Trying to figure out if I don't know how to use the infotainment system or if I am hitting bugs.

Problem 1.
First in Apple CarPlay, the screen is very long and not tall. I can't minimize the climate controls like I can in the native Lexus nav system. So the issue I run into is that notifications pop up and cover the main part of the navigation (see next picture.)


When I get a message in from slack, teams, webex, text etc... it covers the most important part of the navigation. This is horrible when you are at a tricky intersection and trying to figure out what way to go. Is there a way to change where notifications pop up or minimize the climate controls to give me more screen space for the notifications? Minimizing the climate controls would be great as there are other screens where these get annoying and it could benefit from a taller screen.


Problem 2.
While inside of Apple CarPlay I cant find a way to get a simple radio tuner.... I want to change the radio station (SiriusXM) but I only have access to my favorites through the steering wheel control. So, if i'm on channel 2 and I want to go to channel 34 and don't have it as a preset, the only option is to long press the steering wheel favorite button and try to get there very slowly. Also they don't put the channel number when going through the stations. So if i have to long press the favorite arrow 30 times, i have no clue where I am as it only displays the name of the station. I have to get out of google maps, hit the lexus button, then go to radio change the station and then go back to google maps. This is a huge pain. I bought the car because I am on the road every day. What good is a infotainment system if GPS and Radio cant function together. This should be the main purpose of the system.

Problem 3.
If i don't need navigation I am not typically in apple CarPlay. EVERY time i get a message on my iPhone it flips the entire screen over to apple CarPlay for a few seconds to give me the message preview. When it does this, it does not bring you back to the screen you were on. For example if i was on a SiriusXM station it would take me back to the favorites page. This is a huge issue for other stuff too. Like when trying to go through a carwash and disabling parking assist/auto braking. You go into the settings page for it, and it kicks you out to view the message, brings you back to the root setting page. Also had this issue when trying to setup other options in the car. Is there a way to disable this? So messages only pop up when I am in carPlay? Or if there is a way to get JUST the message to overlay or split the screen?

Problem 4. How do I move the blue magnifying and source button? They are blocking the presets. I have access to like 3 at a time because of the buttons. I have no idea why either one of these would be placed here. Neither of these buttons are ever used especially Sources. There is a ton of space on the top in the middle between where it says Radio and the bluetooth/clock icons. Can I move these buttons up there?


Am I using this thing wrong? Are these bugs? Bad design? Hopefully someone can help me out!

 

There is no split screen functionality (nav + radio), one of the biggest complaints with the system. There are a lot of owner complaints with the system to include the layout issues you mention, but as of yet, no updates. The Lexus software people aren't too good.

 

Plus astonishingly it was a purposeful design decision by Lexus.

 

All your points are big misses on Lexus software design. Many are asking for the same thing.

A simple Home button at least. Whoever designed this assumed everyone is going to use voice commands, but that is not the case in real world.

I miss the old buttons for home, Radio, media and tuning *****, and I consider my self to be relatively tech savvy.


My teenager feel the same way, so it's not an age thing, just BAD design.

 

Not sure it is necessarily bad design, but more like the result of a headlong rush into the touchscreen world. It is interesting to note that some car companies are backing away from full touchscreen-only controls.

 

In European version there is a bug for Android Auto, if You use only by cable it's not possible to use only bluetooth conection with the car.
If u use bluetooth then the infotaiment doesn't connect the phone thru usb cable, when U want drive some unknown place on AA ... it's poc ...

Infotaiment maybe it's new ... but it's still need to be update ...
There are many bugs, like if the infotaiment didnt' synchonised that want to write a password for Youre profile, every time ... in my case like 5 times per week ... if U choose cancel than he will ask after 10 minutes one more time ... it's not possible to us it ...

 

Agreed. Saw some quotes from a VW exec saying they were getting a LOT of feedback that people want more ***** and buttons, less screen activated jive. I'm strongly in agreement. When I'm messing with The Screen I find it mighty disingenuous of them to warn me to keep my eyes on the road. I'm acclimating, but I find dealing with my 2013 RX is quite a bit easier.

 

Its not bugs, its just terrible execution by Lexus with this infotainment. The lack of buttons, split screen and poor car play connectivity/implementation are a bit embarrassing. Everything takes another 2-3 steps extra, making driving quite dangerous compared to having actual buttons. I cant believe its legal to allow all touchscreen interface like this.

 

This annoying message has popped up on the screen randomly at boot and no matter if you press yes or no many times, it will not disappear for 1-3 minutes and takes over screen functionality.
"do you want to adjust your seat position" - definitely a bug.

Has anyone else encountered this?

 

Did you bump any of the seat position adjustment buttons while getting into the car? I believe that is what causes that.

 

Do you have a profile setup and tied to the camera or phone?