No love from Toyota on our Entune systems

[CWO4CNO]

It appears that Toyota has no intention of allowing Google Car or Apples equivalent onto our purchased Entune systems. I just saw this article posted in which they are looking at moving to a locked down Linux system going forward using a subscription based access to onboard applications after a grace period.
I find this very disturbing since we already no how out of touch Toyato is when it comes to a user interface.
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/08/29/mazda_toyota_linux_entune_car_infotainment/

Sad..... So so sad.

 

[Thai]

It appears that Toyota has no intention of allowing Google Car or Apples equivalent onto our purchased Entune systems. I just saw this article posted in which they are looking at moving to a locked down Linux system going forward using a subscription based access to onboard applications after a grace period.
I find this very disturbing since we already no how out of touch Toyato is when it comes to a user interface.
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/08/29/mazda_toyota_linux_entune_car_infotainment/

Sad..... So so sad.

True. It will actually be a big factor in my next vehicle.

 

[fogcitysurfer]

True. It will actually be a big factor in my next vehicle.

Toyota continues to go backwards

 

[gm350reratliff]

I find Entune in both my Tundra and 4runner a pain to use and it doesn't always communicate with our phones very well either. It's crazy that Toyota didn't put more effort into perfecting integrating apple or android phones given how much we rely on them these days. I will say that at least Entune does work better than the gen1 or 2 Sync system that was in the last Ford I owned. That thing truly had a mind of it's own and would randomly dial people in my contacts without me saying or doing anything. Often times I wouldn't even hear the phone ring, just all of a sudden there was a "hello" going on in my truck. Pretty fun when your in heavy traffic, talking to yourself, well, maybe someone else too.

 

[fogcitysurfer]

I will say that at least Entune does work better than the gen1 or 2 Sync system that was in the last Ford I owned.

You can say that again! Thank god they fixed it. I rented a Navigator with Sync 3 and it is WAY better. Still has a few annoying habits, but nothing that isn't manageable, and I didn't have time to read the manual.

I don't even use Entune except to listen to SXM. Everything else is a PITA.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

True. It will actually be a big factor in my next vehicle.

I guess I'm not entirely surprised you would weigh a radio as significant criteria for picking a vehicle. But then again this is one of those rare instances where I partially agree with you.

Toyota's Entune system leaves a lot to be desired and the new "Entune 3.0" system doesn't look like much of a real improvement, if not a copy of other systems (don't get me started on very convoluted data function 3.0 is supposed to introduce, I forsee a lot of issue on the tech side of that). Given that most people like shiny things and what's more shiny than a big screen with pretty lights to distract you while your driving, I can see a very throw-away consumer oriented populace being drawn to the shiniest of screens.

Though last I heard the Linux side of it was supposed to be more open-ended and more developer friendly? Though it would not surprise me if they did change their mind again in that regard.
Honestly everyone just needs to standardize and make these infotainment systems an open system that owner's can choose (i.e. if they want to use a Crapple-based system, let the idiots use it. They want to **** with an Android system, whatever). Hell just make it easy, "you use our manufacturer specific OS/package we'll warranty you/support you, you want to use something else; you're on your own. Simple as that, there'll be people that stay with the Toyota stuff and there will be people that won't; who cares about the latter (from a manufacturer standpoint).

The biggest thing is that most manufacturers are not very bright when it comes to structuring their infotainment systems and some are so bright as to give them far too much control on the CAN bus (*cough* Chrysler *Cough*), but that's easy enough to code for and throw a firewall module (which Toyota has started doing). But that's not a significant issue to prevent an open-ended system. It's just a stupid money grab on the manufacturer side and given how many ****ing software updates and headunits I have to replace because of how idiotically close-minded they are in regards to this set-up I vote just make it all open source and be done with this very closed minded eco-system; make's Apples totalitarian and stagnant App Store seem like an ideal free market.

 

[Thai]

I guess I'm not entirely surprised you would weigh a radio as significant criteria for picking a vehicle. But then again this is one of those rare instances where I partially agree with you.

Toyota's Entune system leaves a lot to be desired and the new "Entune 3.0" system doesn't look like much of a real improvement, if not a copy of other systems (don't get me started on very convoluted data function 3.0 is supposed to introduce, I forsee a lot of issue on the tech side of that). Given that most people like shiny things and what's more shiny than a big screen with pretty lights to distract you while your driving, I can see a very throw-away consumer oriented populace being drawn to the shiniest of screens.

Though last I heard the Linux side of it was supposed to be more open-ended and more developer friendly? Though it would not surprise me if they did change their mind again in that regard.
Honestly everyone just needs to standardize and make these infotainment systems an open system that owner's can choose (i.e. if they want to use a Crapple-based system, let the idiots use it. They want to **** with an Android system, whatever). Hell just make it easy, "you use our manufacturer specific OS/package we'll warranty you/support you, you want to use something else; you're on your own. Simple as that, there'll be people that stay with the Toyota stuff and there will be people that won't; who cares about the latter (from a manufacturer standpoint).

The biggest thing is that most manufacturers are not very bright when it comes to structuring their infotainment systems and some are so bright as to give them far too much control on the CAN bus (*cough* Chrysler *Cough*), but that's easy enough to code for and throw a firewall module (which Toyota has started doing). But that's not a significant issue to prevent an open-ended system. It's just a stupid money grab on the manufacturer side and given how many ****ing software updates and headunits I have to replace because of how idiotically close-minded they are in regards to this set-up I vote just make it all open source and be done with this very closed minded eco-system; make's Apples totalitarian and stagnant App Store seem like an ideal free market.

You "seem" to hate Apple? Maybe i just mis-read your ignorance...but that's nothing new with you, is it? :loco:

Too funny.

And yes, an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay is VERY important to me...along with other factors.

 

[mscot]

So, you're a blackberry guy?

 

[Old Muley]

It is really too bad that Toyota won't get on board with the rest of the automotive industry when it comes to support for smartphones, be they iPhones or others. I find Entune to be one of the most frustrating things to deal with on both of our family's Toyotas. For some reason it never recognizes all the music I have stored on my iPhone- at the moment I have about 12,000 songs on my iPhone, but Entune only recognizes/play about 3,500. My podcast list is never right, with Entune mixing up which episodes go with which podcast. It's always a guess as to what I'm going to get when I select one.

My feeling has always been that automotive companies should not also try and be software companies. Regardless of your personal feelings about Apple and Apple products, with over 40% of all smart phone users having an iPhone, that's a lot of customers Toyota is leaving out in the cold by not supporting Airplay.

 

[jrandom]

Not sure why they are moving to a "locked" linux system. Worries of hackable units I guess.

To be honest with as many units as Toyota sells I am a bit surprised that someone hasn't cracked this egg and rooted a unit yet.

 

[Thai]

It is really too bad that Toyota won't get on board with the rest of the automotive industry when it comes to support for smartphones, be they iPhones or others. I find Entune to be one of the most frustrating things to deal with on both of our family's Toyotas. For some reason it never recognizes all the music I have stored on my iPhone- at the moment I have about 12,000 songs on my iPhone, but Entune only recognizes/play about 3,500. My podcast list is never right, with Entune mixing up which episodes go with which podcast. It's always a guess as to what I'm going to get when I select one.

My feeling has always been that automotive companies should not also try and be software companies. Regardless of your personal feelings about Apple and Apple products, with over 40% of all smart phone users having an iPhone, that's a lot of customers Toyota is leaving out in the cold by not supporting Airplay.

FYI, plug an Android phone into Entune via USB, and you get nothing! So, look on the bright side, 3500 songs is better than none.

Not just 40% of smartphone users...but 40% of folks who (on average) have money. This is why several OEMs, including BMW, just favor Apple stuff over Android because over 80-90% of their customers own iPhones.

 

[Thai]

Not sure why they are moving to a "locked" linux system. Worries of hackable units I guess.

To be honest with as many units as Toyota sells I am a bit surprised that someone hasn't cracked this egg and rooted a unit yet.

Why? Profits. Making you buy their system. Buy their accessories. Buy their “software updates” (e.g. navigation updates). Keep your ID and driving data to themselves (and sell it to 3rd parties??).

From OEM’s perspective, what Toyota doing makes perfect sense. Not so much from consumer’s end.

 

[jrandom]

Why? Profits. Making you buy their system. Buy their accessories. Buy their “software updates” (e.g. navigation updates). Keep your ID and driving data to themselves (and sell it to 3rd parties??).

From OEM’s perspective, what Toyota doing makes perfect sense. Not so much from consumer’s end.

Well we already buy their systems and accessories. I haven't updated my nav mostly because it is sh!t, although I am sure some do, I am sure other car manufacturers charge for that too?

They already have an ID for everyone that owns a car/truck and they also collect driving data, to what extent we do not know.

 

[Thai]

This is from a good guy on Android forum who answered my audio issues (another topic) when i had my Samsung Note:

“Music from Android and iPhones work differently because most car systems only support iPhone for 'deep integration' (unfortunately, although that is changing with Android Auto). That means that your iPhone is outputting audio directly to your system via USB, using the internal apps from the phone itself.

On Android (or any non-iDevice for that matter), unless your car system specifically supports it (there are a handful out there that do), the music is actually just the car system accessing your phone's music files directly; no apps, no direct audio from phone. To your car there's no difference between an Android phone or a USB memory stick loaded with MP3 files.

For better or worse, most car systems will work with iDevices because they are designed to do so. With Android devices, unless your audio system specifically supports it (like Android Auto or MirrorLink), it just won't work in the same way. For Playlists you can create them in Google Play (or import them from iTunes, although I'm not 100% sure this works) and play them through Play Music in your phone either via AUX or BlueTooth, and while music controls SHOULD work with your S7, you're probably used to seeing your music and playlists listed in your Audio System's screen, not the phone itself.”

 

[jrandom]

opcorn::snacker:

 

[Thai]

Off topic but funny:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_GhODn4FRoE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[mscot]

Aren't you two grown ass men? Time for: :closed_2:

 

[CO-Cygnus]

:lock1:

 

[williamlv282]

I was interested in this thread but then it went to complete shit.

 

[FrenchToasty]

Sorry to take this off topic.....but......

FACT..........Bears......Beets......Battle Star Galactica.........BlackWorksInc
On with the show