I wish Toyota would make it available in earlier model cars, if feasible. It’s not as if I’m going to buy a new car to get CarPlay, still it would be a nice feature to have for the next ten years or so while I still have the same model car.
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Mazda Remains Committed to Introducing CarPlay But Still Won't Say When
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I have a 17 Mazda CX-5 coming from a Mazda3, I absolutely love both cars. Mazda I believe have the best interior and exterior design in the economy car class. With them you get great beautiful design like the Germans and reliability, which is something that the Germans are known to be awful and really expensive to keep. The Mazda Connect was really good when it came out 4 years ago, but it has been 4 years and nothing has changed, nada, while the competition gets better and better. They are coming out with a new Mazda Connect system in 2018/2019 so that will probably include CarPlay. From personal experience, having CarPlay in my car is not really a must right now for me mainly because Apple still doesn’t let any other navigation app in the system, give me Wase and Google Maps cause Apple Maps is still garbage. Funnily enough, with the Mazda in build navigation I haven’t had any problems getting to places, with Apple Maps twice told me that I had arrived at my destination in the middle of a highway nowhere near the place I was going, the last time it happened I stopped using Apple Maps.
Thanks, im going to look into this... carplay head units have dropped a lot in price this year. There are models under $400. Im quite interested.
No one needs Car Play after the first time you forget your phone and then you use Bluetooth and your Apple Watch to control your iPhone the next time you bring it as you forget to plug it in since it’s still not on your mind since forgetting last time.
You then realize the Apple Watch is easier to use and less intrusive with your vehicles own systems.
I had a Car Play system for a year. Ended up using less and less when I got my AW. So I guess, buy an AW.
You then realize the Apple Watch is easier to use and less intrusive with your vehicles own systems.
I had a Car Play system for a year. Ended up using less and less when I got my AW. So I guess, buy an AW.
I like the style and performance of Infiniti, and I think in the same price range there isn’t anything else that matches.
I really liked the Mazda3 hatch, but they outright lied in my face at the dealership telling me that "Carplay is coming next month", that was Nov 2017... and it's now the middle of Jan 2018 and still NOTHING. So, of course I ended up not buying the car.
2017 Mazda3 where here, and yes I definitely feel I was lied to. I kind of knew that going in thoug, because he was a car salesman. He said “in October [2017] you will be getting a letter from Mazda about CarPlay.” Right...
That being said, I’d be concerned about the wired setup. Currently the available USB ports are not set up correctly to read phone data AND charge the phone. I use a PortaPow data blocker adapter, plugged into the USB port with a charging cable...this cuts off the data feed and gives me full charging capacity. I have no idea how I would charge my phone if I suddenly had to plug it in for CarPlay data.
CarPlay is still not offered in nearly as many supporting car manufacturers’ models as one would hope heading into 2018. I would love its native functionality in my 2013 MDX, but it’s not possible without making a 3rd party install modification.
The 2014 CX-5 had a Tom-Tom navigation unit. That didn't last long. The MazdaConnect however, is a whole different architecture. It was developed by Johnson Controls, who sold the unit to Visteon (A Ford Spinoff), and that platform had CarPlay support for years. In fact it runs Linux and has a WiFi interface (Which Mazda disabled for the US market, of course, but common hacks can re-enable it). Some Mazda cars with the same platform, do have CarPlay, but sold only in China.
Also note that because the head unit is a Linux computer, there is a widely available hack to install Android Auto (But Not CarPlay because it's closed sourced).
Mazda's next generation unit will use the same base as Toyota's Entune 3.0, which was re-written with a Linux kernel. Both Mazda and Toyota will share resources for developing this system.
I have been fighting Audi for 10 months and am now involving the UK motor ombudsman over really frustrating major bugs in Audi's implementation of CarPlay. DRIVES ME INSANE. And Audi have been less than useless about fixing it, despite 5 engineers agreeing it's not working. (Audi Q2 TSFI)
[doublepost=1516102771][/doublepost]I swapped out the audio system in my last CX-5 for an Alpine CarPlay. I loved the simplicity of Alpine's CarPlay and it is less distracting than Mazda's MZD Connect. I was considering doing the same before the purchase of my current MX-5 however it would require a major dashboard redesign. Apple Maps is always current without the hassle of updating and subscribing after three years car purchase of Mazda's mapping SD card. I prefer Siri's open requests over Madza's MZD Connect specific voice commands that require memorising. I could understand if Mazda wanted to differentiate between their models however I was disappointed with no CarPlay in my high end model CX-5 Akera and MX-5 RF GT.
Toyota and Lexus today confirmed that CarPlay will be available in select 2019-and-later vehicles, making Mazda one of the only recognizable automakers--if not the only--without support for Apple's in-car software platform in the United States.
Many of our readers commented or tweeted to ask if and when Mazda will ever support CarPlay, so we reached out to the company for an update. MacRumors received the following statement from Mazda spokesperson Jacob Brown today ensuring that it still plans to offer CarPlay... eventually.Mazda made a similar promise a few times last year. Last March, for example, the automaker told Cars.com that CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility was in the works, and noted the software platforms would be available in both new and older-generation vehicles with its Mazda Connect system.
Mazda Connect appears to have debuted in some 2013 model year vehicles, so a wide range of Mazda vehicles should eventually support CarPlay and Android Auto if and when the company finally fulfills its promise. Of note, like Toyota, Mazda has been listed as a committed CarPlay partner on Apple's website since 2014.
A survey last year indicated that an increasing number of customers consider CarPlay a must-have feature, so like Toyota, it may be worthwhile for Mazda to begin supporting Apple's software platform sooner rather than later.
CarPlay is already available in hundreds of vehicle makes and models around the world, including Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, BMW, MINI, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Acura, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Volkswagen, Volvo, and many others.
As an update to Toyota's announcement, a spokesperson said the automaker doesn't have any plans to support CarPlay in pre-2019 vehicles at this time, even though models like the 2018 Camry and 2018 Sienna have its Entune 3.0 system.
Article Link: Mazda Remains Committed to Introducing CarPlay But Still Won't Say When
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/equivalent
CarPlay (and Android Auto) are years better than nearly every OEM solution. The OEMs mean well but just can't get the programmers & designers to build a great system. And how could they, once everyone has an iPhone/Android, you can't compete with those ecosystems even with the resources of GM or Ford.
The term for the part which sits between the head unit and the car is the "integration computer". The most common one I see is the iDatalink Maestro. It works pretty well. They sell integration harnesses for a lot of car brands which plug right into the car's existing wiring harness like an OEM radio.
My Maestro has crashed once in about two years. The head unit stopped working entirely. Until I figured out what was going on, I actually thought the head unit had died. Just took pressing the reset button on the side to fix. Other than that, I have had no issues.
[doublepost=1516125616][/doublepost]
German cars are unreliable? Not sure where you got that impression. I owned a Corolla for about ten years. My roommate drives a 2007 Audi A6 and it has been less expensive to maintain than the Corolla was. Oil changes are almost unbelievably easy. You just use an oil extractor, and the filter is right on top.
Own my third Mazda. Want to buy my 4th but will not until I can get it with CarPlay. 'nuff said.
I guess it goes by different names, like lots of tech stuff. I think the name of the adapter I got was "factory wiring interface adapter" or something like that.
There are issues with mine also, like some of the steering controls don't work the way that they should, for example, I have a long press of the volume up button to keep turning up the volume, but it doesn't work. This is probably the head unit though.
The most annoying thing is that I cannot program Siri to the steering controls, but again, I think this might be the head unit.
I remember reading in the manual that the unit may need to be reprogramed after a while, which will be a PITA if it happens. Luckily, that has not happened yet.
They are probably referencing VW in the early 2000's, or MB for the past 15 years. MB resale values are ridiculously low due to their unreliability. BMW was never known for their reliability either, although not nearly as bad as MB.
OTOH, Audi is widely known to be a reliable brand.
I wish car manufacturers would give up on their "infotainment" systems. I've never seen one that is actually "good" in anyway. most are just barely passable and frustrating they don't have anywhere near as nice of an interface as an iPad of Android tablet provide. Frustrating that my 2017 Nissan Xtrail still has the same awful system from 2012
Usually, a wiring adapter is just for the steering wheel controls and the physical connection to the speakers. An integration computer does that plus things like gauges which normally show up on the head unit.
The volume thing may be a problem with the adapter or the head unit. The Siri thing is a common issue I see, though. The voice recognition in a lot of cars isn't actually part of the head unit, but is instead part of the Bluetooth module. You may have to hunt down and remove that separate module and change some coding in your car's "convenience" computer (or whatever your OEM calls it; the computer which governs most of the physical controls in the car) to convince the car the voice button is just a normal steering wheel button.
Funny thing with that is Volkswagen Group brands share an enormous amount of stuff. The straight-5 engine in the base Golf/Rabbit is basically half of the Audi V10, which is descended directly from the Lamborghini V10. The RS6 version of my roommate's A6 was actually more powerful than the contemporaneous Lambo V10s. I have limited experience with older German cars, but my impression was always that they had extremely reliable mechanical components (as long as you kept your service intervals), but not always the best electrics. Everyone I've talked to has good things to say about BMW's straight-6 and MB's straight-4 and V6 engines.
The headache I'm running into now is that the big three (and most of the Japanese OEMs, now) all use a fascinating technology called MOST to communicate between a whole bunch of separate components. Where a normal head unit would have the radio, the CD changer, the GPS receiver, and so on all in one box, the Audi has a display up front, then a CD changer in the glovebox, a GPS receiver in the trunk, a separate radio tuner package, a separate DAC/amp package, and so on. It's really neat in that everything is very modular. Extremely complicated to add anything which wasn't a factory option, though. Can't add a normal head unit.
On the plus side, now I have an excuse to research a new communication bus.
Have you used CarPlay? It is okay, and probably better than most infotainment systems, but I am not sure I would turn down a car I liked if it didn't have CP.
I am a long time Mazda fan, I currently own 2 and have owned 5 total. They are not always the most powerful, but they tend to focus on sportier ride, handling, and just makes it fun to drive. They kind of remind me of the Japanese version of BMW.
That said, I am not sure if I am going to buy anymore Mazdas. I think that they have become overpriced for what you get. They have done away with their MazdaSpeeds, and I think this was so they could retain the title of Most Fuel Efficient Car Company. Who knows, maybe they might bring it back....
This is very true for the 2000's VWs, as I owned one. Most things ended up being covered under a recall, but it was non-stop electrical problems. As for the mechanical side of things, German motors have there share of problems too.
For MB, they used to, like 40 years ago, where known for reliability, but with the cars in the last two decades, that has changed. I think MB has one of the worst recent track record for mechanical problems, and the replacement parts are special order from overseas (if you are in the US), and very, very expensive. Which is why buying a used Benz is so cheap. I have read somewhere that MB has made improvements over the past few years, but it might be a while before they are known as a reliable brand.
Audi and BMW are close from most things I read, but I think Audi has a little better reliability in the reviews.
This is true, but that doesn't mean they share everything, and there are many differences. Mazda and Ford shared a lot of stuff over the past 25 years, but they are very different when it comes to reliability.
My personal thought on reliability would put Toyota top on the list. While most their line up is kind of boring at the moment, they seem to always have strong reliability ratings on reviews. Before someone posting their issue with their Toyota, not every Toyota is reliable, but when compared with other brand, they seem to have the most reliable track record.
[doublepost=1516161765][/doublepost]Funny, cause the head of Mazda north America issued a statement at the auto show stating it is coming this year. And will be available on vehicles going back to 2014 with Mazda connect systems.
Toyota and Lexus today confirmed that CarPlay will be available in select 2019-and-later vehicles, making Mazda one of the only recognizable automakers without support for Apple's in-car software platform in the United States.
Many of our readers commented or tweeted to ask if and when Mazda will ever support CarPlay, so we reached out to the company for an update.
MacRumors received the following statement from Mazda spokesperson Jacob Brown today ensuring that it still plans to offer CarPlay. Unfortunately, it still isn't willing to share any additional details at this time.Mazda made a similar promise a few times last year. Last March, for example, the automaker told Cars.com that CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility was in the works, and noted the software platforms would be available in both new and older-generation vehicles with its Mazda Connect system.
Mazda Connect appears to have debuted in 2013 model year vehicles, so a wide range of Mazda vehicles should eventually support CarPlay and Android Auto if and when the company finally fulfills its promise. Of note, like Toyota, Mazda has been listed as a committed CarPlay partner on Apple's website since 2014.
A survey last year indicated that an increasing number of customers consider CarPlay a must-have feature, so like Toyota, it may be worthwhile for Mazda to begin supporting Apple's software platform sooner rather than later.
CarPlay is already available in hundreds of vehicle makes and models around the world, including Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, BMW, MINI, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Acura, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Volkswagen, Volvo, and many others.
As an update to Toyota's announcement, a spokesperson said the automaker doesn't have any plans to support CarPlay in pre-2019 vehicles at this time, even though models like the 2018 Camry and 2018 Sienna have its Entune 3.0 system.
Article Link: Mazda Remains Committed to Introducing CarPlay But Still Won't Say When
Toyota and Lexus today confirmed that CarPlay will be available in select 2019-and-later vehicles, making Mazda one of the only recognizable automakers without support for Apple's in-car software platform in the United States.
Many of our readers commented or tweeted to ask if and when Mazda will ever support CarPlay, so we reached out to the company for an update.
MacRumors received the following statement from Mazda spokesperson Jacob Brown today ensuring that it still plans to offer CarPlay. Unfortunately, it still isn't willing to share any additional details at this time.Mazda made a similar promise a few times last year. Last March, for example, the automaker told Cars.com that CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility was in the works, and noted the software platforms would be available in both new and older-generation vehicles with its Mazda Connect system.
Mazda Connect appears to have debuted in 2013 model year vehicles, so a wide range of Mazda vehicles should eventually support CarPlay and Android Auto if and when the company finally fulfills its promise. Of note, like Toyota, Mazda has been listed as a committed CarPlay partner on Apple's website since 2014.
A survey last year indicated that an increasing number of customers consider CarPlay a must-have feature, so like Toyota, it may be worthwhile for Mazda to begin supporting Apple's software platform sooner rather than later.
CarPlay is already available in hundreds of vehicle makes and models around the world, including Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, BMW, MINI, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Acura, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Volkswagen, Volvo, and many others.
As an update to Toyota's announcement, a spokesperson said the automaker doesn't have any plans to support CarPlay in pre-2019 vehicles at this time, even though models like the 2018 Camry and 2018 Sienna have its Entune 3.0 system.
Article Link: Mazda Remains Committed to Introducing CarPlay But Still Won't Say When[/QUOTE]