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Sony Reveals Its First CarPlay-Supported Audio System, Coming in November
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I'm a huge Apple fan used them since the 90s, typing this on an iMac and have an iPhone/iPad and even an iPod classic. But while I would have loved to get a headunit with Apples CarPlay I would have had to pay 2-3 times as much as the Android based system I just installed, missing some of the features I now have. Mine cost less than this new Sony unit, comes with a 10 inch screen and purpose made to fit my car, no extra dash panel needed. Took me just a few hours to install myself. While I would have loved something with CarPlay I feel they are just not there yet, both in price and features. Maybe in a few years they will be and I can upgrade my headunit.
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My CJ Lancer had the basic factor HU, I had a few options. Either get a new fascia and universal double DIN headunit or so what I chose and got a headunit built into a new fascia made to fit my car. I do wish there was an affordable Apple CarPlay based headunit with fascia but nothing like that exists right now. So this Sony one would likely cost twice as much as I paid once I got a decent fascia and the headunit.
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For most newer cars that have a built in stereo without the traditional cutout for a single or double DIN head unit you can get an after market fascia, once you remove the factory system to allow most after market head units. Some may have ties to the cars computer and built in BT or other systems so I'd check with a specialist first who will know what can be done for your car.
My CJ Lancer had the basic factor HU, I had a few options. Either get a new fascia and universal double DIN headunit or so what I chose and got a headunit built into a new fascia made to fit my car. I do wish there was an affordable Apple CarPlay based headunit with fascia but nothing like that exists right now. So this Sony one would likely cost twice as much as I paid once I got a decent fascia and the headunit.
I highly doubt many people buy a car based solely on the type of head unit it has. I see no reason why CarPlay devices can't be designed as semi-permanent tablets much the same way as GPS units are. In my previous car (also a Mini), I used the Harmon Kardon Drive+Play for interfacing with my iPod and it was by far the most convenient and least distracting way I've ever used a mobile device in a car. They made a second generation of that device with a much nicer screen and an updated wireless control device, but apparently scrapped the whole product line before it ever hit mass market. To this day I can't figure out why no one ever came out with a similar device with more modern capabilities.
Are there any single din units on the market? (Preferably with a motorised screen.)
My 2004 Hyundai has low kilometers and still has plenty of life in it. I am in the group that would buy a car based on CarPlay compatibility (but would much prefer a compatible single din unit to swap out).
My 2004 Hyundai has low kilometers and still has plenty of life in it. I am in the group that would buy a car based on CarPlay compatibility (but would much prefer a compatible single din unit to swap out).
Too bad I didn't know about this before I got a Kenwood DNX-693S. However, to be fair, I'd probably still have purchased the Kenwood. We plan to take roadtrips to and through areas that don't have cellular reception, thus rendering Maps useless; the Kenwood has a Garmin GPS system that just needs a GPS signal to function. We will be using the Garmin system for those portions of those trips and Maps the rest of the time because the UI is just so much better and it integrates with my calendar.
So far I have been happy with it and 90% of the time I'm using CarPlay, so the UI isn't a problem... but for the times when I want to listen to radio (it does have HD capability, including subchannels), I really don't like the built-in UI much. I'm hoping Kenwood will improve it in the future, but I'm doubtful.
I specifically chose a non-nav-equipped second-generation (2008-2012) Ford Escape when purchasing a used vehicle. I wanted something that would accept a double-DIN CarPlay unit (Crutchfield will sell you the panel you need along with the radio) and I like the boxy styling and the practicality of it.
It's perfect for what I need in a vehicle right now and it's got lots of nice-to-have things like dual-zone temperature control (some family members like their cars hotter than I do; this eliminates fights when they ride with me), a rear view camera (which displays in the rear view mirror, though I could have routed that to the head unit), moonroof, auto headlights, and it can accept a block heater and there's aftermarket projector headlights to be had for it that I'll be fitting with LEDs for better night visibility.
It really is a shame that it's getting harder and harder to install an aftermarket navigation/radio, but at least the factory ones are getting better (slowly) and CarPlay/Android Auto support are becoming more and more common.
So far I have been happy with it and 90% of the time I'm using CarPlay, so the UI isn't a problem... but for the times when I want to listen to radio (it does have HD capability, including subchannels), I really don't like the built-in UI much. I'm hoping Kenwood will improve it in the future, but I'm doubtful.
I specifically chose a non-nav-equipped second-generation (2008-2012) Ford Escape when purchasing a used vehicle. I wanted something that would accept a double-DIN CarPlay unit (Crutchfield will sell you the panel you need along with the radio) and I like the boxy styling and the practicality of it.
It's perfect for what I need in a vehicle right now and it's got lots of nice-to-have things like dual-zone temperature control (some family members like their cars hotter than I do; this eliminates fights when they ride with me), a rear view camera (which displays in the rear view mirror, though I could have routed that to the head unit), moonroof, auto headlights, and it can accept a block heater and there's aftermarket projector headlights to be had for it that I'll be fitting with LEDs for better night visibility.
It really is a shame that it's getting harder and harder to install an aftermarket navigation/radio, but at least the factory ones are getting better (slowly) and CarPlay/Android Auto support are becoming more and more common.
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OK, Kazuo Hirai, no need to convert me
, I'm a big life-long fan of their TVs, and hope they don't pull out of that market in light of their staggering losses in that business segment. (past TV division losses totaling $7.8 billion over a decade)Wait. You expect companies to focus on proprietary (and extremely ugly) radio systems like that? Really? That's your fault for buying a car with a ridiculous radio and expecting companies to build for it. Most cars out there either use DIN set-ups or are easy enough to convert to DIN set-ups through the aftermarket. That monstrosity is just that -- a monstrosity.
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That's exactly why I went with a Pioneer 5200. The built-in GPS. I love the AppRadio that they offer (and it's cheap like the Sony at $400-500 or so), but I want the stand-alone, dedicated GPS module as well for those times when cell service is spotty.
This came in very handy up in the mountains in Vermont when I went on vacation with my girlfriend a couple of months back. Cell service was awful in certain spots (even with Verizon). The Pioneer GPS functioned perfectly, though.
Announced ... for November. Why so slow to release? I expected Sony to have all of the manufacturing in place to deliver much more quickly.
I'm still having trouble understanding what the key-advantages are using Car Play. Seems like too much hassle for what benefits you get in return.
Since you were apparently too busy thinking of ways to bring up the fact that you took a vacation and have a girlfriend to read further down the thread, I'll quote my own post where I said,
"I see no reason why CarPlay devices can't be designed as semi-permanent tablets much the same way as GPS units are. In my previous car (also a Mini), I used the Harmon Kardon Drive+Play for interfacing with my iPod and it was by far the most convenient and least distracting way I've ever used a mobile device in a car. They made a second generation of that device with a much nicer screen and an updated wireless control device, but apparently scrapped the whole product line before it ever hit mass market. To this day I can't figure out why no one ever came out with a similar device with more modern capabilities."
If you've managed to figure out what my proposed solution to the DIN problem is now, you'll note that nowhere in this thread did I ever suggest that radio manufacturers should be devising custom built-in solutions for the dash layouts of every vehicle in production. You'll also notice that I was able to get all of my thoughts out without going out of my way to insult anyone's car choices or interior design. In fact, my car was dealer spec'ed and had almost every other feature I was looking for and I was able to pay $2,000 less than its book price since it was a late model. Trust me, I would have vastly preferred the optional A/V screen that takes the place of the center mounted speedometer, but sadly dealers don't seem to think people care about that.
I see absolutely no reason why you found it necessary to be so rude and immature in responding to the point that I and others in this thread have tried to make, which is that double DIN radio mounts are near antiquated at this point. You see, most car manufacturers have realized by now that they were losing money to the vast aftermarket car stereo market and decided to design proprietary stereos so their customers have to pay their exorbitant asking prices if they want something better. And just so we're clear—I can almost guarantee that while you may not like the look of my stereo, it sounds far superior to anything you may have in your car, coincidentally thanks to a speaker and amplifier setup that was designed and tuned specifically for R56 Mini Coopers.