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Kenwood's Aftermarket CarPlay and Android Auto Systems Now Shipping

Based on pricing and features & benefits, I still think in-dash mounting of an iPad mini would be the way to go here: http://www.ceoutlook.com/2013/03/13/more-ipad-mini-in-dash-kits-available/ and


That brings EVERY app to the dashboard while trading off options like backup camera video, etc. unless you do it like the guy in the video and leave those functions accessible behind the (pop out) mini. If you can live without a few features (not associated with iOS), that gets you an iPad Mini that can be popped out and used as an iPad Mini too for less-to-much-less than a carplay device (that can't pop out and be an iPad when you're out of the car).

There's also more and fully flush-mounted options where you actually replace the stock screen and hardware that comes with the car so that the mini can go right into the dash (flush) instead of protruding as the one in the video does like this:

hqdefault.jpg


and

maxresdefault.jpg
 
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mmcxiiad said:
Carplay itself is amazing. I have been using it since last year when it was officially released for the pioneer nex. I am using the low end one that I got for $400. Yeah it isn't cheap, but here was my logic:

1. It is a really good head unit in the car.... those typically START at $200 and go up.
2. It replaces a GPS. A good one with a large screen starts at $150.
3. It is very easy to use.... which most car stereos are not.
4. You have easy access to all your music (regardless if it is on your iPhone or not) and iTunes radio... and soon Apple Music.... all built in.
5. Built in Siri. Most things I do, I don't interact with the touch screen, I just have Siri do it for me.
6. Siri will read and respond to text messages for you.
7. Maps is very intuitive, It remembers previously viewed addresses from your phone, iPad or mac and will offer those as suggestions. You can also type in an address.
8. Very easy for a multi-user car. Plug in, unlock and your phone takes over.
9. More apps are coming.
10. This will not be a dead end platform, when your phone gets updated, so does carplay.

Now, my theory on why carpal prices are so steep... because by and large the only way to get it, without buying a new Ferrari or some cars that will be out later this year, are these after market headunits. But, as carplay starts to become more common, the price for it will decline.
Click to expand...

  1. Still pricey for what you're getting.
  2. Your phone is the GPS, the screen is a duplicator.
  3. True but improvements needed
  4. Yes
  5. Siri still has a long way to go in controlling apps on the phone
  6. Most people today don't use text messaging but instead Whatsapp and the ilks.
  7. Again, your phone handles this already.
 
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iBlazed said:
I feel like displaying text messages on the screen is a really bad idea....
Click to expand...

That's why it doesn't do that. If you get a text message Siri tells you about it and the screen will have a button that says "read message" which will make her read it out to you.

Nowhere in the carplay UI can you read text messages as text on the screen.
 
These CarPlay threads are getting more annoying than the Apple Watch threads.

I think all we are missing is an investor note released by Kim Chi Ming or whatever his name is and iSupply to estimate it costs 25 cents to make the thing.
 
BeefCake 15 said:
  1. Still pricey for what you're getting.
  2. Your phone is the GPS, the screen is a duplicator.
  3. True but improvements needed
  4. Yes
  5. Siri still has a long way to go in controlling apps on the phone
  6. Most people today don't use text messaging but instead Whatsapp and the ilks.
  7. Again, your phone handles this already.
Click to expand...


My Carplay head unit has an external GPS antenna that the phone is able to use to improve location accuracy and satellite lock. So while the navigation is being done by Apple Maps on the phone, the head unit isn't just a duplicator screen.

CarPlay is an extension of your phone into your head unit, so it seems odd that your critical points appear to be "the phone does this". Of course it does - that's the whole point. It's a system designed to allow you to use your phone's key features when driving - the key ones being navigation, music/podcasts, basic messaging (via dictation and listening) and phone calls.

As for the cost of the units, sure they could be a little cheaper, but aftermarket head units, especially double DIN ones with large screens, are expensive. Just because the phone handles the bulk of the CarPlay processing doesn't mean the HU is just a screen.
 
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Appradio 4 is still cheaper (it's close to $400 on Amazon) and has a capacitive (instead of resistive) screen. It doesn't have all of the extra bells and whistles of this unit, but you don't need 'em with CarPlay.
 
Thunderhawks said:
These CarPlay threads are getting more annoying than the Apple Watch threads.

I think all we are missing is an investor note released by Kim Chi Ming or whatever his name is and iSupply to estimate it costs 25 cents to make the thing.
Click to expand...

You seem to be very invested in telling everyone that you don't like these threads. Why exactly should we care? Couldn't you follow the instructions I gave you in the other thread for scrolling past news items that you don't find interesting?
 
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But does it support DAB+? SiriusXM or HDRadio are useless except if you're in the US.

If it doesn't support DAB+, does anyone know if they'll make an international version that does?
 
joe-h2o said:
You seem to be very invested in telling everyone that you don't like these threads. Why exactly should we care? Couldn't you follow the instructions I gave you in the other thread for scrolling past news items that you don't find interesting?
Click to expand...

You seem to want to tell people what to do and what not to.

I do like to read peoples opinions and put in my 2 cents.
So do others. Plus, I am interested in tech.

There is info in these posts and treads and on may rethink a bias or other idea.

What I do not like is MRs way of piece mealing the same thing for clicks.

And, like you say: Use your two fingers and scroll past my posts if you don't like my opinions.
You can do that with anybody's!
 
I've got a Pioneer SPH-DA120 and it's crap.

Siri only hears me correctly half the time, and he will happily start directing me to the wrong address because he can't hear me properly.

It only works if you have 3G or greater. This solution is useless if you only have GPRS (data signal not to be confused with GPS).

If you plug in a USB pen full of music you have to use the crappy Pioneer interface, which sucks, so I have to use external local storage. My iPhone is only a 16GB model, so I can't fit much on it, even though I absolutely love it.

Don't get me wrong, in the big cities it works wonders, when you've got constant 4G connections and at worst, 3G. Maps is great provided Siri can make out what you're saying. Perhaps it's just my voice, but even when i clear my throat he still gets it wrong, and I have to re-do text messages or navigations or song choices.
 
The most I'm willing to spend for something like this is $300 tops, and even that seems expensive to me for what it does. Guess I'll be waiting a long time.
 
mmcxiiad said:
Carplay itself is amazing. I have been using it since last year when it was officially released for the pioneer nex. I am using the low end one that I got for $400. Yeah it isn't cheap, but here was my logic:

1. It is a really good head unit in the car.... those typically START at $200 and go up.
2. It replaces a GPS. A good one with a large screen starts at $150.
3. It is very easy to use.... which most car stereos are not.
4. You have easy access to all your music (regardless if it is on your iPhone or not) and iTunes radio... and soon Apple Music.... all built in.
5. Built in Siri. Most things I do, I don't interact with the touch screen, I just have Siri do it for me.
6. Siri will read and respond to text messages for you.
7. Maps is very intuitive, It remembers previously viewed addresses from your phone, iPad or mac and will offer those as suggestions. You can also type in an address.
8. Very easy for a multi-user car. Plug in, unlock and your phone takes over.
9. More apps are coming.
10. This will not be a dead end platform, when your phone gets updated, so does carplay.

Now, my theory on why carpal prices are so steep... because by and large the only way to get it, without buying a new Ferrari or some cars that will be out later this year, are these after market headunits. But, as carplay starts to become more common, the price for it will decline.
Click to expand...
How much did it cost to install or did you do it yourself?
 
Websnapx2 said:
Im pretty sure that’s based off BT, so as long as it has the latest Bt chipset, and you have a modern phone supporting BT LE it will work.
Click to expand...
It uses a combination of bluetooth and ad-hoc wifi. Rumors (based off of FCC documentation) are that the Alpine ILX-007 has a chipset compatible of both that will be enabled via firmware once wireless CarPlay is publicly available.
 
OldSchoolMacGuy said:
Crazy expensive considering the iPhone does all the processing. There's really very little needed from the hardware itself. All you really need is a screen and chipset that works with CarPlay. Sadly the licensing fee raises the price of things. The current cheapest CarPlay compatible deck is around $450 from Pioneer.
Click to expand...

So there's no DAC? No amp needed? no radio tuner or anything else needed? Just a wire from the phone's headphone jack straight into the car's speakers eh?
 
When a CarPlay unit allows me to use Waze I'll consider buying one. I know u could use it on some other older systems but this is what CarPlay is currently lacking in my opinion.
 
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ilfn143 said:
I prefer resistive touch while driving.
Click to expand...

Why? Resistive touch I find to be inaccurate at times and requires more force.

Capacitive touch with Feedback, like the Macbook Trackpads would be perfect though ;P
 
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