Toyota/Lexus and Alexa...WTF?!

[Thai]

Yet another WTF?! moment for Toyota/Lexus: https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-n...ay-and-android-auto-still-no-go-ar179229.html

Why?! I guess that I can order PRIME stuff while driving.

 

[philsey]

Yet another WTF?! moment for Toyota/Lexus: https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-n...ay-and-android-auto-still-no-go-ar179229.html

Why?! I guess that I can order PRIME stuff while driving.

No shit! Of all the technology they could implement, they pick this?

My wife's '17 Kia has way more usable technology than my '18 4R.

Let's see: folding mirrors, AA/AC, BSM, radar cruise, there's more ....

 

[CO-Cygnus]

Awesome. Now I can spend 15 minutes struggling to get my phone to synch with Entune every time I start the truck but after I do... oh boy... I can have alexa misunderstand my commands for 5 more minutes trying to adjust the cabin temp.

Or I'll just turn the dial myself.

 

[99problems]

I have no idea what Toyota is thinking these days. Personally I don't want ANY of this "convenience" and I actually despise the idea of forcefully being connected to/through their sponsored software packages.

 

[CookieRoe]

WTH? I'm still shaking my head as to why they don't implement Apple CarPlay / Andriod Auto.

Very stupid.

 

[oldie]

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/01/15/toyota-to-support-apple-carplay/

 

[Jetboy]

If you've ever used an Amazon branded product - like their tablets - you'll understand. Amazon tablets are as craptastic compared to iPads and Android tablets as Entune is to Apple Carplay and Andoid Auto. Toyota is just advancing it's current program of having the worst infotainment in the industry. The choice was obvious.

Just to make you feel bad - here'd Ram's new screen

 

[Thai]

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/01/15/toyota-to-support-apple-carplay/

USA owners rejoice!!!!

 

[Thai]

2019 Toyota Avalon First Look: The Next Big Toyota - Motor Trend

Toyota/Lexus will support CarPlay as noted above. For Android users, well, you’re screwed! You have Alexa from Amazon.

Woohooo!!

 

[Baystate4Runner]

My wife's '17 Kia has way more usable technology than my '18 4R.

Let's see: folding mirrors, AA/AC, BSM, radar cruise, there's more ....

I have to say that I wouldn't want most of that stuff in my 4R!
Fun cars/trucks should not be appliances.

Plus most of the time those 'convenient' features come with a baggage...like automatic engine turn off at stop lights.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

If you've ever used an Amazon branded product - like their tablets - you'll understand. Amazon tablets are as craptastic compared to iPads and Android tablets as Entune is to Apple Carplay and Andoid Auto. Toyota is just advancing it's current program of having the worst infotainment in the industry. The choice was obvious.

Just to make you feel bad - here'd Ram's new screen

Totally not distracting at all haha...

 

[SWK71]

Totally not distracting at all haha...

Totally agree. Can you watch apps on it?

 

[wcjeep]

I don't get the obsession with Carplay / Android Auto. I've tried Android Auto. Meh. Can't see using Amazon. Better yet, get into an accident, lawyer could get all records from the AI.

 

[Agent_Outside]

I don't get the obsession with Carplay / Android Auto.

Beyond music, phone calls, having it read you texts to you and you can voice a response the big deal is that you get in dash turn by turn navigation that you don’t have to pay $1000-$2000 for, you never have to pay for a map update, and you don’t have buy your ur vehicle it’s own monthly data service to have live traffic data and online destination searches.

It’s hard to argue that isn’t awesome when it has no cost beyond your smart phone plan. The big deal is that pretty much everything OEM and aftermarket offers it nowadays and Toyota still has/had nothing.

 

[CO-Cygnus]

I don't get the obsession with Carplay / Android Auto. I've tried Android Auto. Meh. Can't see using Amazon. Better yet, get into an accident, lawyer could get all records from the AI.

My obsession is simple. Toyota can't design a proper interface for my iThing, Apple can. Get rid of the middle man. In my daily driver I just plug in and go.

When I fire up the 4R it's a battle - plug in, unplug and replug, reboot phone... I can finally play that podcast I wanted... Oh, have to stop to get gas... turn off truck... GoTo Start. :nono:

The navigation is also far superior to any OEM nav system I've ever used.

 

[99problems]

Sometimes on cold mornings I think “I wish this would heat up faster”, and I have to remind myself that I once got along just fine for years with only a motorcycle. A windscreen and a heater seem like luxuries from that perspective. After I installed an aux line-in to the stock head unit, whoa baby; I feel like a damn Beverly hillbilly.


https://youtu.be/q8LaT5Iiwo4

 

[wcjeep]

I see how Carplay and Android Auto could be better. Right now it's the equivalent of 3D TV. Neat feature with very low usage. Wireless Carplay/Android Auto with high speed wireless charging would be compelling. Right now the system requires the user to plug in their phone. Complete wireless system means no more taking the phone out of a purse or coat pocket. In theory it should just work.

CES debuted some wireless head units from JVCKenwood. Could take a few years for the tech to reach auto manufacturers.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

Totally agree. Can you watch apps on it?

With a screen that big, I hope you could! In all seriousness, I'm definitely old school when it comes to vehicles. And as a Millennial, all this tech should be appealing to me. It ain't haha. I can't begrudge anyone for wanting Apple Carplay, Android Auto, etc. I just never felt the need to have that much "convenience" in my phone-to-vehicle connectivity...

 

[techno]

WTF is Alexa?
Nevermind, I'll look it up on the interweb....

 

[Rallysport]

This is a great example of why I'm happy with my 16+ year old factory head unit, Bluetooth transmitter, and my phone on a nice mount. Volume knob, consistent interface, latest / fastest tech.