Car Play, Android Auto, Built in infotainment
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,246
Likes: 275
Car Play, Android Auto, Built in infotainment
Hollis told Automotive News that CarPlay and Amazon's Alexa voice assistant will be standard on the Avalon and future Toyota vehicles. Android Auto — for smartphones using Google software — will be next.
"Clearly CarPlay, and really any integration of technology, needs to occur in our vehicles," he said. "We start with it today."
Toyota's luxury division, Lexus, confirmed that Alexa would be integrated into its vehicles, but not CarPlay or Android Auto yet.
Hollis said the Apple and Android capability would be retrofitted onto older Toyota models, but that it would take time.
Michael Ramsey, an analyst at the Gartner consultancy, said Toyota's low-key rollout of smartphone integration is likely the result of an internal debate over sharing customer data with the tech giants.
"Clearly CarPlay, and really any integration of technology, needs to occur in our vehicles," he said. "We start with it today."
Toyota's luxury division, Lexus, confirmed that Alexa would be integrated into its vehicles, but not CarPlay or Android Auto yet.
Hollis said the Apple and Android capability would be retrofitted onto older Toyota models, but that it would take time.
Michael Ramsey, an analyst at the Gartner consultancy, said Toyota's low-key rollout of smartphone integration is likely the result of an internal debate over sharing customer data with the tech giants.
Pretty awesome if they update old cars with it!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 2
From: Ontario
http://www.autonews.com/article/2018...arplay-detroit
Pretty awesome if they update old cars with it!
Pretty awesome if they update old cars with it!
the quote "Hollis said the Apple and Android capability would be retrofitted onto older Toyota models," doesn't necessarily mean it will be available to owners of older vehicles. it could just mean they'll make it available on new year versions of models that have been around for a few years. but hopefully it does mean it will be available to cars already on the road but i highly doubt it.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,562
Likes: 404
From: ON/NY
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,288
Likes: 1,894
From: WA
The quote here implies it will be a while, if ever:
https://lexusenthusiast.com/2018/01/...exus-vehicles/
Lexus parent company Toyota...has confirmed to Apple website MacRumors that pre-2019 vehicles will not be upgraded “at this time”.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 4
From: RightHere
One thing to remember is that in order to use Carplay you plug in your iPhone via usb. This is what the talk is about. There is nothing that ever stopped Lexus/Toyota owners from switching head units to do just that. So the thing about why and why not is just about convenience. Guess that's the generation of owners who grew up glued to a screen of one sort or the other.
In order to use this, you are hardwired to your smartphone 24/7. Toyota had legitimate concerns about privacy and so this is just an incremental step. So you want a touchscreen and instant messaging in your car all the time? Then why bother driving? Just use a self driving car and forget about all the ancillary stuff.
At this point, why have a car with a steering wheel?
In order to use this, you are hardwired to your smartphone 24/7. Toyota had legitimate concerns about privacy and so this is just an incremental step. So you want a touchscreen and instant messaging in your car all the time? Then why bother driving? Just use a self driving car and forget about all the ancillary stuff.
At this point, why have a car with a steering wheel?
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,246
Likes: 275
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,246
Likes: 275
the quote "Hollis said the Apple and Android capability would be retrofitted onto older Toyota models," doesn't necessarily mean it will be available to owners of older vehicles. it could just mean they'll make it available on new year versions of models that have been around for a few years. but hopefully it does mean it will be available to cars already on the road but i highly doubt it.
They also specifically dont want to confirm when it might happen because then if it doesnt for whatever reason, there will be an outrage.. so I bet they will be vague about it until it is done.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 2
From: Ontario
I was looking around for information on the Camry XSE and XSE V6 that replaces gps scout link with built in nav. It was on part of an FAQ that talked about compatibility between the various versions and which ones can work with carplay, that require the USB connection AND BT Low Power Profile together. I tried looking for it again, no luck, will update if I find it.
update: interestingly, MY2016 is also the year that Toyota introduced Telenav and Scout GPS as their "connected" gps solution and Scout GPS Link as their in car Search connectivity solution.
update: interestingly, MY2016 is also the year that Toyota introduced Telenav and Scout GPS as their "connected" gps solution and Scout GPS Link as their in car Search connectivity solution.
Last edited by My0gr81; Jan 22, 2018 at 06:05 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,611
Likes: 372
From: In your head
As long as your hvac system isnt routed through the headunit, I dont know why you`d wait for Toyota to get the ball moving, since they have no incentive to really rapidly update their existing HUs/retrofit. Jump on a newer headunit with plenty is a better option. Lexus monikers however basically are kinda of stuck since most of the headunits integrate functions and/or more importatnly which reputable HU company makes headunits that are drop and play into existing nav pods. Anything with a remote touch has a floating screen on top, or a nav pod which would require quite a bit of DIY
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,246
Likes: 275
Lexus has announced that some 2015, and all 2016, 2017, and 2018 models have been updated to work with Alexa... you can turn on/off, lock and check fuel via Alexa.
taken from LE:
https://lexusenthusiast.com/2018/05/...oice-commands/
I think it is cool that it is added to older vehicles...
taken from LE:
The Amazon Alexa cloud-based voice service is now able to interface directly with Lexus vehicles, with commands to start or stop the engine, lock/unlock the doors, and check vehicle fuel level.
This service is available on select 2015 model year vehicles (IS, ES, GS, LS, RC, NX) and all 2016, 2017, & 2018 model year vehicles excluding the CT 200h without navigation. An active Lexus Enform Remote subscription is also required.
This service is available on select 2015 model year vehicles (IS, ES, GS, LS, RC, NX) and all 2016, 2017, & 2018 model year vehicles excluding the CT 200h without navigation. An active Lexus Enform Remote subscription is also required.
I think it is cool that it is added to older vehicles...
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 260
Likes: 4
From: WA
http://www.autonews.com/article/2018...arplay-detroit
Pretty awesome if they update old cars with it!
Pretty awesome if they update old cars with it!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 11
From: California
One thing to remember is that in order to use Carplay you plug in your iPhone via usb. This is what the talk is about. There is nothing that ever stopped Lexus/Toyota owners from switching head units to do just that. So the thing about why and why not is just about convenience. Guess that's the generation of owners who grew up glued to a screen of one sort or the other.
In order to use this, you are hardwired to your smartphone 24/7. Toyota had legitimate concerns about privacy and so this is just an incremental step. So you want a touchscreen and instant messaging in your car all the time? Then why bother driving? Just use a self driving car and forget about all the ancillary stuff.
At this point, why have a car with a steering wheel?
In order to use this, you are hardwired to your smartphone 24/7. Toyota had legitimate concerns about privacy and so this is just an incremental step. So you want a touchscreen and instant messaging in your car all the time? Then why bother driving? Just use a self driving car and forget about all the ancillary stuff.
At this point, why have a car with a steering wheel?
In my opinion - the only reason you would really use Apple/Android car play is if your car doesn't come with navigation. I mean - that's the only reason I used it on my Camaro SS rental because I needed a navigation. People always use the excuse of apple car play being "better" than the standard system. Apple Car play can be on its 10th verison and it won't be better than BMW's iDrive or MB's MBUX system. Specifically for Lexus - Apple Car play (Apple Maps) will never be better than the Lexus Navigation.
Lexus should take a page out of BMW/MB/Porsche books. Make people pay for Apple/Android car play. That way the base cost don't increase while giving options to the fools that want it. I would never pay for Apple car play. If it came standard with it, I would never touch it either.
I don't think RX will get the update. The RX runs enform 1.0 - only 2.0 with touchpad gets update. I personally wouldn't worry about it. If you have the Lexus navigation, you are better off with that than the Apple Maps from Apple Car play.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,246
Likes: 275
Update to the thread was about Alexa, it was added to some 2015 and then to all 2016, 2017 and 2018 vehicles.