There's no new information and Lexus (U.S.A.) ain't talking... Espana and Australia not withstanding... And I think you're right David. You'll get answers when and if Lexus decides to offer them. Further, it looks like a sure bet that our neighbors to the North aren't getting it ever...

 

Then why is Lexus Spain doing the retrofit for free? I wouldn't assume anything.

I'm an Android user and I bought a refurbished iPhone 6s to have CarPlay in my 2019 ES. Therefore, I really don't care if Lexus USA does a retrofit. But if I was interested in the retrofit, I would do a little digging and find out exactly what Lexus Spain and Australia are doing. If they are doing it, then it's no secret anymore. Posting and griping in this discussion group is not productive. If you're really interested, do some original research. Or buy an iPhone, like I did.

 

What fun is it to have a forum if people can’t gripe in a non-productive way? It’s the internet! If you think there’s griping here, head over to the Tesla forums. Yikes!

 

All i can say is if they dont retrofit all 2019 models and make AA available across the same model year line-up, consistent with later 2019 models, it'd be a serious bad judgement on their part.

 

It was just an assumption since nobody here really knows. I have no skin in the game since I have a 2020 model and already have it!

 

I sort of agree with you, but I much prefer to accomplish things.

What I find frustrating is that the information is out there. Lexus Australia and Spain are doing retrofits as we type. All of this discussion is a display of ignorance in an information vacuum. If you really want the retrofit, do some research. Who knows? It may be a simple software update and someone may already have a copy. You never know what you might find if you start digging.

Or if you can't wait, just buy an iPhone, like I did. It was cheaper than what Lexus Australia is charging for the retrofit and, IMO, it's a better option because you leave it plugged in all the time. IOW, you don't have to plug and unplug your phone each time you get in and out of your car.

 

I have an iPhone, so for me, personally, this is all moot. But yes, if I was an Android user I'd seriously consider getting the cheapest iPhone if having this functionality was that important to me.

 

Bump... Anyone have any new information? Apparently Espana and Australia 2019 ES owners now have Android Auto software installed.

From Lexus Australia: https://ausdroid.net/2019/11/09/leux...pples-carplay/

 

Lexus has notoriously poor judgment as it relates to technology. They're fine with overlooking the obvious. As I've said a hundred times, they could provide an update to all early Entune 2.0 based infotainment cars that have CarPlay but not AA via a download from their website that plugs into the USB on the center console. They choose not to.

 

Which is really puzzling to me as it seems so simple to do if it's just a download. Owners in Spain got it for free, done in an hour. .. Lexus' policies make me start to think about other lux car manufacturers and how they treat their customers. Love the car but unhappy with more than the tech side with Lexus.

 

This is also the reason why I'm telling my wife not to get a Lexus as we are considering our family's second vehicle. It's like once you buy a vehicle from them, they no longer care about customer loyalty.

 

Frankly, after using Apple Car Play for a couple of weeks in the Lexus, and Android Auto on my phone, I'm not sure I even want AA. And, I certainly wouldn't pay for an upgrade. I found just using Google Maps on my phone much more convenient. It has better directions and gives better warning of traffic backups, speed traps, and road conditions ahead. Plus, I wasn't distracted looking at the monitor. Everything else works just fine through my Bluetooth connection. Just my opinion.

 

I actually keep an old iPhone SE that was not being used and use it for CarPlay. Its just sort of a PIA that I have to pair it the WiFi on my phone for it to have data. I do prefer it over nothing at all or the in-car nav.

Unfortunately, there are no great car specific phone holders made for the 2019+ ES that don't sit right in front of the car's infotainment system. The A-Tach, ProClip, and misc AliBaba direct from china ones all clip in and around the two center vents and block the screen. I have one, but you cannot see the screen well when the phone is in the holder.

I actually would pay $250 or whatever the BS fee is for them to load the downloaded zip file to the car. But really I wish some brave soul overseas where the update may exist (I'm not confident that any other markets actually have the upgrade, the articles lead you to believe there will be an upgrade but don't confirm its actually available), would put the zip file out there for consumption. If its like the Ford, Hyundai, or even the older Toyota Entune 1.0, they're not specific to the VIN of the vehicle and you just plug a USB drive with a zip into the car.

 

When using the phone for Nav, I don't really need the infotainment screen because I'm using the phone's screen. This holder fits perfectly sits directly in front of the screen. I don't even use the suction and it stays in place. The phone can easily removed when Nav isn't needed. I find that anything that clips into the vents both blocks the vents and ultimately fails under the weight of the phone. Several people have used the ones that fit into the cup holder but that's too low for my general use. When I don't need to see the screen, I just drop the phone in the built-in Lexus slot.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

My problem is where to put the phone when using navigation. Windshield mounts are annoying and distracting and that's even without having the plugged in for power. It's even worse plugged in. Same for air vent mounts which also have the added disadvantage of blocking air flow from the vents. I'd take the bunny l built in nav over Google maps on my phone just for the convenience of having it on the car's built in screen. No wires and no mounts is worth to me to not have quite as good of a nav experience.