RE: CarPlay: OE versus aftermarket
Discussion
paulrockliffe said:
Exactly this!
All you need is a Car App to tweak the interface for easy (and legal?) operation and you're done. These exist on Android, though I don't know how good they are.
I don't understand why rather than spending millions developing crap systems the OEMs haven't either knocked an App up or asked Google/Apple to, then dropped a 7" tablet in the dash as a selling point. Would be cheap to do and would make their car stand apart from the other identikit cars in their class.
Programme it to open the car interface when the tablet is docked and then let Google/Apple keep all the software up to date etc.
It is coming - lots of cars have CarPlay now, a lot of them also have Android Auto as the hardware requirements are much the same. However, it hands control of the dashboard over to Apple/Google and closes off a potential revenue stream - no more £1500 for navi, then updates etc.All you need is a Car App to tweak the interface for easy (and legal?) operation and you're done. These exist on Android, though I don't know how good they are.
I don't understand why rather than spending millions developing crap systems the OEMs haven't either knocked an App up or asked Google/Apple to, then dropped a 7" tablet in the dash as a selling point. Would be cheap to do and would make their car stand apart from the other identikit cars in their class.
Programme it to open the car interface when the tablet is docked and then let Google/Apple keep all the software up to date etc.
I've had the Carplay Pioneer SPH-DA120 for over a year now and it has steadily improved as Apple have released updates - not only does it give you the iphone integration, but the onboard amps greatly improve the sound - it will also function well as a normal bluetooth phone and streaming headunit.
Siri drives me nuts though - it may be the background noise in the car, or my Lancashire accent - but it struggles sending txt messages that are in any way slightly complicated - it is as if SIri guesses what you are trying to say based on it recognising a few of the words you say - it also has attitude if I tell it to f
k off.
Fitting it into my BMW E92 was a big job - it took me two days using a connects2 kit to modify the dash and integrate with the steering wheel along with fitting a sub and amp in the boot.
Apple Maps is great, the traffic info is pretty accurate.
Streaming can be problematic, but strangely it has improved somewhat since Apple launched their own streaming music service.
All in all I like it - I would like DAB and the option to play CDs occasionally, but I can stream radio pretty well until I get out in the sticks and even at home my CDs rarely come out.
I think there may be a new version out soon which will work with both carplay and Android Auto.
Siri drives me nuts though - it may be the background noise in the car, or my Lancashire accent - but it struggles sending txt messages that are in any way slightly complicated - it is as if SIri guesses what you are trying to say based on it recognising a few of the words you say - it also has attitude if I tell it to f
k off.Fitting it into my BMW E92 was a big job - it took me two days using a connects2 kit to modify the dash and integrate with the steering wheel along with fitting a sub and amp in the boot.
Apple Maps is great, the traffic info is pretty accurate.
Streaming can be problematic, but strangely it has improved somewhat since Apple launched their own streaming music service.
All in all I like it - I would like DAB and the option to play CDs occasionally, but I can stream radio pretty well until I get out in the sticks and even at home my CDs rarely come out.
I think there may be a new version out soon which will work with both carplay and Android Auto.
Emeye said:
I've had the Carplay Pioneer SPH-DA120 for over a year now and it has steadily improved as Apple have released updates - not only does it give you the iphone integration, but the onboard amps greatly improve the sound - it will also function well as a normal bluetooth phone and streaming headunit.
Siri drives me nuts though - it may be the background noise in the car, or my Lancashire accent - but it struggles sending txt messages that are in any way slightly complicated - it is as if SIri guesses what you are trying to say based on it recognising a few of the words you say - it also has attitude if I tell it to fk off.
Fitting it into my BMW E92 was a big job - it took me two days using a connects2 kit to modify the dash and integrate with the steering wheel along with fitting a sub and amp in the boot.
Apple Maps is great, the traffic info is pretty accurate.
Streaming can be problematic, but strangely it has improved somewhat since Apple launched their own streaming music service.
All in all I like it - I would like DAB and the option to play CDs occasionally, but I can stream radio pretty well until I get out in the sticks and even at home my CDs rarely come out.
I think there may be a new version out soon which will work with both carplay and Android Auto.
One thing that google now is better at by a mile is voice to textSiri drives me nuts though - it may be the background noise in the car, or my Lancashire accent - but it struggles sending txt messages that are in any way slightly complicated - it is as if SIri guesses what you are trying to say based on it recognising a few of the words you say - it also has attitude if I tell it to f
k off.Fitting it into my BMW E92 was a big job - it took me two days using a connects2 kit to modify the dash and integrate with the steering wheel along with fitting a sub and amp in the boot.
Apple Maps is great, the traffic info is pretty accurate.
Streaming can be problematic, but strangely it has improved somewhat since Apple launched their own streaming music service.
All in all I like it - I would like DAB and the option to play CDs occasionally, but I can stream radio pretty well until I get out in the sticks and even at home my CDs rarely come out.
I think there may be a new version out soon which will work with both carplay and Android Auto.
Oh, forgot to mention - anyone having problems with a carplay cable, try using a paperclip to clean out the iphone lightning port - you will be surprised how much fluff and crap find its way up there!
Asd carplay wireless is/is due to be available but you would need a new headunit as I believe it works on wifi not bluetooth, and anyway, I like the fact my phone is charging when it is plugged in.
Asd carplay wireless is/is due to be available but you would need a new headunit as I believe it works on wifi not bluetooth, and anyway, I like the fact my phone is charging when it is plugged in.
Shiv_P said:
One thing that google now is better at by a mile is voice to text
Siri seems to do a much better job translating what I want directly into the iphone or when I'm stopped at traffic lights in the car than when moving. I can't comment on google now as not used it in the car.
kingston12 said:
I have got a 2005 Boxster S that came with the very expensive PCM option ticked. That thing must have been hideously out of date in 2005, but in 2015 when I replaced it, it was beyond a joke.
For the first few years I owned the car, I fitted a 'Dension' in the boot which allowed me to keep the OEM look and use an iPod and bluetooth phone, but it was always a hassle.
I fitted a Pioneer SPH-DA120 (with CarPlay) last year and it is a night and day difference. I had a few issues at first, but it is just leagues ahead of the PCM/Dension combination. It actually cost less than the Dension let alone the PCM. I had a 2015 Cayman on loan last year, and even the 2015 PCM is way behind!
There will always be the fact of it being non-OEM, though. I actually prefer the look of the new unit as it is all screen rather than loads of old fashioned buttons and knobs. The PCM seems to fetch good money on eBay, certainly more than I paid for the replacement unit, but the car is a long term keeper for me so I will keep it just in case the Boxster becomes rare and valuable in 25 years time!
Can you post a picture of that unit fitted? I'd like to see what that looks like in the car. I have the old unit and I am desperate to get rid of it. Did you upgrade the speakers?For the first few years I owned the car, I fitted a 'Dension' in the boot which allowed me to keep the OEM look and use an iPod and bluetooth phone, but it was always a hassle.
I fitted a Pioneer SPH-DA120 (with CarPlay) last year and it is a night and day difference. I had a few issues at first, but it is just leagues ahead of the PCM/Dension combination. It actually cost less than the Dension let alone the PCM. I had a 2015 Cayman on loan last year, and even the 2015 PCM is way behind!
There will always be the fact of it being non-OEM, though. I actually prefer the look of the new unit as it is all screen rather than loads of old fashioned buttons and knobs. The PCM seems to fetch good money on eBay, certainly more than I paid for the replacement unit, but the car is a long term keeper for me so I will keep it just in case the Boxster becomes rare and valuable in 25 years time!
LankyLegoHead said:
I desperately want DAB. All the good stations are on it (6 Music, Radio X etc). I also have Apple Music, its pretty useless. Even with full 4G It struggles to stay reliable, unless you're on Wifi. I'm lucky enough to be on Three so I get signal absolutely everywhere, but this is the UK so its pretty common that on 95% of journeys (especially around where I live in Oxfordshire) you don't have a reliable Data signal. Rendering all streaming services absolutely pointless in my eyes.
Like I said, I dont listen to the radio I just DOWNLOAD all my music from apple music to my phone then just play it from there. All the music I want to listen to on demand, over 1000 hours of music, why do I need DAB? Again as mentioned, you can pay a premium for DAB now and see it superceeded by the ever increasing internet coverage and speed in a very short space of time or just buy a head unit that is more capable of incorporating devices and sit as a happy chappy. I was at the connected car conference last year trialing BMWs up coming systems and they are pretty amazing. DAB will be dead in a couple of years and people will be paying Halfords to rip out all the unnecessary wiring from their cars ;-)
As you said, you listen to your music, many of us want more than that. Radio 5 Live is my preferred station.
Internet Radio will only work when we have 100% coverage across the whole of the UK or Europe.
I picked up a Merc with no Dab and tried to stream from my phone, but gave up after a week and added DAB. Currently internet radio simply doesn't work.
I think DAB will be dead in 4 years, but only if we get 100% coverage across the UK by then, I would hope we will get full UK coverage by early 2018, at that point we won't need DAB, but that is still 2 years away and I am not going to go without my radio for 2 years.
Emeye said:
Oh, forgot to mention - anyone having problems with a carplay cable, try using a paperclip to clean out the iphone lightning port - you will be surprised how much fluff and crap find its way up there!
No!!! Don't do that!! Use a cocktail stick or matchstick so you don't fry your phone.
Snap it first so you get loads of little spikes and it pulls all the fluff out perfectly.
paulrockliffe said:
Ug_lee said:
Am I the only one who see's the only need for a car infotainment system is for it to connect and amplify from a constantly updated media device that is our smart phones?
We change phones roughly every 2 years it can play 99% of radio channels online, spotify and the like. Also the nav apps in smartphones are about as good as any TomTom. Why pay £700 for a big box which does nothing better than our phones? More to the point why pay £1500 for an OEM option that does no more?
With that in mind my RS6 RNS-D is well out of date, but I like the integrated nature of it. Also the Bose speakers and amplifier unit are absolutely fine. So £100 on a bluetooth module that is out of sight and connecting to the phone means I now have 100Gb of music to select from, any spotify playlist and through the Iplayer app all the Radio stations I'd ever need. It also makes and receives phone calls.
Is there anything else you need from a device in the car?
Exactly this!We change phones roughly every 2 years it can play 99% of radio channels online, spotify and the like. Also the nav apps in smartphones are about as good as any TomTom. Why pay £700 for a big box which does nothing better than our phones? More to the point why pay £1500 for an OEM option that does no more?
With that in mind my RS6 RNS-D is well out of date, but I like the integrated nature of it. Also the Bose speakers and amplifier unit are absolutely fine. So £100 on a bluetooth module that is out of sight and connecting to the phone means I now have 100Gb of music to select from, any spotify playlist and through the Iplayer app all the Radio stations I'd ever need. It also makes and receives phone calls.
Is there anything else you need from a device in the car?
All you need is a Car App to tweak the interface for easy (and legal?) operation and you're done. These exist on Android, though I don't know how good they are.
I don't understand why rather than spending millions developing crap systems the OEMs haven't either knocked an App up or asked Google/Apple to, then dropped a 7" tablet in the dash as a selling point. Would be cheap to do and would make their car stand apart from the other identikit cars in their class.
Programme it to open the car interface when the tablet is docked and then let Google/Apple keep all the software up to date etc.
VanquishRider said:
Can you post a picture of that unit fitted? I'd like to see what that looks like in the car. I have the old unit and I am desperate to get rid of it. Did you upgrade the speakers?
I can't seem to post pictures from here, but I will try to upload one tonight.I decided not to replace the speakers. My car came with the Bose amp and speakers. There is the option of ripping it all out or buying a rather expensive box that adapts the output of the Pioneer to the optical input required for the Bose amp. I went for the latter for a few reasons - it worked out much cheaper, it means I can put the car back to original very quickly if I decide to sell and I think that the Bose sound is 'good enough' anyway.
[quote=PHMatt]I've had an E46 for 5 1/2 years with the Mk4 Satnav, and, as long as it's up to date (new disc in the boot for maps) it's perfect and much more convenient that having a smaller one stuck on the windscreen competing with the HK sound system (all OEM)
I think aftermarket stuff has so many problems. In my younger days I had about 2k of stuff wedged in a Clio. The speakers all used to pop regularly requiring replacement. You could never get it sounding how you wanted it, people used to want your stuff more than you did and and, worse of all, aftermarket stuff looks so chavvy!
This
http://thumbsnap.com/sc/rJcw8dy3.jpg
Still looks miles better than this
http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/abe1.JPG
With a tom tom stuck in the
How about this? Alpine iLX700 Carplay unit in a E46
https://www.facebook.com/Huetcaraudio/photos/a.592...
I think aftermarket stuff has so many problems. In my younger days I had about 2k of stuff wedged in a Clio. The speakers all used to pop regularly requiring replacement. You could never get it sounding how you wanted it, people used to want your stuff more than you did and and, worse of all, aftermarket stuff looks so chavvy!
This
http://thumbsnap.com/sc/rJcw8dy3.jpg
Still looks miles better than this
http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/abe1.JPG
With a tom tom stuck in the
How about this? Alpine iLX700 Carplay unit in a E46
https://www.facebook.com/Huetcaraudio/photos/a.592...
Huet_Car_Radio]HMatt said:
I've had an E46 for 5 1/2 years with the Mk4 Satnav, and, as long as it's up to date (new disc in the boot for maps) it's perfect and much more convenient that having a smaller one stuck on the windscreen competing with the HK sound system (all OEM)
I think aftermarket stuff has so many problems. In my younger days I had about 2k of stuff wedged in a Clio. The speakers all used to pop regularly requiring replacement. You could never get it sounding how you wanted it, people used to want your stuff more than you did and and, worse of all, aftermarket stuff looks so chavvy!
This
http://thumbsnap.com/sc/rJcw8dy3.jpg
Still looks miles better than this
http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/abe1.JPG
With a tom tom stuck in the
How about this? Alpine iLX700 Carplay unit in a E46
https://www.facebook.com/Huetcaraudio/photos/a.592...
P.S. sorry abut the poor picture, it's the only one I can find.I think aftermarket stuff has so many problems. In my younger days I had about 2k of stuff wedged in a Clio. The speakers all used to pop regularly requiring replacement. You could never get it sounding how you wanted it, people used to want your stuff more than you did and and, worse of all, aftermarket stuff looks so chavvy!
This
http://thumbsnap.com/sc/rJcw8dy3.jpg
Still looks miles better than this
http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/abe1.JPG
With a tom tom stuck in the
How about this? Alpine iLX700 Carplay unit in a E46
https://www.facebook.com/Huetcaraudio/photos/a.592...
gizlaroc said:
Quick search on google says yeah.
Looks neat too...
Which goes to show that one man's "neat" is another mans "bloody awful" Looks neat too...
ETA: Not too sure how that deals with the display for the climate control, which comes up on the radio display normally. There is a company making custom systems for the V50/S40/C30/C70 range that has just started shipping - you take out a PCB from the old system and reuse it to overlay the climate control images onto the new head unit I believe.
That looks s
t too.http://www.bluepower.se/en/product/audio-video/car...
Edited by dme123 on Thursday 14th January 16:54
gizlaroc said:
Emeye said:
Oh, forgot to mention - anyone having problems with a carplay cable, try using a paperclip to clean out the iphone lightning port - you will be surprised how much fluff and crap find its way up there!
No!!! Don't do that!! Use a cocktail stick or matchstick so you don't fry your phone.
Snap it first so you get loads of little spikes and it pulls all the fluff out perfectly.
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