To download Entune or not, THAT is the question.

I downloaded the app and it initiated a software update for the JBL Entune system (2016 Prius 4). I have been using the app and the updated in-car software without any major issues for over a month. The only minor issue is that sometimes the app does not seamlessly connect to the system when the car starts. For example, it will happen every time if you start the car in a location where your car has no cell signal (e.g. an underground parking deck). It will reconnect if you open the app when your cell signal returns, but it won't do it on it's own.

 

How do you do the software update? I tried to do it and there is none?

 

How did you get to update your car?

The app works well for me and has never crashed. The app looks old and dated. Those are my only complaints

 

The Entune system automatically prompted me within 15-20 minutes of opening up the app the first time. It took about 5 minutes to run the update.

 

That same scenario happened to me. In my Avalon too.

 

The app works fine but falls short on functionality. Using Pandora through Entune uses the app on your smartphone to provide an Internet data connection. The experience offers little over just using the Pandora app on your smartphone and playing through the car's Bluetooth connection.

 

I found the Entune app to be a dog, and I have no desire to run Pandora or iHeart etc. in the car.

 

I like Entune a lot. Start-up can be a little quirky if I'm in my garage but that can be caused by the Prius Bluetooth connecting to the last connected phone (e.g. my wife's phone) instead of to my phone or due to the household Bluetooth system not "wanting" to turn loose of my phone - same quirks as in our other vehicles with Bluetooth.

I particularly like Entune's Pandora interface which allows me to keep my phone in my pocket instead of having to manually control Pandora through the phone screen. Entune makes it easy to change Pandora channels, give thumbs up or down, skip songs, and it's nice to see the album covers on the in-dash screen. One of the best features of the Entune Pandora interface is that it pauses a song when the ignition is turned off and resumes the song when the ignition is turned back on - nice when making a lot of stops on the way home from work. And since my phone screen can be left off when I'm streaming Pandora through Entune, phone battery usage is much lower and I can get away without having plug the phone into a charger as often. I subscribe to Pandora and listen to it often.

Another particularly handy feature of Entune is Destination Search (formerly Bing Search). The POI's in the navigation system quickly become out of date as businesses come and go. Destination Search allows finding and navigating to locations that are not in the navigation system database.

 

I had the impression when I tried Pandora through Entune that it had less functionality than the app on the phone. It seemed slower, too. Maybe I will try it again. It's important to be able to thumb up and down when training a station.

 

Yes, Pandora on Entune has limited functionality and won't let a person do things he shouldn't be doing while driving - like reading song lyrics and artist biographies on the in-dash screen. And there is a limit to the number of Pandora channels that can be displayed on the in-dash screen but the limit is quite high and gave me an incentive to purge my unused Pandora channels.

I control Pandora directly from the Pandora phone app when I drive our 2014 Sienna Limited. Oddly, Entune was available only on the less expensive Sienna through 2014.

I use the same Pandora functions rather I'm streaming it without Entune in the Sienna or through Entune in the Prius except I have to put my phone in a holder high on the Sienna dashboard in order to make it safe to do without Entune. And it is a lot easier to press the larger buttons on the in-dash Entune Pandora screen than corresponding smaller buttons on the Pandora phone app screen while driving.

I don't understand what you meant by "It seemed slower". I haven't noticed a difference in what I would call "access speed" between the Pandora phone app and the Entune Pandora app when it comes to skipping songs and choosing channels.

 

How much data on your data plan will this eat?

 

How much data Entune uses totally depends on which Entune applications you use and how much you use them. I use the Pandora app of Entune continuously when I drive my wife's Prius v but that is probably no more than three hours total per month when I wash and fuel it. The amount of data on my phone used by Entune has varied between 38MB and 55MB for each of the past three months - I just checked.

For comparison, I listened to Pandora directly through the Pandora app on my phone in my Sienna about an hour almost every weekday in January and more on weekends - total data usage for that was 275MB. I've been averaging about 4GB of total data usage per month doing lots of stuff on my phone.

Assuming you have a smart phone and a data plan, it's not going to hurt anything to try Entune. Set up an Entune account, register for other apps (Pandora, Slacker, etc.), link the apps to your Entune account and give it a try. If you don't like it or if you think it uses too much data, just stop using it, i.e. stay out of the Entune apps.

 

Can one thumb up or down a song with the Entune/Pandora car app while driving, or is that function disabled?

 

Yes.

 

I downloaded it onto my phone then the next time I put my phone down on the Qi charger the system started an update. I think you just have to have the Bluetooth interface active.

 

Once I got keys to my car my salesman sat in the car and walked me through the audio system and had me install the Entune app. during this time, the stereo prompted to download an update. I think it was <5min to run the update.

 

Bought a plug in a few weeks ago..
Got enTune loaded on our phones and synced up with the car, but link to EV tools is now off Toyota Entune website ..says page not found.

Did see an anouncement on Prius Prime that stated it too would have 'EV Apps' available too .

What I am missing in my install ? or is this a case of 'fool me once ....??'

Kenny

 

In order to get the EV apps on Entune, you must have a subscription to Safety Connect service in addition to using the Entune App.

 

Toyota's options and announcement create confusion on what is available under the Entune brand.

Plug-in Advanced came with 3-years of Safety Connect, after which the subscription is $139.95 annually.
"Your Safety Connect Subscription has expired. An active subscription is required. To renew, please call 888-683-9505"

IMO - The limitations reflect poorly on Toyota.

Toyota's statement -

Entune App Suite is a collection of popular mobile applications and data services integrated with select 2012 or newer Toyota vehicles.

Entune App Suite is included with your vehicle, at no additional or annual charge.

Once the phone is connected to the vehicle using Bluetooth® wireless technology, Entune's App Suite features are operated using the vehicle's controls or, for some services, by voice recognition. Entune App Suite includes Destination Search, iHeartRadio, Slacker Radio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable®, and Pandora®. Entune App Suite data services include fuel guide, sports scores, stocks, traffic and weather.

Select 2014 and newer vehicles also include Facebook Places and Yelp. Entune App Suite for Prius Plug-in Hybrid Advanced model and RAV4 EV Applications also include Charge Management, Charge Station Locator, Remote Climate, Vehicle Finder and Eco Dashboard. Please go to Toyota.com/entune for details and applicable phones.

Slacker Radio is only available on the following Toyota multimedia systems: Entune Premium Audio, Entune Premium JBL® Audio, Premium HDD Navigation with Entune® App Suite, Premium IntelliTouch Navigation with Entune® App Suite and EV Applications, Display Navigation with Entune® App Suite.