NAV system map updates

The Entune apps (not the Plug-in apps like charge level) work fine on my new model Blackberry over Bluetooth. I had to side-load the application, since Toyota has decided to support only old Blackberry models, not any released in the last couple of years.

 

Phone Connectivity states:

It seems to state Entune is iPhone USB, but Hybrid Apps is Bluetooth, but both work fine with Bluetooth.

The Base trim has Display Audio w/ Navigation while the Advanced trim has Premium HDD Navigation. I believe Kahuna69 means passing on the Premium HDD Navigation.

My iPhone 4S is actually on 5.0, but it's probably a difference between the Base and the Advanced trims.

 

I see what it says, but in fact the Hybrid apps use neither Bluetooth nor USB; they connect over the smart-phone's Internet connection to a server that calls the Safety Connect cell phone built into the (Advanced Trim) PiP. Their whole point is that they provide remote access to your car.

 

My understanding of things is that if you have the Advanced package, data is provided via two-methods: XM data services & the built-in cell phone that Safety Connect uses. If you have the Base model, you must use your smartphone for the data connection. For Android users, this data connection can go over the Bluetooth connection. If you have an iPhone (like I do), you must plug the phone in via USB since the Bluetooth data connection isn't currently working.

 

Like I said before, the Advanced Premium HDD Navigation Entune Apps work over Bluetooth with my iPhone 4S.

 

It's sort of complicated by the various kinds of applications in play here.

There are the PlugIn apps such as charge level and car locator that are available only on the Advanced model, and use the Safety Connect phone.

There are media apps like Pandora which use your smart phone's Internet connection via Bluetooth or USB.

There is stuff like the traffic overlays on the map that come over XM data on the Advanced model and use your smart phone's Internet connection via Bluetooth or USB on the Base model.

 

So it sounds like a Display Audio headunit problem. They've been grousing about this over in the Prius V forums as well.

 

Not entirely correct. The Charging Station App uses the smartphone's internet access via Bluetooth or USB to get the list of charging stations.

 

Point taken. For Plug-In applications, I was thinking of the apps that run on the smart phone and talk to the car via the Safety Connect phone. As I understand it, the only user interface on the car itself to the Safety Connect phone is the SOS button to contact the Safety Connect dispatcher. All other data comes from either Sirius/XM data or the smart phone Internet connection. I think the Safety Connect phone is REAL dumb; using at most a 2G data connection, maybe even analog modem tones on a voice call. Does anyone know who Toyota uses as a cellular provider for Safety Connect?

 

I think you would actually want an analog cell for the Safety Connect -- that network probably still has the broadest national coverage, which would be important if you got into trouble on a deserted highway out in the middle of nowhere...

 

Actually, the analog cellular network has been almost entirely shut down for several years now. The major providers that had analog service (Verizon, at&t) shut them down as soon as they got permission from the FCC to discontinue it. Sprint and T-Mobile never provided analog service.The only analog service you will find these days is from a handful of small local mom-and-pop providers. The analog mechanism I was talking about refers to sending modem tones over a voice connection, like the old dial-up modems. "Real" data service on cellular networks sends data directly over data calls (no funny tones), as opposed to voice calls, which are also digital, but carry digitized audio.

 

I have a 2014 PiP, with (I think) the Display Audio w/ Navigation unit. Very frustrated to find that a map update would cost $200 for the maps plus $100 for labor! Crazy... I use Waze for my commute, but still like having the in-car system as backup. But anything over $75 is just nuts for an update. Really makes me want to find a workaround...

 

I'm not sure its worth wasting any time on the display audio nav unit. I've been using Waze for a while now too. Even entering an address takes forever on the head unit. And lately, I've noticed I cant stand the map view because it just doesnt seem to show enough information (not all street names, for example).

I really wish we could get Carplay (or Android Auto) to work on it. There's a module that adds Carplay functionality to the 2016+ Prius head unit.. but nothing for the older ones.

 

I'm in the same boat. I'm still running 2013 maps, so everytime I drive over the Bay Bridge it shows that I am in the water, and when I drive through the Devil's Slide tunnels it shows my car going through solid rock. I would pay to get them updated, but whenever I take the car in for service and ask about new maps, they always tell me to wait until the fall. This is what I have been hearing for three years. Is there or isn't there an update available to these maps?

 

idk, but i would try a different dealer, maybe call first. 2014 is fairly new, keeping in mind how old toyota's maps are. the bay bridge has been there for awhile, has it not?

 

My service rep agreed, that Toyota needs to rethink their pricing ... Then recommended not to pay for the update. Then asked, do you have a smart phone? ... Of course ... "Just use that, its much better anyway".

 

The new eastern span of the bridge opened in September 2013.

 

There's one every year, comes out around November. I can see the dealer advising you to wait for November rather than spending the money in, say, July. What times of year have you been going in to ask? Maybe they aren't remembering that they told you the same thing last year, and the year before.

-Chap

 

I use google maps, or apple maps, or maps.me or waze, or my Garmin. Garmin does require a little effort to set up since I don't want to leave it in the car. But it's my road trip companion since the maps are free and it shows the speed limit next to my speed and also tells me which lane I need in order to make the exit I'm taking.

 

I have a 2014 Prius Plug-in Advanced with the technology package. It was delivered with a 2013 database. It is in for its 30,000 mile service. The dealer called and said there was a 'Radio update' that they did for no charge but wanted to charge me for the map update. As I service all my 'Toyota's' there, they gave me a 'special price' of only $150. My wife's Acura costs about that much from a DVD.

Anyway, does anyone know what they might be referring to when they say 'Radio Update'???

Thanks,

Phil