Also keep in mind generally the car that comes out today, has 5-6 year old technology in it. By the time it is designed, inspected, signed off on, certified, and production gets going for full mass assembly you aren't changing anything. So what you have today, expect to see in the 2020MY cars.
Toyota made an official statement about 4 months ago on not supporting android auto or apple car play. Their reasons were basically they wanted to control the Toyota entertainment eco system and didn't want to relinquish control. Well, they are going to lose control of their Prius marketshare because of releasing such a hideous looking vehicle.
actually, most reviewers like it. they may lose some current prius owners who somehow thought the gen2 or 3 was a good looking car.
and actually, G4 also has latest version of Entune, which has dual core cpu and is much faster than system in 2015 G3 or any other Toyota right now. I also think Android Auto or Car Play support missing is disappointing, so far it seems they will be adding it next year to their Entune systems ... it is also true that both Android Auto and Car Play are currently very weak systems with very small app support. This is especially true for Car Play which has only Apple maps support and they are pretty bad. But yes, for future proofing, it will be nice to have.
there was some talk at their latest vehicle introduction and journalists were told to expect something happening "next" year.
I would sign up for a vehicle where the head unit (with Entune) is left out. Just give me the wiring and speakers already in place, and the wiring harnesses with connectors ready to hookup an aftermarket unit. At least I wouldn't be charged for their system.
if you move to japan, thats how every Toyota model is, including very expensive one... i dont think you save any money though...
Keep in mind that Android Auto and Car Play are added options to existing Entune. They would not be replacing Entune. Otherwise when you dont bring your phone or dont connect it or it breaks or anything like that, you wouldnt have infotainment . Or if you have one of the existing billion smart phones that dont support Android Auto or Car Play. So it would be an option that works when you connect compatible phone and for everything else you get Entune. Toyota Touch 2 system in Europe (our Entune) supports Android mirroring but the problem is that not many phones support it properly and it is buggy.
no, I am saying that basic infotainment system is still there whether you have phone that supports Car Play or not. It is the base system that gives you infotainment and in upper packages Maps. I called that Entune I guess. In Europe they call it the system Toyota Touch 2 (and there is also more advanced Plus system).
I went from 2010 Prius to 2012 PiP to 2015 Model S and was 58 at time of last purchase. Normally I don't get the fancy extras because I don't believe that they work well enough to justify the price. After buying the model S (price/ROI/etc is out the decision process), I now want more technology. These little things we are quibbling about will be dwarfed by self driving cars (I'm guessing common in 8-10 yrs). Then you won't have to worry about getting a ride to the airport, for example. I've been waiting for the next gen PiP, but may just sit pat with the Tesla and 2012 PiP if the next gen PiP offers no real improvements. 2012 PiP should last another 4-6 yrs. I hope. The next gen +1 PiP should be here in 4-6 yrs. If not, there will be many more choices to tempt me.
GM introduced CarGo with the first Spark in the US. The car had no nav option. Just get the radio upgrade that allowed phone interfacing, pay $50 for the ap and maps, and the phone+head unit become the nav system. I know it is available on the Sonic, and there is no reason beyond greed that it can't work with other models.
Oops. Got the ap's name completely wrong. BringGo Yes, and the profit/greed here seems to be tied to the larger car models, which are more likely to be bought by those less likely to make full use of a smart phone, if they have one.
The new Volt seems to have some advantages, at least over the current Prius Plug-in, and looks quite nice. No attempts at looking spaced-out and simultaneously dressing up as the love child of a 2003 Saturn Ion and the first-gen iMac.
