A real criminal wouldn't want to leave witnesses behind. I'll pass on that ending.

 

Ward,
That's why I always have the nav volume set to "mute", so I dont have to listen to it complaining about my alternate routes

 

I wish the systems became basically monitors for smartphones which are more rapidly evolving. That probably wouldn't satisfy the car makers with enough $$$, on sale and yearly updates though.

 

Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto. It's happening.

 

Could this be an option in the future for those of us with 6th gen nav?

 

Sure is. Of course, it also comes with a new ES so it is an expensive upgrade

All kidding aside, the manufacturer has no incentive to upgrade an old system when they are in the business of building and selling new cars. They don't want their old "upgraded" models to compete with new models. They want each new generation to have some gotta-have new feature (or color/finish) to attract repeat customers as well as new buyers.

I may be mistaken on this, but I am very doubtful you will see any upgrade option from the manufacturer. Perhaps a third party accessory company will build something but still doubtful.

 

I get it now. I really thought most systems had settings that allowed you to choose preferences like "fastest route" versus "shortest or most direct route". I am not finding any such settings here. I will have to dig through the manual and perhaps stop by the dealer to see if their technology specialist has any suggestions.

 

I'd really like to see Apple Carplay as an option one day for my 4LS.

 

There is at least one company that is developing a module that will allow use of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with the OEM Nav system, last I heard though it was going to be quite expensive (as in $1,000+), but I would imagine there will be an aftermarket option. How well it integrates will have to wait to be seen.

As for a factory upgrade, no it will never happen from Lexus.

 

I have a Lexus Nav system in my car. When I'm planning a trip I update my $150.00 Garmin maps (free) and search for any traffic issues. (free). I then select either fastest way, toll free, interstates, or local routes. I can listen to an Australian, Irish, British or American accent. Male or female, Chinese if I choose. I find the Garmin twice as easy to program and, usually but not always, right on the money for directions. When I get where I'm going I switch it to pedestrian mode for directions while walking. Used it all over Eastern and Western Europe without a hitch.

I'm not employed by Garmin...Just like their products.

 

Technically there's nothing stopping someone from developing a third party head unit that had Android Auto or CarPlay. I've got a cheap touchscreen WinCE-based head unit that handles media playback and GPS. It came with a bunch of adapters to hook up to the stock media processor/amp, steering wheel and CANbus network.

If a no-name factory in Shenzhen can do it, I think Pioneer or Kenwood should be able to do the same. They already have Android Auto/CarPlay/DisplayLink-compatible units, they just need to make one that fits in the ES.

 

True True, and is overdue for Lexus. I can see why car makers are reluctant to add it. It's a virtual guarantee they'll lose money on upgrades, but not many of us pay money for newspapers any more either. Technology train moves fast, and speeds up daily. The carplay still isn't a full robust system yet either..but IMHO it will be before the vendors who provide nav for auto industry.

 

I wouldn't say it's "overdue", these systems are just now starting to show up in vehicles.

 

Sad day when I can buy a sub 30K Buick new and get ACP out of the box. Lol.

At least my LS will still be solid when every body panel has fallen off the Buick.

 

It's overdue IMO. I think Lexus should have jumped on it with 2016 refresh at least. Harder to find cars w/o it now in this class (that aren't Japanese). Buick is on second year with it.

I still wish nav systems a slave screen to smart phones. ACP is step in right direction.