3 ms·

Looks like a lot of discussion here is about housing, but the CR report suggests that most of the issues are with the infotainment systems in cars. And that in

Looks like a lot of discussion here is about housing, but the CR report suggests that most of the issues are with the infotainment systems in cars. And that includes Tesla. I assume that the ecosystem is big enough to create a 3rd player that’s better than android auto or iOS and better suited for cars specifically.

blaser-waffle 7y ago
Maybe it's just me but the infotainment systems in cars, despite being more complex, aren't really better in any meaningful way compared to my 2007 Mazda 3 (RIP). I've got a new car with a touchscreen but it's more of a PITA then hooking up an MP3 player via the aux audio.
- ranger207 7y ago
  I have an older car. I replaced the head unit with one that supports Bluetooth, and it stays on Bluetooth 24/7. I have a suction cup mount for my phone which runs GPS. That's all I need. I dread having to buy a car made in the past decade or so, purely because of way-too-intrusive infotainment systems.
  - charwalker 7y ago
    What you describe is what I did to my older Outback a few years ago, replaced the aftermarket non BT stereo my older brother had in it with BT. The swap wasn't too bad and It's been working great since then. I just got a recent year Mazda3 that came with the free (from Mazda) upgrade to Android Auto/Apple Carplay. I'm and Android guy so can't speak to Carplay but the basic functions provided by AA like music/podcast playback, navigation, and overall interface are solid even without a touch screen. In fact, I'd say the lack of touch screen is a perk as I'm not reaching out to tap something vs using the console/cup holder area interface that I picked up quickly and like (other than a so far not re-mapable star/favorites button that only goes to the Mazda audio favorites list outside of AA). It's less distracting than a mounted phone, has a bigger screen for navigation, and works really well for me. I don't think Id buy a newer car without either a basic BT stereo setup or full blown AA. That being said, I have the trade off now of requiring a cable for AA to work otherwise I'm only on the built in BT infotainment (which I still find way better than the Toyota Corolla interface I tested out recently). I'm still used to leaving my phone in my pocket or jacket so I have to remember to pull it out and often end up leaving it plugged in and walking away (the spot where it sits is well hidden so not too worried about theft in my location). According to forums, it is possible to hook my phone to AA setup via wifi and project wirelessly with some lag which I am interested in setting up but I think I need to update the software in my unit before it can make the wifi connection. I'm really liking the AA setup in this car. It's pretty intuitive, easy to set up and control, and feels safer than another setup with the caveat that it needs a cable. Good news is it keeps the phone charged up (the Toyota Corolla USB didn't provide enough power to charge my phone, for some reason). I would recommend it.
basch 7y ago
Ive increasingly been disappointed that there arent better infotainment roundups, or some kind of constantly updating dashboard of comparison. To your point though, FCA might have something pretty similar to that 3rd party player. Their Uconnect 4 drops into a pretty wide variety of brands they own, I dont know if any car company still makes as many skus and variants as FCA does. Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat,Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, and Ram Trucks, with Peugeot and Citroën coming. FCAs infotainment system consistently ranks highly in multiple roundups. Overall, European companies rank much higher than Japanese ones. https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/car-infotainment-system-automotive-tech-guide-2018/ https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/car-infotainment-system-a... https://www.consumerreports.org/automotive-technology/choose-an-infotainment-system-you-will-love/ https://www.consumerreports.org/automotive-technology/choose...
- _s 7y ago
  VW are also rolling out the same "Virtual Cockpit" display, just skinned differently across Skoda, Seat, VW, Audi, Porsche, Lambourghini, Bentley, Bugatti :)
thrower123 7y ago
I'm a luddite when it comes to vehicles, but I've already made up my mind that I'm not interested in ever purchasing a vehicle with a touchscreen interface. Big, tactile knobs and buttons are far more reliable, and you can operate them by feel, without having to take your eyes off the road. Some of the newer vehicles I've had the misfortune of driving require three of four clicks to turn on the air conditioning.

blaser-waffle 7y ago

Maybe it's just me but the infotainment systems in cars, despite being more complex, aren't really better in any meaningful way compared to my 2007 Mazda 3 (RIP). I've got a new car with a touchscreen but it's more of a PITA then hooking up an MP3 player via the aux audio.

ranger207 7y ago
I have an older car. I replaced the head unit with one that supports Bluetooth, and it stays on Bluetooth 24/7. I have a suction cup mount for my phone which runs GPS. That's all I need. I dread having to buy a car made in the past decade or so, purely because of way-too-intrusive infotainment systems.
- charwalker 7y ago
  What you describe is what I did to my older Outback a few years ago, replaced the aftermarket non BT stereo my older brother had in it with BT. The swap wasn't too bad and It's been working great since then. I just got a recent year Mazda3 that came with the free (from Mazda) upgrade to Android Auto/Apple Carplay. I'm and Android guy so can't speak to Carplay but the basic functions provided by AA like music/podcast playback, navigation, and overall interface are solid even without a touch screen. In fact, I'd say the lack of touch screen is a perk as I'm not reaching out to tap something vs using the console/cup holder area interface that I picked up quickly and like (other than a so far not re-mapable star/favorites button that only goes to the Mazda audio favorites list outside of AA). It's less distracting than a mounted phone, has a bigger screen for navigation, and works really well for me. I don't think Id buy a newer car without either a basic BT stereo setup or full blown AA. That being said, I have the trade off now of requiring a cable for AA to work otherwise I'm only on the built in BT infotainment (which I still find way better than the Toyota Corolla interface I tested out recently). I'm still used to leaving my phone in my pocket or jacket so I have to remember to pull it out and often end up leaving it plugged in and walking away (the spot where it sits is well hidden so not too worried about theft in my location). According to forums, it is possible to hook my phone to AA setup via wifi and project wirelessly with some lag which I am interested in setting up but I think I need to update the software in my unit before it can make the wifi connection. I'm really liking the AA setup in this car. It's pretty intuitive, easy to set up and control, and feels safer than another setup with the caveat that it needs a cable. Good news is it keeps the phone charged up (the Toyota Corolla USB didn't provide enough power to charge my phone, for some reason). I would recommend it.

basch 7y ago

Ive increasingly been disappointed that there arent better infotainment roundups, or some kind of constantly updating dashboard of comparison. To your point though, FCA might have something pretty similar to that 3rd party player. Their Uconnect 4 drops into a pretty wide variety of brands they own, I dont know if any car company still makes as many skus and variants as FCA does. Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat,Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, and Ram Trucks, with Peugeot and Citroën coming. FCAs infotainment system consistently ranks highly in multiple roundups. Overall, European companies rank much higher than Japanese ones. https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/car-infotainment-system-automotive-tech-guide-2018/ https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/car-infotainment-system-a... https://www.consumerreports.org/automotive-technology/choose-an-infotainment-system-you-will-love/ https://www.consumerreports.org/automotive-technology/choose...

_s 7y ago
VW are also rolling out the same "Virtual Cockpit" display, just skinned differently across Skoda, Seat, VW, Audi, Porsche, Lambourghini, Bentley, Bugatti :)

thrower123 7y ago

I'm a luddite when it comes to vehicles, but I've already made up my mind that I'm not interested in ever purchasing a vehicle with a touchscreen interface. Big, tactile knobs and buttons are far more reliable, and you can operate them by feel, without having to take your eyes off the road. Some of the newer vehicles I've had the misfortune of driving require three of four clicks to turn on the air conditioning.