth more than the car?
It is, but it fits!
The reason the navigation app costs $60 is because it will contain local storage of national maps that can be used offline. Local map storage is very important for when you drive through areas where a data connection is unavailable. How are you going to use your precious free, free, free Apple Maps or Google Maps when you don't have a data connection? Two choices: Pull out the old Atlas or get lost in the boondocks.
The price of $60 is very competitive with what offline navigation apps cost. Navigon, Garmin, and TomTom all cost about that much.
I can't wait for more car manufacturers to start including IOS in their cars. I've saying it for years that IOS in the car will be the next big thing for car entertainment.
In my opinion the only car manufacture that is doing anything exciting with their system is BMW. All the others seem to be v dated or bad copies of the BMW Idrive system.
I hope the IOS for cars can also go just beyond entertainment and incorporate vehicle stats like MPG, fault checking and booking for servicing etc
Also agree it would be great if they sell 3rd party devices as well so we don't have to go out and buy a new car.
In my opinion the only car manufacture that is doing anything exciting with their system is BMW. All the others seem to be v dated or bad copies of the BMW Idrive system.
I hope the IOS for cars can also go just beyond entertainment and incorporate vehicle stats like MPG, fault checking and booking for servicing etc
Also agree it would be great if they sell 3rd party devices as well so we don't have to go out and buy a new car.
Ban screens in cars
At a minimum you have to look at the screen to use a touch screen due to the lack of tactile feedback. At worst, the screen actively attracts your attention from the road. A backlit screen creates light in the cabin impairing night vision.
If you can't have a transparent head up display then vehicles should have old school controls that can manipulated by feel, feedback and sound and NOT eye sight.
At a minimum you have to look at the screen to use a touch screen due to the lack of tactile feedback. At worst, the screen actively attracts your attention from the road. A backlit screen creates light in the cabin impairing night vision.
If you can't have a transparent head up display then vehicles should have old school controls that can manipulated by feel, feedback and sound and NOT eye sight.