Entune + Pandora = frustration

Just FYI, you wont need to worry about the linking pains for much longer. It's basically a glorified touchscreen now. Not sure why Toyota didn't just go with CarPlay. Car manufacturers trying to keep up with mobile technology is backward thinking. Let the mobile phone companies do it for you. They have already proven they are better at it with navigation...

"Dear Toyota Owner,

Thank you for being a Toyota Entune™ App Suite customer.

As technology and markets change, third-party application providers continuously evolve their products and services. On November 13th, 2018, a multimedia system update will appear on your vehicle display. After completion, Pandora®, OpenTable®, and Facebook Places will no longer be available in Entune™ App Suite, as these products and services will no longer be supported by the third-party application providers.

In your Toyota, you can still enjoy Pandora and other popular music applications via Bluetooth or USB connection. For your device's compatibility and pairing instruction, please visit Toyota.com/entune.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions, please contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 Monday - Friday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, or Saturday 7:00 am to 4:30 pm Central Time.

Sincerely,

Toyota Entune Customer Support"

 

What will the update consist of then?

 

It is going to consist of a downgrade or revert.
Kind of an oxymoron isn't it?

 

Soooo those of us that "paid extra" for the upgraded head-unit, is now the same as the base model (exception is the nav of course)?

 

I could care less about this touch screen app crap.. At least I got knobs to turn lol

 

I actually enjoy having the Pandora app right on the screen. Too bad it's going away.

 

In case you haven't seen it yet, this is Toyota's matrixed list of shame for incompatibility


https://www.toyota.com/content/entune/responsive/pdf/EntunePhoneCompatibilityList.pdf

 

I wonder if the update will be forced?

 

So disappointing and ridiculous. As a user of Pandora for many years - I was looking forward to having this in my new truck. The Entune Ap is ridiculous. Such a colossal disappointment. I traded in a 2011 Infiniti with a FAR BETTER system. Toyota is rolling out Apple Car Play in the new Avalon - heard a commercial today. They need to upgrade all Toyota customers. Not downgrade.

 

I agree, but sadly, if they to add ApplePlay in the Tacoma, it will be for new model years only, forcing your hand at a trade-in for those who really want it.

 

Time to trade in for F150/Silverado, I suppose.

 

So, apparently as they have been unable to fix the issue, they're just going to remove the most popular music app from e-tune.

Brilliant Toyota....Brilliant.

Sounds like they may be keeping Slacker radio. Since that actually worked. Tried the switch once, wasn't happy with it, and went back to Pandora, so that's not a huge help.

 

Think I found out why Pandora is leaving Entune.
It appears Serius XM has bought Pandora for 3.5 billion dollars.
I guess they are going to try and gobble up all of the free music services so we have to go satellite.

 

SiriusXM just bought Pandora yesterday. That would be great if they somehow combined them. But it probably won't work out that way.

 

Whats even more annoying is what was stated in the email from Toyota.
"While these icons will remain on your vehicle display, these products and services will no longer be supported by the third-party application providers. If you select these icons on your vehicle display, you will be prompted with an error message."
Toyota can't even clean up the mess they left behind?

 

My plan is to simply not update anything. That should keep pandora working for a few years until they eventually drop service for the version currently installed on my phone.

 

That was my thought as well, but it sounds like this is going to be a forced update without any manual intervention or prompts. Was hoping there is a smart developer on the forums somewhere that could somehow hack the system to block any future updates and keep the current system version. Some of us actually have no problems with Entunes and the apps, and have a flawless experience in their trucks. I dont pay for any monthly streaming services and really appreciate being able to use the Pandora/Entunes app with NO commercials for free on their daily commutes.

in fact although I am cheapskate (as i said i dont pay for monthly subscriptions) I would be willing to pay for hack/or mod to keep the current System as is currently...and I bet there are others here that would do likewise.

 

Yes, They should remove the icons...

On the other hand, now.... when I have a passenger flip thru the icons and tap one, then ask about the error, I have an easy in to explain how Toyota dropped the ball with the entune system.

 

Pandora app on Entune rarely works for me anyhow, so I just stream.

What does anyone use Entune for? It's completely useless. I occasionally check out the weather map. That's it. Stocks app is garbage, fuel app is almost always incorrect, the navigation sucks....hard to believe this system is placed in modern vehicles.