11.6 Infotainment Upgradable with Carplay?

No

 

I emailed Toyota about this the other day actually. Although they say there is no update, they do mention they are actively working with Apple and do seem to be looking into a strategy for roll out on the Prius line. I would suggest all who want CarPlay with a possible update for the 17/18 Prime to reach out to Toyota and request it as well. The more people that put in request, the more our voice can be heard, and the more likely we could potentially get an update.

 

Can you put in a link to email Toyota?

 

It would be nice if Toyota can update firmware for all those who currently owns Prime with 11.6 screen. Does anyone know if you can hack or mod the current infotainment?

 

Here's the webform I used: Toyota FAQs | Send Questions to Toyota Customer Service I encourage everyone to email Toyota and ask for CarPlay/Android Auto capability. With enough voice, who knows, they made add support in the future!

I would assume they use a signed FW payload to carry out updates OTA or via USB; most likely over DoIP. Then again, I have seem some pretty relaxed security standards on cars thus far. I would also assume there is a JTAG header somewhere on the logic board that most likely lends easy-ish access to a serial console. I would need to pull the unit out and get it on a bench to really hack into it. Not sure my wife would be too happy with me already trying to rip it out at this point, plus I'm not sure I really have the time. I think an investigation is definitely do able at this point and would reveal much more. Also, a dump of the Toyota FSM would be really helpful, schematic wise.

I contacted BeatSonic about the "Phone Mirroring" system they have developed for other Toyota vehicle and this was their response for the 11.6" Prime display:

so it seems like they know how to do it, they just don't make products that case the need for modification out of principle.

 

Wow! Thanks aveach for looking into this. That's really too bad on BeatSonic part as it would be really nice to add some app (even using the current software from Toyota and just being able to add apps). I feel like maybe i should've went with the small screen and saved myself the $1800 option. Guess I'll have to wait a few years until someone decides to hack it like the old pioneer head units.

 

Thanks! I just sent an email also. Really hope they add CarPlay in a future update to 2018 models...

 

Me too...just sent the email as well. One can hope, right?

 

Ditto here too!
Sent my email...

 

Thanks for posting this. I would think many people want to let them know what's up but they have absolutely no point of contact. Emailed. It's ridiculous they haven't incorporated Carplay/Auto into their systems. Do they not know how clunky their Entune BS is and always will be... I mean, my God.

So wait, what is the consensus on whether there will ever be a rollout of carplay/auto enabling on 11 inch infotainment systems for 17/18 primes?

 

Sent with comparison to a competing model, Honda Clarity. Maybe that will help to push them forward.

 

My guess is there is a hefty licensing fee paid to Apple for every vehicle equipped with Apple Play.
Therefore the odds of Toyota adding it to existing vehicles for gratis is zero.
Personally I would trade the XM radio for Apple Play even swap.
J

 

Got an email back from Toyota:
Thank you for taking time to contact Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We appreciate the opportunity to address your inquiry regarding the inclusion of Apple Carplay in our vehicles.
Please accept our apologies as there are no plans on launching an update to retrofit and include Apple Carplay into previous model vehicles.

We certainly appreciate your inquiry and interest. You can sign up for the latest updates with our RSS Feed and/or receive email alerts when new information is posted in the Toyota USA Newsroom.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Daniell T.
Toyota Customer Experience Center

 

Pretty much the same response I got today too:

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We appreciate the opportunity to address your inquiry regarding the inclusion of Apple CarPlay in our vehicles.

Currently, the only confirmed model to include Apple CarPlay is the all-new 2019 Toyota Avalon, the 2019 Corolla Hatchback and select future model vehicles. We apologize, we do not have plans on launching an update to retrofit and include Apple CarPlay into previous model vehicles.

We certainly appreciate your inquiry and interest. You can sign up for the latest updates with our RSS Feed and/or receive email alerts when new information is posted in the Toyota USA Newsroom.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Christina C.
Toyota Customer Experience Center​

 

I wonder how many even know what an RSS Feed is any more? Maybe they should put the info in a “gopher hole” as well?

RSS - Wikipedia
Gopher (protocol) - Wikipedia

 

Even if they are still around, I am not getting any notifications from a bunch RSS Feeds I signed up ions ago.

OTOH, Gopher is probably dead. I can't say I ever used it after DOS died.

 

RSS is still alive. A nice iPhone App is Feedly. I use it. Sure cuts down the time to catch up on all my news articles daily.
The Toyota Plugin Prius feed doesn't seem up to date however.