Why Hasn't Lexus Embraced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Thread Starter
CL Editor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
Why Hasn't Lexus Embraced Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
We just posed this question on the blog, and we're not really sure why. You can read the post here. This seems to be the future—why haven't we seen Lexus embrace this tech?
Alpine and Pioneer are starting to roll out their aftermarket versions with a double din and Volvo and the 2016 XC90 are the first to really integrate OEM CarPlay wise. Let them all work out the bugs then Lexus will take a good idea and refine it even more 
lexus has never been fast or quick to adapt anyway. just look at how long it took lexus to have factory ipod integration -- 2010!!!!!!!! that's at least 3 years behind other competitors. good and bad, it gives them and competitors more time to work out bugs, but it does make them slow to the market which is not a good reputation (especially in this trendy era where people want stuff now).
with the culture inside toyota / lexus, i don't see this being changed any time soon. i can't say too much, but even on some other protocol and standard inside cars, toyota is also very hesitant and slow in response as well.
with the culture inside toyota / lexus, i don't see this being changed any time soon. i can't say too much, but even on some other protocol and standard inside cars, toyota is also very hesitant and slow in response as well.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,381
Likes: 357
From: ON/NY
Toyota has agreed to eventually adopt the system. The problem with doing it now is there are so many bugs to work out and the costs have to be figured out. I would love car play in my car but I don't think I would want to pay a premium or be locked into just IOS for the life of the car.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,223
Likes: 265
As to Toyota being slow, usually yes... but it also needs to be said that Toyota currently probably sells most cars worldwide with infotainment systems, with their "display audio/entune" system that is standard now in many vehicles. And probably one of the best rated systems as well, according to reviews from tech sites like cnet.
So while they were really slow up to 2011 (my 2009 IS does not even have USB), from 2012 they introduced standard systems in vehicles worldwide, so now you could say they are the leader there. Here in Europe, we have touch screen systems on every vehicle, only fleet models dont have it. So even Aygo and Yaris have affordable touch screen system, let alone Auris or Avensis. I am not aware of any other manufacturer doing the same, VW has introduced standard screen in base Golf VII, but it is 5" and far less advanced than the base 6.1" system in Auris.
Trending Topics
but their first nav system (on about '96 LS i think? i know it was on '98 2GS) BLEW everyone else away.
since then they seem to have become much more cautious, perhaps because the whole tech world is changing so rapidly it makes it hard to make decisions YEARS in advance where the system is no longer stand alone, needing to connect to devices and wireless services.
i'm pretty impressed with the uconnect system in my new jeep. the voice recognition is quite good, an area where lexus seems to have lagged for years. i don't how it is in the latest lexus models though.
since then they seem to have become much more cautious, perhaps because the whole tech world is changing so rapidly it makes it hard to make decisions YEARS in advance where the system is no longer stand alone, needing to connect to devices and wireless services.
i'm pretty impressed with the uconnect system in my new jeep. the voice recognition is quite good, an area where lexus seems to have lagged for years. i don't how it is in the latest lexus models though.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
The Gen8 nav in my GS is pretty good in regards to voice recognition. I use it to switch to different albums/artists on my iPod quite frequently and it has only missed a handful of times. The system lag is unacceptable though. Regardless of how long the car has been on, if I raise or lower the volume with quick button presses on the steering wheel, the count on the screen can't always keep up. Not a big issue, but my 07 IS had no issues keeping up.
Edit: it also lags if I switch songs on my iPod quickly too. That one is doubly annoying
Edit: it also lags if I switch songs on my iPod quickly too. That one is doubly annoying
Last edited by Allen K; Feb 27, 2015 at 06:05 AM.
but their first nav system (on about '96 LS i think? i know it was on '98 2GS) BLEW everyone else away.
since then they seem to have become much more cautious, perhaps because the whole tech world is changing so rapidly it makes it hard to make decisions YEARS in advance where the system is no longer stand alone, needing to connect to devices and wireless services.
i'm pretty impressed with the uconnect system in my new jeep. the voice recognition is quite good, an area where lexus seems to have lagged for years. i don't how it is in the latest lexus models though.
since then they seem to have become much more cautious, perhaps because the whole tech world is changing so rapidly it makes it hard to make decisions YEARS in advance where the system is no longer stand alone, needing to connect to devices and wireless services.
i'm pretty impressed with the uconnect system in my new jeep. the voice recognition is quite good, an area where lexus seems to have lagged for years. i don't how it is in the latest lexus models though.
the real tech world (r&d) is always years (more than 5 years) ahead of what people see anyway. yes there are still gambling, but hey, some companies gamble better.
The Gen8 nav in my GS is pretty good in regards to voice recognition. I use it to switch to different albums/artists on my iPod quite frequently and it has only missed a handful of times. The system lag is unacceptable though. Regardless of how long the car has been on, if I raise or lower the volume with quick button presses on the steering wheel, the count on the screen can't always keep up. Not a big issue, but my 07 IS had no issues keeping up.
Edit: it also lags if I switch songs on my iPod quickly too. That one is doubly annoying
Edit: it also lags if I switch songs on my iPod quickly too. That one is doubly annoying
the ipod integration is better now but i still think it can be better (not just speed). not to mention so far i already have more than 5 times where i start the car and the ipod simply isn't recognized and played. i have to shut off my car and start it again
oh and also the story that i managed to froze / crashed the system the first day i got the car
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 1
From: Makati, Philippines
I do like the BlackBerry Z30 though.....
P.S
Is there a platform conflict for automakers when they have to choose between Apple or Google?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,223
Likes: 265
Toyota is using QNX, probably the biggest user of it in automotive world.
Ford has only moved to QNX in most recent systems, not sure if they are shipping yet or just announced... otherwise they used Windows Automotive.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,223
Likes: 265
and Blackberry purchased QNX few years back, they did not create the system. So Blackberry part of QNX name matters not at all.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,309
Likes: 31
From: Canada
QNX, as a company and as the operating system existed before Research in Motion (Blackberry) bought it in 2010, and even if Blackberry is no longer around, the QNX operating system will live on, because it is a proven operating system. It was in car telematics systems before it was bought by Blackberry.
CarPlay and Android Auto are merely applications that currently run on the QNX operating system. I do not know if it is available for Windows Automotive but I would think that it will soon.