Toyota and Lexus to Offer CarPlay in Select 2019 Vehicles and Beyond in United States

[sirozha]

It is way past time for Honda and Toyota to offer Apple Car Play. We have Lexus and Acura SUV’s and have totally useless navigation systems. Both of us use our iPhones for navigation.

Honda offers CarPlay already.
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CarPlay is very disappointing. Limited apps with limited functionality. It is also very buggy and doesn’t integrate well with other radio functions like SiriusXm. A dash mounted iPhone connected via Bluetooth is a superior solution at this point.

You only say this because you don’t have the capability. I do prefer android auto to CarPlay, though.
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Good news if you are 70 years old and always wanted an Toyota Avalon!

70-

Agree - spent 30+ minutes installing on my Hyundai Tucson. Completely underwhelmed. No Waze, no Google maps. Only Apple maps and a very poor implementation at that. If you have a really bad infotainment system than it might be better but CarPlay is not better than the good systems. It’s a proof of concept.

Buy a cheap Android phone (Moto G4 Play works just fine). Plug it in and keep in the car permanently. Use it for
Android Auto on your new head unit. You can choose between Google Maps and Waze. Much better than CarPlay.

 

[mikecorp]

Everybody who has CarPlay knows, it is absolute rubbish!

 

[DotCom2]

Everybody who has CarPlay knows, it is absolute rubbish!

Please explain.
I don't have it but want to get it on my next car.

 

[sirozha]

Everybody who has CarPlay knows, it is absolute rubbish!

That’s true. However, Android Auto Comes out at the same time as CarPlay on the head unit. CarPlay capability usually means android auto capability as well.

 

[redscull]

the technology implemented today in automobiles will be obsolete by the time most people buy this model year.

The Entunes in my 2018 Camry is already obsolete, and I’ve only owned the car since September (4 months). I can no longer utilize it whatsoever and am back to using my iPhone for everything. The car is fantastic. The tech in it is garbage.

 

[jav6454]

I amazed at how long it's taking car companies to make this a standard. No one want some clunky UI designed by a car company.

Not allc ar makers have clunky infotainment systems. Ford's Sync3 is very good.

 

[sirozha]

The Entunes in my 2018 Camry is already obsolete, and I’ve only owned the car since September (4 months). I can no longer utilize it whatsoever and am back to using my iPhone for everything. The car is fantastic. The tech in it is garbage.

I have a 2006 Lexus GS, and I stooped using navigation on it in 2010 or 2011, when Google Maps cane out with turn-by-turn directions.

 

[monokakata]

Entune is the clunkiest POS. About time Toyota

For sure. I'm stuck with the POS Entune for many more years (4Runner; I'm planning to keep it for a long time). Entune is just awful.

 

[mons00n1]

Yes. But realize that Toyota head units are the only way to access certain vehicle settings. Including things like how long Light’s stay on when you leave, beep volume when using fob etc.

Replacing the radio, now your radio is just a radio and those settings are forever in stone.

Actually I have extensive control for customizing the system in my Highlander.
I haven't navigated through all the various settings but I highly doubt I lost all that much if anything.

The largest feature I lost was the 360 birds eye view camera interface. I'm not sure if the stock head unit did the video stitching/processing or if that is handled outside of the head unit and it's just a video feed input. If it's just a video feed input I can also recover that feature/function as well.

 

[IJ Reilly]

I live in japan, and while the majority of people are iPhone users (55-60%), the Japanese industry is extremely scared of evolution of any kind except robotics (hence Peppa and e-palette making their ways to Olympic Games).
I absolutely hate the in-car navigation. My car is the Toyota equivalent of a Lexus (once RX450, now called Harrier), but I bet I won’t see CarPlay for a long time.
I am still hoping they move their butts and offer electric only SUVs and Wagons soon. I like their cars and the quality (being German myself), but currently I am glancing at Tesla and Mercedes

If CarPlay support matters, you should know you will never see it in a Tesla car. It used to be said of Apple that they would never adopt any technology "not invented here." Tesla now owns that title without a contest.

I surprised myself last year by purchasing a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The same range as a Tesla at less than half the price, and CarPlay is supported on the large touchscreen display. I don't know if they can be found in Japan yet but they are being sold under the Opel brand name in Europe.

 

[truthertech]

It is way past time for Honda and Toyota to offer Apple Car Play. We have Lexus and Acura SUV’s and have totally useless navigation systems. Both of us use our iPhones for navigation.

Fortunately, most Honda's, and a few Acura's, have offered CarPlay for awhile. Toyota has been the holdout.

 

[Lepton]

Wireless CarPlay and wireless charging FTW! Which car maker will be first?

 

[serialtoon]

Oh great. So my 2017 Prius Prime with 11.6” capacitive display isn’t getting car play or android auto. Waste of space screen.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Wired only... so miserable. I don't plug my phone in on every drive, and when I do it's not to the USB port since that is not a high speed charging option. Big miss here, making it wired.

Only one carmaker has implemented wireless CarPlay, BMW, and only on a few models, and as a costly option.

 

[truthertech]

If CarPlay support matters, you should know you will never see it in a Tesla car. It used to be said of Apple that they would never adopt any technology "not invented here." Tesla now owns that title without a contest.

I surprised myself last year by purchasing a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The same range as a Tesla at less than half the price, and CarPlay is supported on the large touchscreen display. I don't know if they can be found in Japan yet but they are being sold under the Opel brand name in Europe.

Whoever said that about Apple didn't have any idea what they were talking about as Apple has always been primarily an integrator of technology invented elsewhere, and proudly so. Indeed, Steve Jobs used it as a point in many of his talks, e.g., when he talked about the foundational technology he got from Xerox that was the core of his modern OS and hardware.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Everybody who has CarPlay knows, it is absolute rubbish!

Nonsense. I have it and like it.

 

[BarracksSi]

Product development cycles are much longer in the automotive industry. But then so are product life cycles.

It is easy these days to see automobiles on the road that are ten years old. How many people on here are using a ten year old smartphone.

You Bri g up a very good issue, however. With the rate of technological change in the mobile device industry, the technology implemented today in automobiles will be obsolete by the time most people buy this model year. I am very interested to see how the automotive industry addresses this. I am also interested to see if a sub-industry springs up to provide technology upgrades to older vehicles.

The Android-based OS that runs in my Honda Civic is using, I think, not KitKat, not Ice Cream Sandwich, but FroYo (or whatever version is long gone that starts with "F"). It blows.

Thank goodness it has CarPlay, though.

 

[Weaselboy]

Wireless CarPlay and wireless charging FTW! Which car maker will be first?

BMW offers both now on some models. I know the 5-series offers both.

 

[truthertech]

I agree with all the posts that wonder why it is taking so long for auto makers to make this standard, if not just an option. I put the Alpine wireless CarPlay unit in my truck last month, and I can't see driving without it now. Plus all CarPlay units from here forward should be wireless. It really is much, much better, but right now Alpine is the only company to offer an aftermarket model, and they are only selling 1 model. Wheels are turning very slowly...

I don't think people realize the number of cars that offer CarPlay. There are now well over 200 models that have it.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Whoever said that about Apple didn't have any idea what they were talking about as Apple has always been primarily an integrator of technology invented elsewhere, and proudly so. Indeed, Steve Jobs used it as a point in many of his talks, e.g., when he talked about the foundational technology he got from Xerox that was the core of his modern OS and hardware.

Yes to a degree, but mostly, no. For one, Apple didn't get any technology from Xerox. The only thing Steve Jobs really got from Xerox was his first look at a GUI. In any case, the "not invented here" thing is a bit of an exaggeration to make the point about Apple's penchant (especially in earlier years) for trying to come up with new ways of doing settled things. For example, ADB, AppleTalk, and NuBus (the latter not invented at Apple strictly speaking, but Apple was virtually the only one to use it).

 

[CaryMacGuy]

Everybody who has CarPlay knows, it is absolute rubbish!

I wouldn't go as far as to say that it is "rubbish." However, it is still somewhat half-baked. For me, the benefit of that interface is that automakers are less prolific when it comes to providing software updates to its in-cabin tech. While CarPlay could be improved for sure, Apple tends to provide frequent updates to iOS and that might include CarPlay. Let's say you have a 5-year-old car with CarPlay and Apple totally redesigns the CarPlay interface and gives it some exciting new features, you get those new features for free in your aging car. Such upgradability would never happen if it were left up to the auto manufacturer.

 

[44267547]

I amazed at how long it's taking car companies to make this a standard. No one want some clunky UI designed by a car company.

Especially Entune, for those who do use it, have not had very positive things to say about it and its user interface. This change will be much welcomed for the future of Toyota/Lexus.

 

[IJ Reilly]

I wouldn't go as far as to say that it is "rubbish." However, it is still somewhat half-baked. For me, the benefit of that interface is that automakers are less prolific when it comes to providing software updates to its in-cabin tech. While CarPlay could be improved for sure, Apple tends to provide frequent updates to iOS and that might include CarPlay. Let's say you have a 5-year-old car with CarPlay and Apple totally redesigns the CarPlay interface and gives it some exciting new features, you get those new features for free in your aging car. Such upgradability would never happen if it were left up to the auto manufacturer.

Call it a work in progress, which as you point out, is a lot better situation than what we can expect from the automakers. From them, what you bought is what you get, for as long as you own the car.

 

[redman042]

It's AFT, Toyota. I didn't even consider your brand when car shopping last month, and the lack of CarPlay (and lousy infotainment in general) was a significant factor.

Went with an '18 Accord, which has one of the nicest infotainment systems (with CarPlay) that I've ever used. Glad to see you coming around, and that voting with our dollars actually works.

 

[truthertech]

Yes to a degree, but mostly, no. For one, Apple didn't get any technology from Xerox. The only thing Steve Jobs really got from Xerox was his first look at a GUI. In any case, the "not invented here" thing is a bit of an exaggeration to make the point about Apple's penchant (especially in earlier years) for trying to come up with new ways of doing settled things. For example, ADB, AppleTalk, and NuBus (the latter not invented at Apple strictly speaking, but Apple was virtually the only one to use it).

After Jobs made a deal with Xerox to be able to invest in Apple IPO in exchange for a visit to the famous PARC labs and Jobs got the visit he wanted : "Jobs, meanwhile, raced back to Apple, and demanded that the team working on the company’s next generation of personal computers change course. He wanted menus on the screen. He wanted windows. He wanted a mouse. The result was the Macintosh, perhaps the most famous product in the history of Silicon Valley."