4th generation coming 2015!

I'm curious, why? Even if a car does support an option, there is no necessity to get that option. The worse situation is having no option for something you want.

I doubt it. I think the car manufacturers and aftermarket elecrtronics makers will try to milk this going forward. Unfortunately, people like me are partially to blame for it.

Anyways, I'm thinking of something like this:

Apple (Canada) - CarPlay

I'd also like to see integrated steering wheel buttons for it, sort of like what's already present for the sound system on my 2004.

I do see that Toyota does plan on supporting it, as they are listed as one of the partners for a future model. However, only Ferrari, Mercedez-Benz, Honda, Volvo, and Hyundai are the initial partners that will support this, likely in 2015.

Apple CarPlay partners could push back roll out to 2015: Advantage Android Auto? - Tech2

The only thing though is that this may take over navigation. I've specifically avoided integrated navigation systems until now because Toyota (like everyone else) charges so damn much for them. Or could such a system like Apple's CarPlay (or Google's option) make these integrated nav upgrades cheaper?

 

Unfortunately, BringGo gets poor reviews.

In fact, some people even report the thing crashes on startup in many setups. This is not the experience I'm looking for.

Furthermore, I'm looking for more than just nav, but also full integration with other phone features.

---

Something like this is what I'm looking for.

Add Apple CarPlay to your existing ride with Pioneer's latest head units

 

Yep

Delays for now, but I'm optimistic it will show up in the next 6 months and have bugs worked out within a year. I'm waiting for it too, to install along with a 3rd party screen into my wife's Honda Fit.

 

Because Apple specific support will come with overhead (buttons, connectors, software, etc.) that will be useless to the nearly 90% of mobile users that don't use Apple products. I'd rather them focus on open standards like Bluetooth and USB than some Apple custom software and connectors.

 

Well they're already doing that now, but it's not working very well, which was my point in the first place.

The system in the 2014 Camry I rented was very rough around the edges.

 

Even if they get it working well, Apple obsoletes their own products so quickly that by the time you get rid of the car it's likely that it won't have been working well for many years.

 

Now that is utter nonsense.

 

Really? How's that ubiquitous Apple 30 pin connector working for you?

 

You mean the 30 pin connector that they kept around for 9 years?

Anyhoo, the Lightning connector was only released 2 years ago. I suspect it will be around for a minimum of another 5 years, but likely longer.

Furthermore, according to that Ferrari/Pioneer video, software updates are done on the device itself, not the car unit, since all the complex stuff is done on the device. What the car unit provides is simply the touchscreen interface, etc.

 

9 years is a lot? How long has the 1/8th inch (3.5mm) stereo jack been around (which Apple is now trying to kill)? How about USB?

 

Which USB interface?

USB-1.0
USB-2.0
USB-3.0

 

Uh, what are you talking about? The 3.5 mm stereo jack has been on all iPods and all iPhones since they were first launched, and that won't change in the foreseeable future.

However, some of us want more than a simple aux input.

BTW, as of this year, USB's connector has changed drastically, ironically to an orientation-neutral design like Apple's Lightning.

What is Type-C USB 3.1? Faster charging, quicker data, smaller mobiles and the death of AC laptop chargers - Pocket-lint

 

All the USB versions are compatible, unlike 30 pin and Lightning. And Apple has made noise about using Lightning for headphones and not providing 3.5mm jacks in the future.

 

My wife and I stopped by the Toyota dealer today. It was a busy place. They sold 20 cars yesterday. All of the salesmen were busy today so the owner of the facility happened to be there and took us to look at the only Gen III model three on the lot. While we spoke my wife quizzed him about the 2015 Prius.

He admitted that he didn't know much about the Gen IV except the car is going through some major changes. He said they would likely be delayed from a November or December release and more likely would be out in the spring.

As I sat in the Gen III I noticed that the front seat cup holders are so far back that my arm would be hitting them all the time. The 0% financing is tempting. We briefly considered going for an upgrade today but my wife agrees that the flying bridge design isn't to our liking. The owner did say many people were unhappy with the flying bridge design. We will wait for the 2015 to come out to see if there have been enough changes to the console for us to consider a Prius upgrade next year.

 

And has an adaptor available.

If you want to her criticism, I can record my daughter after I mention "power adapter replacement cost." LOL

 

This thread has been taken hostage by the electronic extremist.

 

Nah, just "extending" the WHAT-MAY-BE's option-list-items possible in the 2015 GenIV...may the farce be with y'all.

 

At least people are still speculating a little bit about the gen 4.

I hope they don't go too cheap on the interior/electronic stuff. Sure, it's not a must-have for a lot of people, but as evidenced by some recent posts here, some people do like the bells & whistles in their car. Considering all the stuff that newer cars are getting, such as bluetooth, usb connection and a large touchscreen, I'm guessing those are going to be standard items from this point on in vehicles as people are going to expect to see such things in them, even the lowest/cheapest trims.

 

...and, HOPEFULLY, all those "bells & whistles" will come fitted into standardized (DIN or SAE) mounting fixtures, SO the owner can replace something if they don't like a specific OEM "bell" or "whistle"!