Yeah and remember the beating IDrive took when it first came out:roll eyes: Also loved the HUD on the M5 as well, really good safety feature.
But still the BMW interface is no match for Apple, not even close.
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Toyota Currently Has No Plans to Support CarPlay or Android Auto in U.S.
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Yeah and remember the beating IDrive took when it first came out:roll eyes: Also loved the HUD on the M5 as well, really good safety feature.
But still the BMW interface is no match for Apple, not even close.
Interesting take. By that logic, you should be driving a GM vehicle, as the most strangers like them as they sell the most vehicles.
Or you should check out a Ford, the company with the most loyal buyers. (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-car-brands-most-loyal-120031761.html) You could check out a Toyota, #2.
So, there are many reasons to not buy a Toyota, this is just one...
They don't specify what in-car tech features are however, do they? I am not discounting infotainment systems - my point was that if a customer is deciding on a car, I don't believe the infotainment system is going to make or break the sale. I could very well be wrong. It wouldn't change mine nor anyone I know (that I can think of off hand). More likely - the car (we) wanted would be purchased and if the infotainment system was "that bad" - it would simply be replaced after market.
Then again - like some others - when I'm driving, I like to concentrate on the road. So as long as the system has bluetooth and I can link my phone (audio or phone) to my system. I'm good.
Safety features, for me, do make a huge difference.
While the entune system in current Toyota is dismal, AirPlay is no panacea either. Ever since updating the firmware for my Pioneer NEX5000 to run AirPlay (installed in my Nissan), it has just been 'OK'. It's been far from the plug and play experience I was hoping for. Honestly, I often find myself reverting back to the factory software on my aftermarket head unit since it has been the most reliable.
Ultimately When I'm ready for a new vehicle, the presence/absence of Airplay will be very low on my list of priorities.
Ultimately When I'm ready for a new vehicle, the presence/absence of Airplay will be very low on my list of priorities.
This is exactly why I don't like tech sites (cnet) doing reviews on cars. Always hating cars that have little to no tech. What about issues from previous models that could cost thousands of dollars to repair. While doing research on a used Honda Civic I found out that 2006 to 2008 models have an issue with the aluminum blocks cracking. Stuff like that is most important because what good is the infotainment system if you're stuck on the road with a over heating engine? And if you're out of warranty it could cost more than what the car is worth. Honda also had a transmission issue in many of its V6 models.
I'd rather have a reliable Toyota with a plain radio and HVAC system than a less reliable car with fancy Apple/Google system. But hey; it's your money.
I didn't say that.
For one, I've shifted to BEV and PHEV, and the plug-in Prius is basically an insult to the PHEV concept.
That said, the infotainment system is not completely a non-factor. My car is a Fit EV, and my wife's car is a Volt. In the Honda, it's as if they got into a time machine to 2004 and bought a Garmin, it's so bad. For the first HALF of the lease period, the bluetooth audio didn't work properly. They've (seemingly) *finally* fixed that, but even then it still has annoying design flaws (when the computer turns on periodically during charging, it will reach out and pair with the phone, so sometimes when I'm at home with the car parked I won't hear my phone ring unless I turn BT off).
So, yes, I'm now going to look a little harder at the stereo/nav system of my next car because I've been traumatized by my current one.
I was really excited when CarPlay was first announced. At the time, I had plans to buy a new car in early 2015. I figured for sure there would be a variety of cars to choose from that had it. I said at the time I'd only buy a new car with CarPlay.
Well, I bought a new car a couple weeks ago. I had given up on CarPlay being in my new car a while ago. Maybe I'll get my next car in 4-5 years. Hopefully by then, everyone has car infotainment systems figured out.
I finally have bluetooth in my car so I can stream podcasts and music. That is like 80% of what I wanted in the first place.
Well, I bought a new car a couple weeks ago. I had given up on CarPlay being in my new car a while ago. Maybe I'll get my next car in 4-5 years. Hopefully by then, everyone has car infotainment systems figured out.
I finally have bluetooth in my car so I can stream podcasts and music. That is like 80% of what I wanted in the first place.
My 2012 Camry in dash is already QNX based system, that has all the hardware required for Carplay or Android Auto.
The fact that Toyota is refusing to support either, or upgrade their recent models is a bummer.
Toyota's own navigation / voice system is pathetic. the menu navigation is horribly designed. The voice controls are spotty at best and I wind up yelling at my car more than I use the navi.
The damn thing even resets itself from KM to Miles in my Navi at least once a week.
Tayota isn't doing themselves any favours by sticking to their own solution, which barely works.
The fact that Toyota is refusing to support either, or upgrade their recent models is a bummer.
Toyota's own navigation / voice system is pathetic. the menu navigation is horribly designed. The voice controls are spotty at best and I wind up yelling at my car more than I use the navi.
The damn thing even resets itself from KM to Miles in my Navi at least once a week.
Tayota isn't doing themselves any favours by sticking to their own solution, which barely works.
What a preposterously stupid "not invented here" stance. Reminds me of Sony.
Regardless, they'll come around sooner or later. It's completely inevitable. No way in hell they're going to ignore a platform used by so many people world wide.
Regardless, they'll come around sooner or later. It's completely inevitable. No way in hell they're going to ignore a platform used by so many people world wide.
Who knows what Apple's plans are? But it's not a ridiculous idea, if you give it a little thought.
Cars are about UI, whether it be the actual driving experience, or the other places where the user interacts with it, such as infotainment. They are also about quality and dependability.
Apple excels in all three of those areas.
The idea that a well designed infotainment system, such as CarPlay is counter to "concentrating on the road" is where you lost me. In fact, the whole point is to just be there, and not distract me so I can concentrate.
The fact that you want to hook up your phone to start with is ample evidence that you are not concentrating on the road 100% of the time while you drive. And I would challenge anyone here who would make the claim that they are to pay closer attention to their actions while driving, and be honest to themselves.
I maintain that a well designed infotainment UI is safety oriented.
To each his own. But I know enough about cars to know that, as I have already said there is a lot of high quality parity when it comes to driving experience, safety, reliability and build quality. But the cockpit UI is pretty horrendous across the board, and my decision for purchasing a car is going to be based on whether the manufacturer is smart enough to get out of the way and let the people who are good at it bring consumers what they want, or whether I have the ability to remove their lousy UI and replace it with what I want myself.
I think we are going to have the CurrentC equivalent of cars now! The select group that'll embrace Apple, and a group that will want their own homegrown solutions.
You don't know me, but it is make or break for me. I am not replacing my current car until the various models I am considering include CarPlay (and a solid system overall).
No offense but those Pioneer receivers are a **** show. The touch screens stink and the entire system is laggy, like they used an underpowered CPU. And yes I have first hand experience with the NEX5000. Translation: I wouldn't judge CarPlay from your experience on the current generation of after market receivers.
You've made an error in your assumption.
I simply said I wanted Bluetooth connectivity because I like to have my own choice in music - not radio/satellite.
I don't fidget with controls. I drive.Funky Entune
We purchased a 2014 Prius with the top of the line NAV system with Entune.
Toyota should do something in regards to their systems as the Entune is pretty crappy.
Funky interface, hard to figure out, none of it makes much sense.
I see the main issue are all of these individual companies coming up with their own interfaces, so just because someone buys a new car and says it has Bluetooth, who knows what the interface is going to be, and it's basically a big mess.
I would welcome a more user friendly experience in my car.
Brian
Los Angeles
We purchased a 2014 Prius with the top of the line NAV system with Entune.
Toyota should do something in regards to their systems as the Entune is pretty crappy.
Funky interface, hard to figure out, none of it makes much sense.
I see the main issue are all of these individual companies coming up with their own interfaces, so just because someone buys a new car and says it has Bluetooth, who knows what the interface is going to be, and it's basically a big mess.
I would welcome a more user friendly experience in my car.
Brian
Los Angeles
I didn't say you should always follow the majority. I only said that the opinion of a large number of strangers who rate something highly outweighs the opinion of someone who doesn't.
What outweighs ALL of that is your own experience, preferences, and requirements. I need three rows, I want good fuel economy, and I've had good experiences with my last three cars, all Toyota.
I have several months before I'm ready to buy, so I'll check out all the minivans and three-row SUVs that get over 25 mpg in city driving. Right now, the Toyota Highlander is at the top of my list.
Sorry, but Toyota is losing touch with consumers on just about everything except the Prius which is still a cool car, but the style needs to be updated. I recently went car shopping and looked at every new Toyota while at a dealership. The cars are generic looking and the interior styles still look like they were produced in the 80's.
I agree completely. I own a 2013 Camry XLE and the interface is great -- for 2002.
The worse thing is if you get a car with climate control and backup cams, etc, its 10x harder to replace the factory unit with an after market.
Of course they are well built, but personally I've always disliked their styling and they've always felt like appliances to me. Just a matter of personal taste...
I actually don't mind the interface in my 2015 Lexus GS. It's on a huge 12.5" screen, and you interact with a mouse like joystick. It's slick, easy to use, and works great with my iPhone. But, still wish that CarPlay would be an option that's allowed to be used.
Sure it was,Apple bent ATT over big time !!!!
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It is also QNX based software which isn't going anywhere.
Toyota...continuing the trend to be 2 - 3 generations behind
While Toyota might have cars that run forever, they certainly remain about 2 - 3 generations behind other companies in terms of interior technology and overall car styling. Test driving a Toyota recently and I was amazed at how far behind Toyota is compared to Hyundai or Kia, or even Ford, in terms of adding the kind of technology, convenience and features that those companies offer in their cars, and yet Toyota is predominantly at the higher end of the spectrum in terms of pricing for cars in every category.
So it doesn't surprise me that Toyota won't support either phone platforms with integrated features and will most likely make a return to cassette tapes and CD's as the primary way to listen to music and come with windshield attached GPS holder for navigation for at least another decade. Maybe I have to spend $45k for a decked out Corolla (aka Lexus) to get at least some competitive features.
While Toyota might have cars that run forever, they certainly remain about 2 - 3 generations behind other companies in terms of interior technology and overall car styling. Test driving a Toyota recently and I was amazed at how far behind Toyota is compared to Hyundai or Kia, or even Ford, in terms of adding the kind of technology, convenience and features that those companies offer in their cars, and yet Toyota is predominantly at the higher end of the spectrum in terms of pricing for cars in every category.
So it doesn't surprise me that Toyota won't support either phone platforms with integrated features and will most likely make a return to cassette tapes and CD's as the primary way to listen to music and come with windshield attached GPS holder for navigation for at least another decade. Maybe I have to spend $45k for a decked out Corolla (aka Lexus) to get at least some competitive features.
Someone from iMore said it best
...
Unbelievable.
Ive heard that so often. What I cant quite comprehend is that of all the important things people should consider when buying a car, versatility, fuel economy, SAFETY, residual value etc. etc People are putting something as ridiculous as CarPlay at the top of the list.
Unbelievable.
Ive heard that so often. What I cant quite comprehend is that of all the important things people should consider when buying a car, versatility, fuel economy, SAFETY, residual value etc. etc People are putting something as ridiculous as CarPlay at the top of the list.