2022 Radio Questions

Didn’t think about searching for a dongle for wireless carplay. Great idea! Works well? What brand did you get? That would definitely make the everything a little convenient.

 

I'm probably of the minority here, but I really like the infotainment in my truck. It's a 2022, I just bought it. I've also never had a vehicle newer than 2004. My last vehicle I had to add a Pioneer H/U to get Android auto.

The salesman who was walking me through the truck wad having a laugh because I was excited over functioning dome lights, express windows, the powered rear slider... oh, and the MID.

Back on topic.. I see mention of wireless dongles for CarPlay.. is there such a thing for Android Auto? Be nice to just utilize the fancy charge pad and not have a cable coming out of the dash.

 

I've owned other brands with more impressive technology, high res screens, etc. It's just more junk to break, I am perfectly happy if my reverse camera isn't 4k. I do wish Android Auto was wireless, but AA has everything I need in terms of navigation, music, etc. If I want to check the weather I'll check my phone. Not once ever have I considered downloading an app for my truck lol.

If you think Toyota needs to step up their tech - this is just more cost that will be passed on to the consumer. I'd rather have a reliable platform as affordably as possible that does what I need, rather than more expensive crap and features that I likely won't use or that will more than likely break.

 

This^
Wireless CarPlay would be nice but I love the matte screen and simplicity of the infotainment. The microphone sucks from what I am told but I’ve never heard a really great car microphone. That’s where AirPods come into play.

 

Agreed.

I do not think the interior mic is bad at all. It's much better than the one that came with the NEX H/U I had it my last car. Remember, I don't really have much experience with factory Mics. Never had a car with one until I bought the Taco.

 

I don't think there is a way to get a built in NAV software unless you bought the tech package. that's what you have Apple carplay/Android auto for. and it's better than those systems that the maps become outdated like that stock DVD based system my 2006 Jeep had. they wanted $149 every year for updated maps. I'm sure at some point that Toyota wants some coin for updates too no matter how they deliver them.

I have a Carsifi wireless android auto thing coming from a kick starter sometime this month. I'm hoping that will help make it easier to use.
for maps I just use Google maps and if I might be going to an area with questionable cellular data service I download the offline map data for the area in google maps so it's available to me if I lose connection the the internet. The maps are also kept current and can be updated.

 

I feel the same coming from 19 and now 22. I
lost HD radio and FM cache to pause and rewind.

 

similar. CarPlay works great with a Hondo mount (or choose your own dash mount), and plugging in is pretty neat to me!

Remote start works too (3 lock presses, 3rd long lock press). It’s just enough tech to be comfortable; I mean I didn’t get a Benz.

 

EXACTLY! I totally abuse that remote start thing. And love the fuel economy graphs on the home page. Bar graphs are cool right??

 

I can see both sides of the coin... from a guy whose first car (78 Buick) had a Delco AM/FM MTR with cassette player with 5+5 mechanical presets, a big-ass fuel gage, and idiot lights, to his present ride which is essentially a smart phone attached to wheels, I wonder how much technological improvements have added to distractive driving / unnecessary accidents because TMI is on display...

I find it very easy to get distracted... but I do like all the information that is at my fingertips.

 

I bought a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, mostly for the Android Auto to use with my truck. And I gave it what I considered to be a fair tryout. It worked OK. Meh. Too much bother. I went back to my simple flip phone (for calls) and a large map book (for directions). That's all I need, and it "declutters" my life.

 

I have an old-school Frankenstein 5th Gen video iPod whose battery I replaced, and who hard drive was swapped out with SD cards... It provides me with all the music I need, and is controllable from the factory head unit via USB. I leave it in the center console.

 

Nothing wrong with that. That's how we used to get around with maps before all this new tech. I think a lot of people that can't use a map and don't know what the world was like before the internet and mobile data would have a really hard time with life if all this came crashing down one day.

 

Yep.. I had to teach my cousin's kid how to use a rotary phone over Thanksgiving. He was amazed by it. He actually wanted to call people on the rotary phone instead of his cell phone. Boggles my mind what would happen should the lights suddenly go out. I am waiting for a younger member of the family to ask how ice cubes are made should the refrigerator-freezer not have an ice maker.

Does Rand McNally still make atlases? Last one I bought was something like 10 years ago when the local Wally*World had them for a song (like $6). I think a Garmin stand-alone GPS w/ maps would work unless the satellites went down, and/or it could not be charged... or EMP took it out.

 

From what I gather from my new truck:
-some of the apps are now subscription based.
-cars are moving toward apple play. So maybe some car companies see no need to develop their own tech?
-Toyota is always behind on tech. Look at their electric car offerings. Look at how long it took to redesign the 3rd gen tacoma. People still buy them.

 

I kind of believe Toyota works off of the "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" mantra.

There is something to be said about the inherent simplicity of a Tacoma/4Runner. Simple engines, simple transmissions, and yes, I will call the infotainment simple. Where the competition has to load their vehicles up with all this tech to sell it(Hyundai/Kia). No turbos, or fancy graphics here. They are trucks/cars/vans. They, realistically, need to be good at that first. And, in my experience, Toyotas are just that. There is a reason we used to call them appliances.

Other manufacturers have fantastic vehicle lines. I, for one, cannot stand the big screen TV slapped on top of dashboards anymore. Just seems to be the big trend just like in dash touch screens 15/20 years ago.

I like the old tech. It just works at this point.

Yes, I'd rather play on a Nintendo or Genesis most times, yet I love my PS4.

Hope that made sense. Kind of felt like a ramble. I should be working, not posting anyway.

 

Oh and this might calm the crowd. My wife has a 2021 Honda CRV. The "radio" (do we call it that anymore) is not much different than my new tacoma. Same thing, I think car manufacturers are relying on apple play.

I asked for crank windows when I ordered my truck. The salesman laughed but then realized I was serious.

 

I have yet to find an "infotainment system" on any vehicle that is anything but confusing, distracting, and more or less unsafe when driving. Maybe it's just me, but I long for the days when the Maverick was a car and came with an AM radio that had a single speaker in the dash.

 

I have Waze on my iPhone and when I use carplay it works when I hit the map button.

 

Correct. Toyota audio is a terrible disappointment and they know it.
Also Correct. Your sales person was an imbecile. And they know it.