I figured this is relative to the 5th gen thread since most new on lookers come here before they buy new.

I just came across this article, Toyota apparently has decided to not implement Apple car play OR Android Auto!!! WTF are they thinking.

Anyway, here's the article

Toyota Chooses Not To Offer Apple's CarPlay Or Google's Android Auto: Dumbest Move Ever?

I'd imagine it's because they have plenty of other things to worry about with developing/enhancing Entune.

They're going their own route with the Scout Navigation and Entune. While both those platforms are awesome, it does limit control the manufacturers have over their product, and I'm sure there would be additional cost with it.

If Entune would include Spotify and Waze, I wouldn't care a bit.

Spotify would be awesome.

I don't mind it not having Waze though. While I love the app, I feel like it's way too noisy and interrupting most of the time. I've actually quite enjoyed being able to now listen to music through Entune, and then let Waze operate on my phone only.

I think this was my favorite quote from the article:

"While touting its own capabilities in the press, TeleNav has expressed concerns about the distractions posed by CarPlay and Android Auto. The company claims that it can offer the same features as those two systems without forcing drivers to take their attention off the road."

Someone may want to tell them that no matter what a person is doing (could be as simple as changing a radio station) if they are not focusing on the road 100%, it's technically a distraction. I wanted to like Entune, I -really- did. But it's a disaster. The functionality is weird, and the layout is annoying. I finally just deleted the app and use Bluetooth or an aux cord to run Amazon music from my phone and call it a wrap.

This is a good example of Toyota trying to force something. I love the company (on my 3rd one so far, and there will be a 4th, hopefully soon) but sometimes they get in their own way. Hopefully it doesn't turn out like a commenter said on the article that Toyota gets stuck trying to support a product because the manufacturer (TeleNav) winds up going out of business.

I hope this side topic is not too unrelated, but it has had me wondering...
One of the reasons I bought a 4R new is to keep it for a decade or two. (my last vehicle Ford Explorer I kept for 14yrs)

What will happen to the nav/audio system in 5 or 10 or 15yrs? Assuming it hasn't failed completely, will only legacy phones work with it? Will software be uselessly out of date?
Probably can still use CD/FM/AM & USB drive, but what else?
Can the entire head be pulled and replaced with something more modern in 10yrs?

Are you asking if you can replace your OEM unit?

You can replace almost every OEM stereo that's been used in a vehicle, it all depends on just how much money you wanna spend on doing that. Having said that, most of the aftermarket car audio manufacturers (Scosche, AAMP, Metra, etc.) have dashkits available for new vehicles within 6 months to a year.

As for out of date software and failures, I'm still able to get updates for the wife's Odyssey for maps, and it's an '06 (and still working with no issues).

I just replaced my stock deck with a Pioneer unit, and even they're having issues with Android Auto and the rest of their interface, so its not much better in the aftermarket world either, if you ask me.

With all the update, software, app, ect. issues we see/have with our headunits and Entune; I would have figured Toyota would be happy to off-load that to Apple/Google. Well, more warranty work for the dealerships I guess?

I think part of it is that Toyota wants to maintain total control. Apple changed the music industry, put a dent in the movie industry, and is trying to do the same with the mobile carriers now that you can just buy direct from Apple. Toyota's products have improved, but the issues that remain are still a problem.

It still amazes me how poor the head unit screen resolution is on a $40K vehicle. And how poorly the UI is designed. But, for me anyway, my Android and Apple devices connect to the head unit flawlessly. I don't use the Entune app on my phone. I don't download their other apps.

All I need is solid Bluetooth connection from the head unit. The screen display is always off...

why would they support these when in a couple years both those companies will be offering a completely new platform? how would toyota reconcile supporting either of these when they (apple or android) completely change their operating systems, and those products to fit their new systems? **** neither of those companies can go a full ****ing year without completely redesigning everything.

i think entune is stupid too, the only reason i can think of for any car company to offer an endemic system is because the older generation has problems doing everything with their phone. every company should just offer a larger phone shaped screen that just mirrors whats on your phone (apple tv ish) and connects with bluetooth. just let me use what i want through my phone and quit pushing pointless junk on me.

Lol, you just answered your own question and illustrated the entire point of CarPlay.

I would guess that the components for the radio/head unit/whatever were specified and finalized some time in the year 2008 so that there was inventory in the summer of 2009 so that 2010 4Runners could be sold in September or so of 2009.

Ever have a TomTom? Ever leave it out in the cold by mistake? See how worthless its battery became? My co-workers screen shattered on his. Every component in that unit has to be able to take from -40F to say 160F no sweat, otherwise people will be complaining. Everything, the screen, the touch mechanism. And throw in vibration and shock and water & coffee flung at it too.

I would guess a bump up in screen resolution is in the works for the 6th gen.

lol rhetorical question: look into it.

I think you mean sarcasm, because CarPlay is basically the fancy Bluetooth bridge mirroring your phone.