I JUST missed Apple Carplay...

[Hydguy]

but if your already an iphone user, carplay is a great benefit in any car. i had it in my m3, x5 and 4runner. i dont need to carry a garmin to get the latest maps. i also have the option to use apple, google or waze maps. siri will read all my texts and make phone calls.

i'm just saying.. if you can get it .. why not?

Until the '20 model, or toyota updates the software in the '19 (which leaves '10-'18 out of luck), carplay isn't an option, unless you buy an aftermarket HU, which is way more expensive than a garmin, and the aftermarket bezels look like crap. I didn't buy the garmin recently. I've had it for years.

I still don't see any advantage with carplay over the current setup with BT.
The factory HU reads my texts when I need it to, and Siri allows me to reply hands free. I don't need to access my emails when driving, and honestly can't see why anyone would bother with work email when driving. So why would I spend a couple of hundred bucks on a HU that gives me no gain? Oh, android is a technological hemorrhoid, and makes Entunes look sophisticated, so unless apple gets into the HU game, I wouldn't be bothering with it anyway.

 

[BLK7BRD]

Until the '20 model, or toyota updates the software in the '19 (which leaves '10-'18 out of luck), carplay isn't an option, unless you buy an aftermarket HU, which is way more expensive than a garmin, and the aftermarket bezels look like crap. I didn't buy the garmin recently. I've had it for years.



I still don't see any advantage with carplay over the current setup with BT.

The factory HU reads my texts when I need it to, and Siri allows me to reply hands free. I don't need to access my emails when driving, and honestly can't see why anyone would bother with work email when driving. So why would I spend a couple of hundred bucks on a HU that gives me no gain? Oh, android is a technological hemorrhoid, and makes Entunes look sophisticated, so unless apple gets into the HU game, I wouldn't be bothering with it anyway.

A couple hundred bucks? Gotta pump up those numbers, rookie.


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[MikeyMTBs]

Until the '20 model, or toyota updates the software in the '19 (which leaves '10-'18 out of luck), carplay isn't an option, unless you buy an aftermarket HU, which is way more expensive than a garmin, and the aftermarket bezels look like crap. I didn't buy the garmin recently. I've had it for years.



I still don't see any advantage with carplay over the current setup with BT.

The factory HU reads my texts when I need it to, and Siri allows me to reply hands free. I don't need to access my emails when driving, and honestly can't see why anyone would bother with work email when driving. So why would I spend a couple of hundred bucks on a HU that gives me no gain? Oh, android is a technological hemorrhoid, and makes Entunes look sophisticated, so unless apple gets into the HU game, I wouldn't be bothering with it anyway.

In GA, we have a hands free law meaning it is illegal to hold your phone in your hand, even if just using it for the GPS. The value in CarPlay, for me at least, is the ability mirror Waze on the head unit screen to keep it up at eye level. If you don’t commute in heavy city traffic daily, that won’t matter to you either. For me, a 50-mile round trip commute each day in Atlanta means using Waze to navigate the quickest route possible.

I am very hopeful the Waze update will come out to avoid spending money on a replacement HU.


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[HurricanePDX]

Did it work?

Just as suspected, it does not work. It reads the USB but doesn’t initialize an update


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[ProfessorP]

A week ago I upgraded from the T4R Entune head unit with NAV to a Kenwood head unit with wireless CarPlay and it’s a night and day difference. This unit doesn’t include Garmin Nav or Sirius XM.

I just get in the truck and push the steering wheel control for Siri. No wire to deal with unless I’m going on longer trips and need charging. Even if I’m connected via cable, I tuck the phone out of the way because I never need to access it. Apple maps, Google Maps and Waze work perfectly. I really hated the Entune system. It never understood a word I was saying even after tutorials and training. English is my primary language and I have no accent.

Audio through the factory speakers sounds way better with the Kenwood than the stock head unit. Lots more audio controls too. Slightly bigger screen than factory. I also have a bunch of car info like individual tire pressure, coolant temperature, etc that isn’t available on the factory unit in a TRD Off Road.

Switching to a new head unit for a couple hundred bucks is laughable!!! What decade did that comment come from. The head unit with all the harnesses, iDatalink Maestro, and install kit with dark gray surround was about $1,100.00. Adding NAV would’ve been an additional $300.

Worth it to me to have an excellent and easy to use system.

 

[Hydguy]

In GA, we have a hands free law meaning it is illegal to hold your phone in your hand, even if just using it for the GPS. The value in CarPlay, for me at least, is the ability mirror Waze on the head unit screen to keep it up at eye level. If you don’t commute in heavy city traffic daily, that won’t matter to you either. For me, a 50-mile round trip commute each day in Atlanta means using Waze to navigate the quickest route possible.

I am very hopeful the Waze update will come out to avoid spending money on a replacement HU.


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And how is using a touchscreen radio any different that using a touch screen phone? YOur eyes are on the screen, and so are your fingers.
As I said, there is no real benefit gained by swapping out to a carplay enabled aftermarket HU.
My built in nav does traffic rerouting on the fly, as does Garmin. And again, everything else touted as a 'benefit' of carplay is doable with an iphone paired via BT. The only thing I have seen that is actually a minor upgrade is using the PTT button on the steering wheel vice saying 'Hey Siri', and the only time I need to do that is when Replying to a text hands free. If your iPhone is paired, you can use the PTT button to initiate a phone call no problem.

I mean IT's up yo individuals, and it's their money, but to say carplay is so superior that you have to spend a bunch of money to replace a perfectly usable factory HU is pretty ingenius.

I wish the sound system had more power, because of my hearing loss, but it's acceptable.

 

[euser]

The only thing I have seen that is actually a minor upgrade is using the PTT button on the steering wheel vice saying 'Hey Siri', and the only time I need to do that is when Replying to a text hands free. If your iPhone is paired, you can use the PTT button to initiate a phone call no problem.

If you hold the answer call button it activates Siri. Found that out on accident the other day.

I’d take CarPlay if it was available, but people are pretty dramatic about the stock unit. It’s not bad. Pretty average for any SUV/Truck in the price range. You’re paying more than $35-40k for the Fords and Chevy’s with the fancy infotainment systems and sound systems that are also 4WD/leather/locker equipped/not a base ass work truck.

 

[emupoacher]

Just as suspected, it does not work. It reads the USB but doesn’t initialize an update


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Thanks for trying anyway -- Respect the effort!

 

[Greybeardviking]

Until the '20 model, or toyota updates the software in the '19 (which leaves '10-'18 out of luck), carplay isn't an option, unless you buy an aftermarket HU, which is way more expensive than a garmin, and the aftermarket bezels look like crap. I didn't buy the garmin recently. I've had it for years.

I still don't see any advantage with carplay over the current setup with BT.
The factory HU reads my texts when I need it to, and Siri allows me to reply hands free. I don't need to access my emails when driving, and honestly can't see why anyone would bother with work email when driving. So why would I spend a couple of hundred bucks on a HU that gives me no gain? Oh, android is a technological hemorrhoid, and makes Entunes look sophisticated, so unless apple gets into the HU game, I wouldn't be bothering with it anyway.

Is this not an option anymore? I assumed this worked fine by just adding another A/V channel to your headunit. No one in this thread is talking about it, so Im assuming it doesnt work well.

Beat-Sonic IF-02AEP2 iPhone Mirroring Kit Product

YouTube Youtube video of install and functionality.

 

[Bugser]

A week ago I upgraded from the T4R Entune head unit with NAV to a Kenwood head unit with wireless CarPlay and it’s a night and day difference. This unit doesn’t include Garmin Nav or Sirius XM.


The head unit with all the harnesses, iDatalink Maestro, and install kit with dark gray surround was about $1,100.00. Adding NAV would’ve been an additional $300.

Worth it to me to have an excellent and easy to use system.

Did you do the install yourself?

 

[ProfessorP]

Did you do the install yourself?

Yes I did the installation myself. Crutchfield makes it just about idiot proof for DIY installers. This is the 2nd head unit I’ve purchased through them and both were installed fairly easily (the first was a Pioneer on my ‘09 Tundra).

 

[JAXJeremy]

It's idiotic that Toyota won't update the 4Runners as well..wouldn't have been that difficult for them to roll this update out to all their vehicles at the same time..From a cost savings standpoint I have to imagine they're using the same base software for Entune across all models..

Doing a quick check in 2018 they sold almost 88K Siennas, compared to nearly 140K 4Runners...so why the Sienna over the 4r??

 

[brtnstrns]

It's idiotic that Toyota won't update the 4Runners as well..wouldn't have been that difficult for them to roll this update out to all their vehicles at the same time..From a cost savings standpoint I have to imagine they're using the same base software for Entune across all models..

Doing a quick check in 2018 they sold almost 88K Siennas, compared to nearly 140K 4Runners...so why the Sienna over the 4r??

So I know it's been announced by them that a couple of cars are getting the update, but from what I've known about Carplay/Android Auto systems added to vehicles from other manufacturers is that it's more than just a software update that's required for it to work properly. I believe there is a bit of hardware that needs to be in there as well which is, I'm assuming, why Toyota is only upgrading a couple of new model year vehicles that probably already have the necessary hardware built in.
















...or it's just a typical Toyota "meh whatever, people will buy the shit regardless" trope and they just don't care.

 

[SlickTRD]

I think they also don't want to pay the licensing fees for the 2018 and older vehicles.

 

[Superjet]

So I know it's been announced by them that a couple of cars are getting the update, but from what I've known about Carplay/Android Auto systems added to vehicles from other manufacturers is that it's more than just a software update that's required for it to work properly. I believe there is a bit of hardware that needs to be in there as well which is, I'm assuming, why Toyota is only upgrading a couple of new model year vehicles that probably already have the necessary hardware built in.

You are right. Hardware requirements and Apple needs to sign off on it, same with Android Auto.

 

[jmperez64]

Just finished doing my 5,000 mile service on my SR5 Premium. As I was getting my key from the service guy, he asked if I was an iPhone guy. I said yes and he told me to keep an eye out for a letter in August. He said Toyota would be offering a Car Play upgrade on the 2019 4Runners, and best of all, there would be no charge! He said that Toyota initially wanted to offer Car Play in the 2019's but they couldn't get the licensing done, so the hardware is already there and that all it will require is a soft ware update and install. Anyone else heard of this? Don't want to raise hope, but this guy sure sounded like he knew what he was talking about.

 

[daytonaviolet]

this would be awesome. but i wonder why it would be limited to only the 2019 models? can a 2019 entune be retrofitted to an older year layball:

Just finished doing my 5,000 mile service on my SR5 Premium. As I was getting my key from the service guy, he asked if I was an iPhone guy. I said yes and he told me to keep an eye out for a letter in August. He said Toyota would be offering a Car Play upgrade on the 2019 4Runners, and best of all, there would be no charge! He said that Toyota initially wanted to offer Car Play in the 2019's but they couldn't get the licensing done, so the hardware is already there and that all it will require is a soft ware update and install. Anyone else heard of this? Don't want to raise hope, but this guy sure sounded like he knew what he was talking about.

 

[emupoacher]

Just finished doing my 5,000 mile service on my SR5 Premium. As I was getting my key from the service guy, he asked if I was an iPhone guy. I said yes and he told me to keep an eye out for a letter in August. He said Toyota would be offering a Car Play upgrade on the 2019 4Runners, and best of all, there would be no charge! He said that Toyota initially wanted to offer Car Play in the 2019's but they couldn't get the licensing done, so the hardware is already there and that all it will require is a soft ware update and install. Anyone else heard of this? Don't want to raise hope, but this guy sure sounded like he knew what he was talking about.

I'm curious to know what additional hardware is needed to make this work...I assumed it was a software thing only.

 

[jmperez64]

I'm curious to know what additional hardware is needed to make this work...I assumed it was a software thing only.

Not an expert, but maybe some sort of chip that can handle ios?

 

[JAXJeremy]

Find it really hard to believe that there's different hardware in the 2019 versus the 2018 that would allow them to upgrade one but not the other..would love to hear from a Toyota rep on the subject.