Android Auto Coming Oct 2019 Production
11-08-19, 03:01 PM
#46
Lead Lap
LEXUS AUSTRALIA
Lexus has rolled out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across its line-up, but existing owners haven't been left in the cold.
The ES mid-sized sedan and RX SUV were the first two models to get the technology in October, while the mid-sized NX SUV, range-topping LS sedan, and the RC and LC coupe line-ups have been outfitted with the system since November 1.
Finally, all UX SUVs sold from December 1 onwards will have the technology. The BMW 3 Series-rivalling IS sedan misses out though, for now.
Owners of the following models are eligible to have the technology retrofitted to their cars – it costs $249, and the work takes around an hour to complete:
Lexus has rolled out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across its line-up, but existing owners haven't been left in the cold.
The ES mid-sized sedan and RX SUV were the first two models to get the technology in October, while the mid-sized NX SUV, range-topping LS sedan, and the RC and LC coupe line-ups have been outfitted with the system since November 1.
Finally, all UX SUVs sold from December 1 onwards will have the technology. The BMW 3 Series-rivalling IS sedan misses out though, for now.
Owners of the following models are eligible to have the technology retrofitted to their cars – it costs $249, and the work takes around an hour to complete:
- NX produced from September 1, 2017
- ES produced from July 4, 2018
- RC/RC F produced from November 27, 2017
- LC (all models)
- LS produced from January 8, 2018
- UX (all models)
11-08-19, 07:10 PM
#47
Pole Position
11-10-19, 12:02 PM
#48
However, in February Lexus announced that the 2020 ES(which is the same Gen 7 as the 2019) would get Android Auto. Given the fact that the ES had just had a redesign it seemed likely that the infotainment hardware would be the same. In early March I went into the dealership to check on the progress of my car and while I was there I asked if the 2019 ES would get an update and I was told it would. So technically when I actually made the purchase of my 2019 ES I was under the impression that it WOULD eventually get Android Auto. Up until then I could have cancelled my order at not cost. If I had known I would only have to wait another 6 months to order a car that had Android Auto I likely would have done it. I'm going to be pretty pissed if I was lied to.
After reading that link to the Spain Lexus site (thanks to Google Translate) I'm more hopeful now. It's no guarantee that the same will happen in the USA but at least it confirms that there are no technical reasons why it can't be done. Not doing so just makes Lexus look bad.
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bc6152 (11-10-19)
11-10-19, 12:19 PM
#49
After reading that link to the Spain Lexus site (thanks to Google Translate) I'm more hopeful now.
It's no guarantee that the same will happen in the USA
11-10-19, 12:30 PM
#50
Lead Lap
Unfortunately, you can't trust anything a car dealer tells you. In particular, when you ask a question like that, they will always avoid an answer that might make you shy away from an essentially done deal. You need to understand what their objective is when asked such a question. The truth is that he had no special knowledge of the answer, he was just doing his job -- keeping you sold.
And Australia, too.
That's right. I'll believe it when Lexus USA announces it. Not before.
And Australia, too.
That's right. I'll believe it when Lexus USA announces it. Not before.
So true...They'll tell you anything they think you want to hear...
11-10-19, 12:53 PM
#51
[QUOTE=DavidZ;10655533]Unfortunately, you can't trust anything a car dealer tells you. In particular, when you ask a question like that, they will always avoid an answer that might make you shy away from an essentially done deal. You need to understand what their objective is when asked such a question. The truth is that he had no special knowledge of the answer, he was just doing his job -- keeping you sold.
That's a good point. Although when I asked I did make it clear that it was just a curiosity and not something that was going to impact purchasing the car which I had already ordered even before Lexus announced that Android Auto was coming. Also, the first two people I asked couldn't even give me an answer since they didn't know. They had to get the tech specialist guy to come over. You could still be right. It just gave me a little bit more confidence than if I was asking before even deciding to by the car and if the first person I had asked had just said "yes" off the top of their head without even checking.
I emailed Lexus about it yesterday and I'm waiting for a response. If the answer is no then maybe they will change that if enough people complain. Before I decided on a Lexus I was looking at a 2018 Camry and you could only get built in navigation on the XSE V6 but not the XLE. Enough people complained and the 2019 XLE did have the option. That was a hardware limitation so they couldn't update existing cars but it shows that sometimes they do listen. Now that it's clear that it is just a software difference there is no excuse.
That's a good point. Although when I asked I did make it clear that it was just a curiosity and not something that was going to impact purchasing the car which I had already ordered even before Lexus announced that Android Auto was coming. Also, the first two people I asked couldn't even give me an answer since they didn't know. They had to get the tech specialist guy to come over. You could still be right. It just gave me a little bit more confidence than if I was asking before even deciding to by the car and if the first person I had asked had just said "yes" off the top of their head without even checking.
That's right. I'll believe it when Lexus USA announces it. Not before.
11-10-19, 06:54 PM
#52
I asked Lexus Canada about AA and stereo amp replacement, and they gave me the same answer - NO, but thanks for letting us know thats a feature that lexus customers desire......... like they didnt know before.
12-23-19, 07:39 AM
#53
12-23-19, 08:20 AM
#54
12-23-19, 03:55 PM
#56
I got the iPhone on Amazon for $180 and it came with a 3 month free trial for mint mobile. When the trial was over, I signed up for a $7/month Tello plan that gives me 1 GB/month and 100 minutes/month. I added the 100 minutes for $1/month because it's nice to be able to make an occasional call from my car when I'm driving somewhere. It's more convenient than pulling out my Android phone.
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AnthonyMJ (12-25-19)
12-26-19, 12:23 AM
#57
I'm an Android phone user, too, but am using an iPhone just to have Apple CarPlay available to me. I bought a used iPhone from a friend who wanted to replace his phone with an iPhone 11 Pro. My cellular service is through Xfinity Mobile and there was no charge to add the iPhone as a second line on my account. Xfinity/Comcast cable TV and/or internet subscribers get cellular talk and SMS message service free, paying only for mobile data at $12/month for 1 GB or $30/month for 3 GB -- and both phones draw on that $12 per month --- just the one account. Quite a deal. Xfinity Mobile uses the Verizon network, but saves users tons of money in comparison with Verizon monthly rates.
Of course I'll forget Apple CarPlay and move to Android Auto if/when it becomes available on my 2019 ES 350 UL (with factory navigation and Mark Levinson sound). Meanwhile, I am able to use Google Maps for navigation on my 12.3-inch display through Apple CarPlay -- and it's FAR SUPERIOR to Lexus Navigation. Following local routes I know well, Lexus Nav sent me way out of the way and ultimately corrected itself as I approached my destination, and after several of those trials, I was convinced to do what it takes to get to Google Maps, which I have used successfully for years.
Sharing this information in case it is useful to other Android cell phone users. I'm not holding my breath for a software and/or hardware retrofit to bring Android Auto to my car, although I think with enough pressure from owners like me, and enough publicity around the issue, Lexus may get off the dime and do it. If they can do it in Australia and elsewhere in the world, they can do it in the USA.
Of course I'll forget Apple CarPlay and move to Android Auto if/when it becomes available on my 2019 ES 350 UL (with factory navigation and Mark Levinson sound). Meanwhile, I am able to use Google Maps for navigation on my 12.3-inch display through Apple CarPlay -- and it's FAR SUPERIOR to Lexus Navigation. Following local routes I know well, Lexus Nav sent me way out of the way and ultimately corrected itself as I approached my destination, and after several of those trials, I was convinced to do what it takes to get to Google Maps, which I have used successfully for years.
Sharing this information in case it is useful to other Android cell phone users. I'm not holding my breath for a software and/or hardware retrofit to bring Android Auto to my car, although I think with enough pressure from owners like me, and enough publicity around the issue, Lexus may get off the dime and do it. If they can do it in Australia and elsewhere in the world, they can do it in the USA.
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AnthonyMJ (12-26-19)
12-26-19, 06:05 AM
#59
Lead Lap
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Ken7 (12-26-19)
12-26-19, 10:31 AM
#60
Who knows how long it will be before Lexus makes a retrofit available for 2019s or if they will at all? Why wait and hope when you can have it now relatively inexpensively?
Of course I'll forget Apple CarPlay and move to Android Auto if/when it becomes available on my 2019 ES 350 UL (with factory navigation and Mark Levinson sound).
Meanwhile, I am able to use Google Maps for navigation on my 12.3-inch display through Apple CarPlay -- and it's FAR SUPERIOR to Lexus Navigation. Following local routes I know well, Lexus Nav sent me way out of the way and ultimately corrected itself as I approached my destination, and after several of those trials, I was convinced to do what it takes to get to Google Maps, which I have used successfully for years.