Toyota Chooses SmartDeviceLink Over CarPlay and Android Auto

[TheRealTVGuy]

I have a Prius, and while I wish I could get native Car Play support for it, I'd prefer to get MPG in the 30s or 40s (sometimes even 50s). For me, BlueTooth audio is fine for me. I don't see myself using anything else in Car Play that much anyways.

I'm right here with you. I have a 2008 Gen II Prius and I'm torn trying to figure out if I want to install a DICE style adaptor to connect my iPhone to the OEM radio, or if I want to purchase an aftermarket CarPlay system and lose my steering wheel controls and Prius TouchScreen/Radio integration.

 

[stevemiller]

Easy to fix if it is anything like my Mercedes. Press on the little Speaker icon while navigating, and turn on "Allow HFP Audio" and switch it to Hands Free for the car, and now navigation instructions will trick the car into playing navigation instructions even over non iPhone sources like the radio, sat radio, etc! it is awesome, and I discovered this hidden gem in iOS 9

someone else mentioned this HFP option, and i've yet to see it, even when i've established a bluetooth connection and go to the speaker icon while navigating (it just shows the iphone/car speaker toggles, and car is already selected).

looking on apple's support doc, this feature is in fact exactly what i want... but says that it depends on the vehicle. even more insanely... if i use waze, it DOES do exactly this, but i disapprove of their ads-while-driving tactics, and it has horrible battery drain issues. i've force quit the app from the app switcher and its still showing ongoing usage.

 

[acidsoul]

Toyota isn't my favorite brand, but this decision by Japan's largest manufacturer disappoints me.
Japanese Electronics post iPod era are weak, it's these decisions that drive our companies weaker.

 

[TheMacApple]

Why is everyone so excited about CarPlay or whatnot. Just another way for the cell companies to do 2 things.
They gonna use your data and charge you unless your unlimited
Then there gonna market you as they know everything about where you go and when
Hackers will know when your not home and loot ya

 

[dontwalkhand]

someone else mentioned this HFP option, and i've yet to see it, even when i've established a bluetooth connection and go to the speaker icon while navigating (it just shows the iphone/car speaker toggles, and car is already selected).

looking on apple's support doc, this feature is in fact exactly what i want... but says that it depends on the vehicle. even more insanely... if i use waze, it DOES do exactly this, but i disapprove of their ads-while-driving tactics, and it has horrible battery drain issues. i've force quit the app from the app switcher and its still showing ongoing usage.

It is finicky, sometimes I have to bring up the screen a few times before that option even shows up. Thanks to the Apple "it just works" phenomenon lol
[doublepost=1451971127,1451970997][/doublepost]

I'm right here with you. I have a 2008 Gen II Prius and I'm torn trying to figure out if I want to install a DICE style adaptor to connect my iPhone to the OEM radio, or if I want to purchase an aftermarket CarPlay system and lose my steering wheel controls and Prius TouchScreen/Radio integration.

Go for the dice. The Prius has a lot of setup options that are vehicle specific that you really shouldn't lose.

 

[73b]

All these 'i'm not buying a toyota posts'. I find it funny that you guys would base your $20k+ purchasing decision on the radio! Sure, I can see it swinging your decision but to completely ignore an entire manufacturer because it doesn't have the 'Apple sticker' is a bit sheepish.

Exactly. I can't believe people care more about what's on a touchscreen than they do about a car's safety, reliability, etc

 

[2457282]

I'm not an industry expert. I see it as pretty smart how the auto industry is slowly adopting CP/AA and still developing their own systems. I also think it's damn smart to have CP/AA as phone extensions that ride (pun intended?) on the car makers system. Their systems integrate with critical functionality. CP/AA should not have that type of integration, imo.

Why they still make their own?
1. They realize that vast majority of car buyers don't care about CP/AA. It's too new. Heck, even on tech savvy sites like MR a lot of people still don't actually know what CP is and what it does and does not do. The number of people who want a car to have CP/AA vs the number of people who want a car is pretty small... right now. Since it's basically an overlay, they can give people CP/AA and still have their own for those who don't care. Choice is a good thing.

2. Update issues. The auto industry doesn't change the way the tech industry does. How many times over the life of a car will CP/AA be updated? How will those updates affect the function of the system? How will those updates be implemented? USB drive from a dealership? from home via iTunes? wireless update via phone? What if an update borks the system. Several iOS/Android updates did that to mobile devices recently. That's annoying on a phone, but potentially dangerous on a car.

3. Continued improvement. They all have their own ideas about what makes a good system. Not every idea is a good one. Like any industry, they borrow what works from their competitors and add it to what they already have. The industry moves forward. Just like they're going to look at CP/AA and see what works with those systems. They'll take what they consider to be "the good" and leave the bad and the ugly.

Seems like a reasonable argument. Maybe this will turn out like ROKR -- they put itunes on a phone OS until they could roll out their own phone and OS. Here it will be the Apple Car with a single USBC or Lightning port.

 

[Muscle Master]

Toyota has always been conservative to the point of almost being against innovation. Great cars though, I have had many and I can say they are the best quality hands down, by also hands down the ugliest.

9 yrs old ugly betty has had fewer problems than my new BMW. Their hybrids are build to last!

Toyota should reconsider, they should jump on the winning ships instead of joining in 5 years. It's called risk, they should learn to take some. I have high hopes for Android auto and Carplay, car interface sucks, and ford/toyota have been quite horrible at it.

Glad someone sees through the bs marketing... The only reason Toyotas are reliable is because the 1.8 in the Corolla is over 10 years old!!!!

At least 90% of GM's engine lineup is Direct Injected

 

[shareef777]

I don't know that I would base my decision on the radio. But certainly between a Camry and an Accord, the exclusion of CarPlay/ Android Auto in the Camry certainly would make me want to take a look at the Accord. As a 20k+ purchasing decision, either way, CarPlay/Android Auto could be an edge to choose an Accord over a Camry.

Absolutely. It will make a difference when choosing a car, but to just completely ignore a manufacturer is kinda ridiculous. IE, I'd take a Camry without CarPlay over a Fusion WITH CarPlay. There are LOTs of more important features in a car then the infotainment system. I'm personally a Honda guy myself and my 2013 Accord Touring doesn't have CarPlay. It supports siri eyes free, but Honda is being too cheap to upgrade my radio and I don't want to pay over $100 just for that simple feature. With that said, IF the Camry had CarPlay and the Accord didn't I would still stick with the Accord. I just found the overall design/ride of the car to be superior to the Camry.
[doublepost=1452018574,1452018024][/doublepost]

I find it odd that on a $20k+ purchase you wouldn't want or expect it to have the type of interface that works best with the other devices that you use and own. I am currently on my third Lexus; my next vehicle purchase, which will likely be in about 16 months, will have to have a number of features; and for the money I spend, seamless integration with my iPhone (which I use a lot on a daily basis) will be high on that checklist. Considering the number of vehicles that will be offering that feature at that time, car manufactures that leave it out may do so at their own peril.

Like I said, it'll help swing my decision, but it's much lower on the list. Performance, fuel efficiency, safety features, roominess, design. There are other far more basic features that I find useful then CarPlay (auto headlights/wipers). On my Accord I have two independent key FOBs for myself and wife. When either of us approaches the vehicle it senses which key FOB is on the drivers side and adjusts the seat to our preset position. I'm 5'11" and my wife is 4'8". THAT'S a feature worth having. Having Siri read messages for me isn't all that great considering I can do that now in my car that doesn't have CarPlay (iPhone 6c connected via bluetooth). Just say "hey siri, read my messages" and it's done. It even works wirelessly with the phone in my pocket (where as that's not available with CarPlay).

 

[edc415]

Have a 2010 Prius IV here with the fully loaded infotainment system. The car is reliable, comfortable and great on gas, but using the radio, navigation, etc is a nightmare. The voice command system requires so much work and so many steps, it's more distracting than punching in the address driving 80 miles an hour eating a cheeseburger and making a U turn all at the same time (sarcasm intended but you get my point ).

I would never buy another Toyota Prius with their Navigation System. It outdates quickly, hard to use, and my iPhone with Google Maps (my preference over Apple Maps) makes a much better navigation system. My current solution is a vent mount for the iPhone and connecting it through bluetooth. I listen to Audiobooks, Music, and am able to get to where I need to go.

Is CarPlay everything it's hyped up to be? I played around with it at BestBuy and wasn't convinced. Of Course I only spent 15 minutes trying to figure it out and using it.

What would work for me without having to rely on CarPlay is to have a car mode for the iPhone and iPad where you get a simplified handsfree display like CarPlay. I don't condone or like texting while driving and being able to do a quick voice response to a text message that is read to me would be great.

Is there a way to do this without Jailbreaking the phone? Apple, are you listening? The iPhone is great navigation and central information device. Why add another piece of hardware? Bluetooth or hardwire integration into steering wheel controls would be nice as well.

 

[impossibletobelieve]

Toyota announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Ford and Livio to deploy SmartDeviceLink, an open source infotainment platform for in-car smartphone connectivity.

For now, this means the world's largest automaker, continues to pass over CarPlay, which has seen wider adoption in 2016, despite being listed as a committed CarPlay partner on Apple's website.SmartDeviceLink, which can be customized to match each carmaker's in-car system characteristics and interface, was originally developed by Ford, which uses its own version of the software called AppLink as part of its larger SYNC platform. Toyota will be the first carmaker to adopt SDL, while QNX and UIEvolution announced on Monday they will support the software in their future products.Ford and Fiat Chrysler both announced today that CarPlay and Android Auto support will be added to select 2016 and 2017 vehicles, singling out Toyota as the only top five automaker to hold out on Apple's and Google's software. Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai also announced specific CarPlay plans in recent weeks.

CarPlay is or will be available in a wide range of 2016 and 2017 vehicles from Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo. The feature is included stock or as an upgrade by itself or as part of a larger entertainment package.

Toyota will demonstrate an SDL integration in the Livio exhibit (LVCC) at CES 2016.


Article Link: Toyota Chooses SmartDeviceLink Over CarPlay and Android Auto

I just saw CarPlay for the first time last night on my wife's new car which was obviously not a Toyota. However, I DO have a Toyota and am very jealous of this product. Cannot believe Toyota's position on this and unless they change they will be left in the dust of all of the other manufacturers. What a shame.

 

[KennyG3]

Toyota announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Ford and Livio to deploy SmartDeviceLink, an open source infotainment platform for in-car smartphone connectivity.

For now, this means the world's largest automaker, continues to pass over CarPlay, which has seen wider adoption in 2016, despite being listed as a committed CarPlay partner on Apple's website.SmartDeviceLink, which can be customized to match each carmaker's in-car system characteristics and interface, was originally developed by Ford, which uses its own version of the software called AppLink as part of its larger SYNC platform. Toyota will be the first carmaker to adopt SDL, while QNX and UIEvolution announced on Monday they will support the software in their future products.Ford and Fiat Chrysler both announced today that CarPlay and Android Auto support will be added to select 2016 and 2017 vehicles, singling out Toyota as the only top five automaker to hold out on Apple's and Google's software. Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai also announced specific CarPlay plans in recent weeks.

CarPlay is or will be available in a wide range of 2016 and 2017 vehicles from Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo. The feature is included stock or as an upgrade by itself or as part of a larger entertainment package.

Toyota will demonstrate an SDL integration in the Livio exhibit (LVCC) at CES 2016.


Article Link: Toyota Chooses SmartDeviceLink Over CarPlay and Android Auto

[doublepost=1465974621][/doublepost]I can't believe Toyota is doing this. Their navigation stinks. Entune stinks. Now they are going down the wrong path again. I've been a Toyota fan for years and have had 4 different Toyota's but I may have to switch.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

[doublepost=1465974621][/doublepost]I can't believe Toyota is doing this. Their navigation stinks. Entune stinks. Now they are going down the wrong path again. I've been a Toyota fan for years and have had 4 different Toyota's but I may have to switch.

If they stick that junk in a high end Lexus, they are going to have a problem pushing it to people that are 'more technologically advanced' than Ford drivers who already settled for a joke...

 

[Muscle Master]

If they stick that junk in a high end Lexus, they are going to have a problem pushing it to people that are 'more technologically advanced' than Ford drivers who already settled for a joke...

This ain't the 90's or the early 2000s anymore... My 2013 Ford Fusion with the 1.6. Ecoboost has been flawless and it's a pretty fun DD

My 2013 RAV4 AWD... Has been a nightmare

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

This ain't the 90's or the early 2000s anymore... My 2013 Ford Fusion with the 1.6. Ecoboost has been flawless and it's a pretty fun DD

My 2013 RAV4 AWD... Has been a nightmare

I was steered to the RAV4 at the local dealer by a clueless sales minion. They also showed me the Highlander, and I ended up with the FJ Cruiser. The RAV4 seemed to be on a car chassis. Same with the highlander. What issues have you had with the RAV4? Just curious...
[doublepost=1466080848][/doublepost]

[doublepost=1465974621][/doublepost]I can't believe Toyota is doing this. Their navigation stinks. Entune stinks. Now they are going down the wrong path again. I've been a Toyota fan for years and have had 4 different Toyota's but I may have to switch.

I had a Prius, described as 'the most advanced car on the road today'. it had three choices for the audio head unit. 1) basic radio/cd, 2) radio/cd changer/XM, 3) radio/cd changer/XM/nav. The problem was iPod. With the basic, just add the cable, easy. With the 'nav', add the cable, easy. With the 'mid', suffer... It seemed that the mid unit was the basic unit with a changer, and the XM plugged into the expansion port INSIDE the unit. The iPod cable could connect to the unit, but would not work. The dealer, at first, sold me the cable saying 'someone had gotten it to work', but it didn't. Then they said 'Opps, our bad. Call Toyota', which got me a 'No, and not in the future either. Buy the nav unit and you are golden', for somewhere in the mid-thousands!

So much for being the 'most advanced car on the road today'.

After I sold it, the dealer calls and says they can fix the unit by trading in my Prius for a new one. I didn't laugh...

In my FJ, the iPod connects fine, but the UI is so slow and cludgy I never use it. *shrug*

But I wonder if this decision by Toyota has more to do with JBL than Toyota? Every Toyota I've ever had has had JBL Audio.

 

[Born Again]

so im in the market for a prius and an iphone user.

guess what? no carplay ? I think i'll live. Nobody is going to skip a $30k decision on carplay especially if it forces you to use the crappy apple maps.

 

[ftaok]

so im in the market for a prius and an iphone user.

guess what? no carplay ? I think i'll live. Nobody is going to skip a $30k decision on carplay especially if it forces you to use the crappy apple maps.

But if it's between two vehicles that are otherwise even, Carplay/Android might be the swing vote.

If I had a choice between an Accord or a Camry, and the Accord supported my iPhone ... guess what, I'm leaning to the Accord. Unless the Toyota dealer can give me a super deal so that I could go out and buy a compatible head unit with the savings, I'm leaning the other way.

 

[Soccertess]

But if it's between two vehicles that are otherwise even, Carplay/Android might be the swing vote.

If I had a choice between an Accord or a Camry, and the Accord supported my iPhone ... guess what, I'm leaning to the Accord. Unless the Toyota dealer can give me a super deal so that I could go out and buy a compatible head unit with the savings, I'm leaning the other way.

I can say the interface for Toyotas are HORRIBLE!!!! And god forbid if you live in Canada and can't even use Entune! While I love my Toyota, I must acknowledge the fact that it has a horrible interface.

Actually, my favorite part of the interface is when the maps freezes, and I have to pull over, and restart the car to get access to the console!

So good on Toyota to pick a new vendor, but too bad it isn't someone that makes great interfaces!

 

[stevemiller]

I can say the interface for Toyotas are HORRIBLE!!!! And god forbid if you live in Canada and can't even use Entune! While I love my Toyota, I must acknowledge the fact that it has a horrible interface.

Actually, my favorite part of the interface is when the maps freezes, and I have to pull over, and restart the car to get access to the console!

So good on Toyota to pick a new vendor, but too bad it isn't someone that makes great interfaces!

I've got a 2012 Canadian model, and hooo boy is that interface trash. But I've all but given up on good UX in general anymore.

 

[ftaok]

I can say the interface for Toyotas are HORRIBLE!!!! And god forbid if you live in Canada and can't even use Entune! While I love my Toyota, I must acknowledge the fact that it has a horrible interface.

Actually, my favorite part of the interface is when the maps freezes, and I have to pull over, and restart the car to get access to the console!

So good on Toyota to pick a new vendor, but too bad it isn't someone that makes great interfaces!

I have a 2014 Honda Accord and believe me, the head unit interface ain't that great either. It gets the job done, but getting through all of the menu screens will cause a 3 car accident because the interface sucks.

Plus, I have this nice big screen that Honda refuses to take advantage of. Song titles more than 20 or so characters have to scroll, so that by the time you get to read the song title, you've already rear-ended the guy in front of you.

Luckily, I do have the Siri Eyes Free ($100 firmware upgrade - thanks Honda!), but it's only marginally better.

 

[AshleyHredone]

Toyota announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Ford and Livio to deploy SmartDeviceLink, an open source infotainment platform for in-car smartphone connectivity.

For now, this means the world's largest automaker, continues to pass over CarPlay, which has seen wider adoption in 2016, despite being listed as a committed CarPlay partner on Apple's website.SmartDeviceLink, which can be customized to match each carmaker's in-car system characteristics and interface, was originally developed by Ford, which uses its own version of the software called AppLink as part of its larger SYNC platform. Toyota will be the first carmaker to adopt SDL, while QNX and UIEvolution announced on Monday they will support the software in their future products.Ford and Fiat Chrysler both announced today that CarPlay and Android Auto support will be added to select 2016 and 2017 vehicles, singling out Toyota as the only top five automaker to hold out on Apple's and Google's software. Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai also announced specific CarPlay plans in recent weeks.

CarPlay is or will be available in a wide range of 2016 and 2017 vehicles from Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo. The feature is included stock or as an upgrade by itself or as part of a larger entertainment package.

Toyota will demonstrate an SDL integration in the Livio exhibit (LVCC) at CES 2016.


Article Link: Toyota Chooses SmartDeviceLink Over CarPlay and Android Auto

[doublepost=1482220928][/doublepost]This is very disappointing as the new C-HR comes out in UK very soon.
I was foolish enough to buy a new Renault this year. I'm not too familiar with SmartLink but if you have had the misfortune to end up with Renault's 100% abysmal R-Link system you would try anything else and know it could only be better.

Car manufacturers overall offer absolute rubbish by way of integrating phones with their vehicles.

Article Link: Toyota Chooses SmartDeviceLink Over CarPlay and Android Auto[/QUOTE]

 

[sidewinder3000]

You guys crack me up. I knew the comments would be full of "I'm not buying a Toyota then".

Wow. You successfully predicted that readers of an Apple rumors site would favor buying cars that link more easily to iPhones. A regular Nostradamus.