Bad News for 2013 owners and Lexus Enform Updates
08-05-13, 05:14 AM
#17
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Someone asked how I obtained information when I started this post. Lexus Technology Department through Customer Service informed me on Saturday, August 3, 2013 when I came home from Lexus of Cherry Hill in NJ that our 4G Navigation cannot be updated to handle the free weather, traffic, sports and stocks updates as a free subscription. Also, I was informed that the new abiltiy to use Siri to respond to text messages and emails done through the Off-Hook switch on our steering wheel by voice command beyond Bluetooth and keep our eyes on the road as Siri reads our texts and emails as well as respond to them would not be possible on the 2013 4G. This is Crazy as our system is only one year old and has firmware and software that could be updated like the 3d maps someone mentioned. I have not given up and my Lexus dealer cannot believe this is happening. Any other advise???
08-05-13, 06:42 AM
#18
Lexus Champion
Someone asked how I obtained information when I started this post. Lexus Technology Department through Customer Service informed me on Saturday, August 3, 2013 when I came home from Lexus of Cherry Hill in NJ that our 4G Navigation cannot be updated to handle the free weather, traffic, sports and stocks updates as a free subscription. Also, I was informed that the new abiltiy to use Siri to respond to text messages and emails done through the Off-Hook switch on our steering wheel by voice command beyond Bluetooth and keep our eyes on the road as Siri reads our texts and emails as well as respond to them would not be possible on the 2013 4G. This is Crazy as our system is only one year old and has firmware and software that could be updated like the 3d maps someone mentioned. I have not given up and my Lexus dealer cannot believe this is happening. Any other advise???
08-05-13, 07:03 AM
#19
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Toyota doesn't seem interested in updating the software of its in-car systems. For all the complaints concerning the MyFord Touch system, Ford will be releasing another software revision and updated navigation maps (for the second time), free of charge for all owners of vehicles equipped with MyFord Touch. Ford has been updating the system since the 2011 model year.
It's a shame that paying nearly $60,000 for a Toyota product gives you inferior software service and support versus a $17,000 Ford Fiesta.
It's a shame that paying nearly $60,000 for a Toyota product gives you inferior software service and support versus a $17,000 Ford Fiesta.
08-05-13, 07:10 AM
#20
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This is the nature of the world we live in. Technological progress happens all the time, and backwards compatibility is becoming less and less of a consideration from the manufacturers, doesn't matter if it's a car or a gaming console.
As a consumer, part of your "responsibility" (to yourself) is to make the best decision you can at a given time, KNOWING that your purchase will be outdated or superseded, whether it's a week from now or a year from now. You have to be at peace with that.
Does it suck? Sure, but it's reality. I don't really understand the sense of entitlement, I mean that's why I personally don't buy cars in their first model year. Those early adopters are pretty much beta testers...improvement will ALWAYS be made in the subsequent years.
As a consumer, part of your "responsibility" (to yourself) is to make the best decision you can at a given time, KNOWING that your purchase will be outdated or superseded, whether it's a week from now or a year from now. You have to be at peace with that.
Does it suck? Sure, but it's reality. I don't really understand the sense of entitlement, I mean that's why I personally don't buy cars in their first model year. Those early adopters are pretty much beta testers...improvement will ALWAYS be made in the subsequent years.
08-05-13, 07:26 AM
#21
Meh. None of this means anything to me. If I had a choice, I wouldn't even buy the Navigation or Enform. Cool factor but has minimal use for me.
08-05-13, 11:10 AM
#22
08-05-13, 06:43 PM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
Doesn't surprise me or upset me.
There will always be another option down the line, you can't expect Lexus to make their upgrades reverse compatible and available to previous model years...nobody else does that.
Could I have waited? Sure...but then I wouldn't have enjoyed my awesome GS for the past 8 months...
There will always be another option down the line, you can't expect Lexus to make their upgrades reverse compatible and available to previous model years...nobody else does that.
Could I have waited? Sure...but then I wouldn't have enjoyed my awesome GS for the past 8 months...
08-05-13, 08:36 PM
#25
Here's the brief description of Siri for the 2014 model:
Mobile Assistant
(1) Apple's Siri Eyes Free Mode can be used with a compatible Apple device connected to the HDD navigation system or Lexus display audio system via Bluetooth.
(2) By pressing and holding the off hook switch on the steering wheel, the user can ask Siri questions without taking their eyes off the road. To minimize distraction, the device's screen will not light up. With the Eyes Free feature, users can ask Siri to call contacts, select and play music, hear and compose text messages, use Maps and get directions, read notifications, find calendar information, add reminders, and more.
(3) When the Mobile Assistant function is used to call a contact or listen to music stored on the user's device, the system will automatically transition to the phone call or audio screen.
HINT:
Some Siri features are limited in Eyes Free Mode. If the user attempts to use an unavailable function, Siri will inform the user that the function is not available.
As the matter of fact, it seems not all 2014 is getting this function, looks like at least GX and IS is not getting this.
Mobile Assistant
(1) Apple's Siri Eyes Free Mode can be used with a compatible Apple device connected to the HDD navigation system or Lexus display audio system via Bluetooth.
(2) By pressing and holding the off hook switch on the steering wheel, the user can ask Siri questions without taking their eyes off the road. To minimize distraction, the device's screen will not light up. With the Eyes Free feature, users can ask Siri to call contacts, select and play music, hear and compose text messages, use Maps and get directions, read notifications, find calendar information, add reminders, and more.
(3) When the Mobile Assistant function is used to call a contact or listen to music stored on the user's device, the system will automatically transition to the phone call or audio screen.
HINT:
Some Siri features are limited in Eyes Free Mode. If the user attempts to use an unavailable function, Siri will inform the user that the function is not available.
As the matter of fact, it seems not all 2014 is getting this function, looks like at least GX and IS is not getting this.
Last edited by e39ng; 08-05-13 at 08:57 PM.
08-05-13, 09:04 PM
#26
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Dump enform a install a 3rd party product. That's probably the way I'll go, as I plan to keep the car. For software, I'd rather buy from a company that knows how to make good software.
08-05-13, 09:27 PM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
08-06-13, 04:01 AM
#29
I am really hoping Vais (http://www.vaistech.com/site/home.php) will be releasing something for our cars soon.
I'd much rather use my smartphone than Enform.
I'd much rather use my smartphone than Enform.
08-06-13, 06:29 AM
#30
And I wouldn't go as far as saying the Nav and Enform sucks. They work, and works well for me when I use it. I speak and address, search for songs, ...etc and it has always worked for me. I could do without all the confirmations though. I just don't have much use for a dedicated Nav. Enform, I have no use for at all.