RajaG

Hi all,
Just started exploring the Enform app on my 2013 ES 350. The delivery specialist did not inform me that I'd have to install the Enform app on my Android phone, so I called today, found that out, and installed it. When I clicked on apps, it had to do an update, and after that, good to go.

My question is this: Have I guessed correctly that the car does use any kind of wireless connection to run the apps....all the connection is between my phone and my Verizon? In other words, the car simply uses Bluetooth to communicate? Connect time is entirely on my phone?

I've wondered....compared to a direct AUX connect by cable, how good is Bluetooth in sound quality, anyone know?

Tried the OpenTable app, I found you have to search with no name entered, and then can narrow down by ethnicity or type of restaurant. Not very intuitive...I'd like to have it search by ethnicity right from the first page....

Finally, after the first year, isn't it over $200 a year just to use Enform? Do you think that is pretty steep? Or you think you'll happily (or unhappily) pay the price?

Raja

LexRuger

I won't be renewing mine. It's a waste for anyone that already has a smart phone. You're probably paying for a data plan for your phone so why pay for Enform?

Mike728

The app fee is $7/mo. I like it mainly for Pandora. You have more options using it through the app, than just the phone. I'm dropping XM, which will more than cover the fee, once the trial is over.

jollick

Has anyone figured out if it is possible to adjust the bass, mid and treble when using Pandora with the app.

Mike728

Yes, in the app audio tab.

jollick

I cannot seem to find it. Is it on the car app or the phone? I have an iPhone 5 and all I can see is a button for high quality audio but no tone adjustment.

Mike728

Off the top of my head, hit the media button on the dash to get you to XM, Bluetooth audio, Aux, etc... One of those tabs shows "Apps". If your Pandora is already set up, you can access it form that tab. In that tab is the familiar "Sound" button, that allows the settings you're looking for.

ElliotB

" isn't it over $200 a year just to use Enform"

No, there is a fee for the automatic SOS service (sorry, don't know the official name) and there is a small additional fee for the Enform service. I don't know the exact amounts.

LexBob2

Here is the pricing for the various services.

http://www.lexus.com/enform/

RajaG

Since I posted the message on this thread, I've been looking up about the quality of Bluetooth sound quality. Yesterday I listened to Pandora using my wife's iPhone 5 and USB. Certainly sounded better, more rich sound, than using Bluetooth. My Droid Bionic only has Android 4.0.4, and I've heard that with Android 4.1 and up, you can get USB sound on cars so equipped for a USB connection. Hope so. Am planning to get a Samsung Galaxy S4 when it comes out end of this month. It has Android 4.2 I believe. It would be great to be charging the phone while it plays, like iPhone users have enjoyed.
Bottom line is that USB or AUX sound is definitely better than BT....but can't beat the convenience of BT!

Mike728

There is no degradation in sound quality using Bluetooth. It's a digital transfer and it does not alter the "audio" bits from the source. The only way to degrade the audio quality would be by using the analog Aux port. Not likely noticeable unless the cable is damaged, though. Now, if you have a bad BT connection, that's another story.

jollick

Thanks Mike, I finally found it, I needed to use the radio button on the dash and select the App tab, and there it was, the familiar sound button. I was trying to do it using the main menu app folder and the sound button is not there using Pandora that way. I lowered the mid almost all the way and now Pandora sounds better.