Do the dealerships charge for an Entune Plus software update?

Folks ... I am new here and apoligise if I am posting something that has already been covered. First I am not associated with anybody ... just a Tacoma owner that has been trying to figure this thing out .... my best shot at this is below ....
.... there is lots of software used in this system/s. It has been developed by individuals and corporations that are all brought together with the various Software and Hardware that makes up and enables the integrated Package that Toyota calls the Entune® App Suite. I was surprised with my 2015 Limited Tacoma (Premium JBL) that there was no outside temp display so my mission was to try and understand the Entune system under the covers to see if I could use the Head Unit to display OBDII data (I wanted actual temp) as the Entune set of Apps is not available in Canada (although it is capable, it is not approved for use).
Through this process I have found (for my model..Panasonic Radio (Head Unit) Model CQ-XT14E3F*X, Radio – Panel ID = 510077 ) that the internal workings are similar to any other computer/home entertainment system you may be familiar with .... it has a;
1) set of HW components that are model specific ... Display, Audio, XM, DSP (Digital Sound Processing), Navigation. My model includes HW components from,
a)Panasonic.. Display, Head Unit, Receiver Assembly, Navigation Module, Blutooth, USB and Aux connections
b)Pioneer.. XM Radio Module
c)Harman International .. DSP AMP
d) JBL ... Speakers and Subwoofer
2) Systems Software that includes the Operating System (Software by QNX (subsidiary of Blackberry) QNX Neutrino RTOS all written in Java language)
3) Main/User Applications... like Audio, Navigation (Navtech Maps), Bluetooth enabling software
4) Supporting/User Applications .... like Entune Application Suite, Gracenote etc.

The OS is updated by USB obtained through Toyota parts as a part number thumb drive (or your dealer or refurbish companies in the US (Rochester, NY I think)
Maps are updated via the SD Card replacement through Toyota parts as well
Entune App Suite is updated via use of your Mobile Phone acting as the port to the Web downloading from the Toyota Site and installed/updating SW for Apps to your Unit via usb or bluetooth.

As a side note ... the HW Unit is in fact connected to the OBDII Data Bus which communicates with the 6-7+ Controllers in the vehicle that monitors lots of functions and as such could use this data to display telemetrics information on the Head Unit ... which is sadly missing from my Tacoma at this time (avg fuel economy, mile to empty tank, outside temp or even diagnostic codes etc.). So ... can it be done ? ....sure can and it is already likely been developed and ready to go... (caveat below). As a matter of fact the the canbus and controllers holds enough info that in the event of an accident the police (some do in Canada) could extract info from the OBDII connection that gives data like a Black Box in a Aircraft ... speed/location... the status of brakes, airbags, critical systems etc etc .

One more tid bit ...... Why don't we get teh new whizzy stuuf in teh market on our in Car system ?.. What Apps are allowed on the system is very tightly regulated in most Countries either as a law or a volentary measure as manufacturers and the Laws try to handle the "Driver Distraction" issue ... the technology and the Companies that build them are exploding both in Vehicle Infotainment but also Telemetrics and it's use so much that the country specific regulating bodies are backlogged.

Hope this provides some value and although I tried to be as accurate as possible, I may be offside on some and are happy to be corrected.

 

There is a group buy going on right now for the UltraGauge. That might solve some of your issues without bricking your Head Unit.

 

Bricking is not something I would like to try for a number of reasons. My hope was that we would see either an update or a paid app made available that would display this info. I have not been able to find anything and certainly UltraGauge is also my first choice as an alternative. I will search the forum for the group buy info.

For the member asking about software updates .... I do not have confirmation on new release of the OS upgrade but I do know that there were upgrades (actually updates) previously that were provided by Toyota for free in the form of a part numbered thumb drive. I would suspect that we would see a "free" change if the OS software was seen as defective in some form. I would doubt it would be free if it was a new set of features that gets enabled. You never know though as most of the OS providers Microsoft, Apple, Android seem to be providing free upgrades for the capability to broaden the pay services they can offer you. Whether this will happen in Automotive is something I can only guess at.

 

Here is mine for my 2015.

 

I don't ever worry about keeping entune up to date.










... because my fully loaded Canadian version Tacoma never came with it lol

 

At dealership now. They are updating my 2.1 version to 5.0. I am here because my Bluetooth stopped working. The Bluetooth was grayed out on the screen.

 

Went to the dealership. They did the update for free, although the only mnemonic that changed was the audio module. And none of the glitches were fixed. So guess that's, that.

 

Many have suggested this method but it is only compatible Entune Audio Premium (App Suite) units. It will not support Entune Plus or the Entune Basic unit. I already checked this.

 

https://securedp.toyota.com/download-app/toyotaHeadUnits

 

Thanks.

Note this only works with Entune App Suite compatible HUs and I also believe the download is the 2014 TSB update?

At the time of the op I had only Entune Plus. Have since upgraded to an OEM 2015 Nav Unit. The registered VIN seems to be the key to accessing all of the Entune features and apps.

next task is to figure out if the SD card map update is plug and play.....