Does anyone know if there will be any future improvements or apps added to the Entune system that is currently in the PiP? I am hoping that Toyota does not abandon us current owners and leave us with it the way it currently is. I'm hoping for some OTA update that will improve the system.
Majority of the updates have been for the base model. I really dont think much has changed for the advanced since release.
Does anyone know -- yes, someone knows. Will there be improvements -- yes or no. But, how can they afford to not make improvements? Every (non-low end) car will have smartphone interfaces with lots of features...it costs almost nothing in marginal costs. And a cheap car with good software can be sold for more. Mike
There's a 2.2.0 update for Entune that came out recently.. but it is not OTA or sent to the owner via USB like the last update. You need to go to the dealer to get this one done. It looks like it only applies to the base PiP though (Display Audio with Navigation) TSB: Abnormal Entune/Navigation Operation for Display Audio (Non-HDD Type) | PriusChat
Entune is a waste of time. I have never used ANY of the in car "apps" except to confirm how lame they are. How about just integrating a browser into the software and letting ME decide what content I want? Why is this so difficult for the car makers to understand? I can easily accomplish this with my iPad - and I don't have to deal with the Toyota App and Fair Use while Driving Nanny.
I disagree. (Not that Entune isn't bad). But I don't think having a browser is what I want while driving. I want apps that have a very condensed UI and present just a few touchscreen choices that are applicable to what you need when driving. As I type this on a PC I see this web page has more than a dozen clickable icons, ads, lots of tiny font distractions all cluttering up a the display. You normally don't want or need any of this to be useful when driving. Mike
Got an update this past Friday for the dealer on my base 2012 PIP. The dealer will not update unless you bring issues to their attention.
I wrote an honest, but negative review for the iOS app. My main grip is that Toyota is known for Kaizen (continuous improvement) but I have not seen that reflected in their application/programming abilities in relation to Entune. One thing I wish would work better is iHeartRadio. Every time you go back to your favorites, it had to RELOAD. Don't these engineers know how to use cache? If it has to reload, then at least show me the song that is playing next to the station so I get something out of it.
"these engineers" are microsoft. ask them. by the way, i'm sad (but not surprised) to see that toyota's logo is not present on this slide: BMW unsure about signing up to Apple's 'iOS in the Car' | News | TechRadar this was an opportunity for toyota to show that they care about the tech experience in their vehicles. their absence from that slide speaks volumes. like the quote that i provided on this thread, 6 months ago: Jan 28, 2013 what a sad state of affairs.
I read that Toyota will now offer Entune Subscription Free for it's customers which is nice. And I also see that the 2014 Tundra will have the latest Entune software installed. So the question now is, will Toyota begin pushing out updates for us existing owners of the HDD system or are those updates only for the new 2014 vehicles that are soon to be released leaving us existing customers hanging?
"Not only will new Entune customers get the service at no charge going forward, but even existing users no longer have to pay for a subscription." I assume that means us. No way I was going to start paying for Entune when it came due next May anyway, but I hope this means they'll add some new features at all levels.
Sounds like the Prius will be getting the update over the next year? Also unclear if they plan upgrades for current models or merely removal of the subscription fee. "Over the next six months, Toyota will introduce its latest Entune on seven more models: Corolla, Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Tacoma, 4Runner and Sequoia. Remaining models will be updated over the next year."
Good point. Toyota could well be planning to charge for updates to the audio system firmware once the car is out of warranty, even if there's no subscription fee for the service and updates to the Entune app are free.
If us current owners are even lucky enough to get the update, I could see them charging us for it. That's probably why you'll then get your Entune Service for free when you pay one lump sum for the update. But on the other hand, I have never heard of anyone charging for firmware updates so that'll be a tough sell.
They're going to have to do a lot better than "free" to get me to install that pile of crap again. Slow, buggy, annoying and ugly. And I never did really figure out what benefits it was supposed to bring me. It's an embarrassment of an app.