Apple CarPlay- who uses it?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm in a massive conundrum with my choice of next car, I'm an avid iPhone user and when I saw that CarPlay was being introduced into some new cars I though I'd include it on my checklist. I've narrowed my choices down to a Peugeot 308 Allure and a Vauxhall Astra SRi Nav. Having not used CarPlay I don't know exactly how much it would enhance my life. I mean, Apple maps is better than the satnav in the Peugeot because it's going to be constantly updated when new roads are introduced, new points of interests and the like. Whereas the Peugeot nav will quickly become outdated as the POI's are static, unless I get it updated frequently (however much it costs each time) it's going to stay that way. The only reason I'm considering the Peugeot is because it's efficient, comfy and extremely good value for money (spec for spec wise).
However, I don't know how you input a destination into CarPlay. Can you enter it on your phone? does a keyboard come up onscreen? Or do you have to use Siri? I find Siri to be a bit of a pain at times, I mean he understands me when I say "navigate me home" but often if I tell him to navigate to me "x street" or such and such a place, he becomes very confused and becomes all apologetic. Countiless times I've heard Siri say, "sorry, I don't know what you mean".
With regards to the music side of things, Siri is far better at understanding my requests, so with that in mind I'm sure I'll enjoy using the media interface on the Astra rather than that of the Peugeot as the screen can sometimes be quite unresponsive.
Does anyone have/use CarPlay frequently enough encourage/discourage me as to whether getting an Astra is worth the extra?
Many thanks
I'm in a massive conundrum with my choice of next car, I'm an avid iPhone user and when I saw that CarPlay was being introduced into some new cars I though I'd include it on my checklist. I've narrowed my choices down to a Peugeot 308 Allure and a Vauxhall Astra SRi Nav. Having not used CarPlay I don't know exactly how much it would enhance my life. I mean, Apple maps is better than the satnav in the Peugeot because it's going to be constantly updated when new roads are introduced, new points of interests and the like. Whereas the Peugeot nav will quickly become outdated as the POI's are static, unless I get it updated frequently (however much it costs each time) it's going to stay that way. The only reason I'm considering the Peugeot is because it's efficient, comfy and extremely good value for money (spec for spec wise).
However, I don't know how you input a destination into CarPlay. Can you enter it on your phone? does a keyboard come up onscreen? Or do you have to use Siri? I find Siri to be a bit of a pain at times, I mean he understands me when I say "navigate me home" but often if I tell him to navigate to me "x street" or such and such a place, he becomes very confused and becomes all apologetic. Countiless times I've heard Siri say, "sorry, I don't know what you mean".
With regards to the music side of things, Siri is far better at understanding my requests, so with that in mind I'm sure I'll enjoy using the media interface on the Astra rather than that of the Peugeot as the screen can sometimes be quite unresponsive.
Does anyone have/use CarPlay frequently enough encourage/discourage me as to whether getting an Astra is worth the extra?
Many thanks
I have CarPlay in my VW Golf and use it every day with my iPhone6. I'd specd it also with the idea of using it for occasional satnav as I don't buy into the £1k+ car manufacturers ask for their OEM systems and thought for £100 extra my iPhone is probably good enough. However, in my case a mid-year spec change meant I also got the VW satnav as standard.
CarPlay is particularly good for using apps like Apple Music, Podcasts and Spotify (with offline mode) on the go.
I tend to use the built-in VW Sat Nav but on the odd occasion when I have used Apple Maps, you can input destinations on-screen or with Siri. It also has live traffic and generally as a satnav isn't that bad, just not as good as the VW one.
Siri voice commands can be hit and miss especially in areas with low signal as Siri needs data to do pretty much anything including playing a song or artist in music. I've never had any issues with basic commands such as 'call home' however.
Other useful stuff is reading out messages to you but no WhatsApp integration yet.
Reminders pop up on screen so if you setup a reminder based on a location (e.g. pickup milk when arriving at home) then it will only appear as you approach your destination.
Generally the system seems very much in it's infancy but if you're planning on keeping the car a few years like I am then it makes sense to add to your car as hopefully the system will improve and more apps will become available in time.
Is it worth the extra? It only cost £100 on my Golf so depends what Peugeot / Vauxhall are asking for it, but I would imagine it will become standard along with Android Auto for most cars in the future so could also make your car more saleable in the future.
CarPlay is particularly good for using apps like Apple Music, Podcasts and Spotify (with offline mode) on the go.
I tend to use the built-in VW Sat Nav but on the odd occasion when I have used Apple Maps, you can input destinations on-screen or with Siri. It also has live traffic and generally as a satnav isn't that bad, just not as good as the VW one.
Siri voice commands can be hit and miss especially in areas with low signal as Siri needs data to do pretty much anything including playing a song or artist in music. I've never had any issues with basic commands such as 'call home' however.
Other useful stuff is reading out messages to you but no WhatsApp integration yet.
Reminders pop up on screen so if you setup a reminder based on a location (e.g. pickup milk when arriving at home) then it will only appear as you approach your destination.
Generally the system seems very much in it's infancy but if you're planning on keeping the car a few years like I am then it makes sense to add to your car as hopefully the system will improve and more apps will become available in time.
Is it worth the extra? It only cost £100 on my Golf so depends what Peugeot / Vauxhall are asking for it, but I would imagine it will become standard along with Android Auto for most cars in the future so could also make your car more saleable in the future.
If it's somewhere I've not been before and it's too complex for Siri, I tend to find it in Apple Maps before the journey then it's there in the recent list when you're plugged in. Remember it's the app running on the phone and using the stereo as an extra display, so favourites, recent destinations, addresses from contacts, etc are all there.
You can bypass the Siri thing and get to a keyboard if you prefer to type in the car.
It's better than the (older) OE systems I've used, but not sure it's a big improvement over previous cars where I've used a bracket/mount for my phone and run mapping, music, podcasts, etc off that with the audio coming over bluetooth.
You can bypass the Siri thing and get to a keyboard if you prefer to type in the car.
It's better than the (older) OE systems I've used, but not sure it's a big improvement over previous cars where I've used a bracket/mount for my phone and run mapping, music, podcasts, etc off that with the audio coming over bluetooth.
Thanks for the replies, it really helps. Especially as now I know that there is the option to use an onscreen keyboard as, like you say, the voice functionality for places you've not visited usually doesn't work. Satnav aside, I'm sure the way it handles music is much better than that of the way the manufacturers determine it should work as in already familiar with the iPhone.
Going back to maps, I read that with upcoming ios10, I. Some cars if you've got a screen where your speedo is that the next direction will show up there. Like you say, it's in its infancy, but looks set to get much better!
Thanks for your responses guys.
Going back to maps, I read that with upcoming ios10, I. Some cars if you've got a screen where your speedo is that the next direction will show up there. Like you say, it's in its infancy, but looks set to get much better!
Thanks for your responses guys.
I love CarPlay. I installed a Pioneer aftermarket unit last year. I usually hate aftermarket stuff in the car, but this is such an upgrade over the OE unit and actually looks better as well.
It is simple to use and does everything I need. The Pioneer unit has it's own OS on it as well as CarPlay, but I very much doubt I'll ever see the need to use it.
It is simple to use and does everything I need. The Pioneer unit has it's own OS on it as well as CarPlay, but I very much doubt I'll ever see the need to use it.
I got it in my new E class a couple of months ago.
I like it for the media stuff but the pisser with it is that there is no way of using carplay with the car's own nav; it's Apple maps or nothing. This is a total arse where I live as coverage is very patchy and even going over the pennines to work on the M62 you lose map coverage. It's be a lot better if the maps were downloadable like they are on Google maps
I like it for the media stuff but the pisser with it is that there is no way of using carplay with the car's own nav; it's Apple maps or nothing. This is a total arse where I live as coverage is very patchy and even going over the pennines to work on the M62 you lose map coverage. It's be a lot better if the maps were downloadable like they are on Google maps
Why the hell doesn't someone make a unit with DAB?
I think most people like the idea of CarPlay because it uses the info on their phone already and saves you having to buy a Nav unit, however, if you want DAB you have to buy the Nav units.
Pioneer Car Play with Dab for £100 more they would sell 1000s more, until we get proper 100% 3g and 4g coverage these units need DAB.
I think most people like the idea of CarPlay because it uses the info on their phone already and saves you having to buy a Nav unit, however, if you want DAB you have to buy the Nav units.
Pioneer Car Play with Dab for £100 more they would sell 1000s more, until we get proper 100% 3g and 4g coverage these units need DAB.
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