Toyota's latest infotainment system is powered by Linux

note my bolding for emphasis ...


Toyota will be the first US automaker to use "Automotive Grade Linux (AGL)" for its 2018 Toyota Camry. In case you're understandably confused by all the competing infotaintment platforms, AGL is an open-source system based on, you guessed it, Linux. It boasts 200 members from various sectors including Toyota, Honda, Mercedes, Qualcomm, Intel and Samsung. The system is designed as an option to offerings from tech companies like Google and Apple, giving automakers a solid base that they can easily customize and update.

The AGL platform gives drivers "greater connectivity and new functionalities at a pace that is more consistent with consumer technology," said Toyota VP Keiji Yamamoto in a press release. He's referring to the fact that automakers are notorious for using slow, outdated tech in their homegrown entertainment systems. As a result, consumers prefer higher-tech, more current gear like Android Auto and Apple's Carplay, which many car companies now offer either instead of (or on top of) their own systems.

Automakers aren't crazy about giving tech companies such a prominent place in their cars, but they also need to give drivers what actually want. That's where AGL comes in, returning control of the center console to automakers, while letting them easily update or modify the tech.

Toyota is still using Entune branding, with AGL 3.0 forming the base for its latest Entune 3.0 system in the Camry. AGL reportedly gave it reference apps including a media player and tuner, navigation app, wireless capabilities and vehicle controls. The automaker used those to make its custom Scout navigation app, but there's no word on others that will be available in the Camry. In theory, it can pick and choose which it includes -- for instance, it could easily offer sat-nav on some models but not others.

(how long until someone figures out how to hack the software to enable features that are not enabled? pay for the cheap version and hack it to turn on the more expensive version features)​

At the same time, Toyota will be able to offer Android Auto and Carplay if it chooses. The tech will eventually come to other Toyota vehicles, along with models from sister company Lexus. The system may appear in vehicles from Mazda, Mercedes and Ford, as Autoblog points out, so those and other AGL members will no doubt be watching the Camry release closely.

https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/31/toyota-automotive-grade-linux-camry/#/

 

The one thing I wish Toyota would come out with is something similar to BMW's iDrive. It's pictured in the bottom right of the photo. Your arm sits nicely on the console armrest and the driver can press down, turn, push forward, back and side to side. You font ever have to reach to touch the screen. You can control anything with this "knob" that you have to use the touch screen for on some other cars. Yeah I know it seems a little techie for a truck.

 

thats fine and dandy if you are the only person in the vehicle. add a dog, passenger, kids and that thing is a magnet.

 

If a manufacturer chooses to roll out a simpler-to-hack head unit, I'd bet they'll make it so the features are module dependent - like you want NAV? Enable it, but then it doesn't work and you learn you need module number 78349-09772. Software as a revenue model without some type of check or lock is a slippery slope.

I love me some Linux to tweeek on, but I doubt they'll let it be that easy. Toyota peeps are pretty smart.

 

Toyota will disable it so you can't use it while the truck is doing more than 5mph. Then you'd have to post on the forum to see if there's a way to work around the disable while drive feature.

THEN, 30 people with bitch at you for not using the search feature on the forum. 20 others will post to say you should have bought a 3rd gen and not a fourth gen because the 4th gen is crap.

No THANK YOU! Not worth the potential grief.

 

Just get this instead

https://electrek.co/2017/05/30/havelaar-all-electric-pickup-truck-bison-startup/

 

Long time Debian linux user (whonix when trolling the deep state). Most people don't know how prevalent linux is in their lives.

 

Idrive sucks balls. Are you high right now?

 

*shrug* It was never an issue with human or canine passengers in the BMW I used to have, nor is it an issue with my Miata which has a similar control setup.

I get what he means and I deal with a 2010 idrive (CIC) vehicle for years.

Current Miatas have a hybrid touch panel with a dial/button control interface - you can use either most of the time and it's nice option.

 

The most hated system ever rated by car magazines...just saying.

 

I've owned a lot of cars in my life and the one that sucked the most was the Ford sync, that was the most horrid user experience ever. One of my favorite was the Audi UI on my 2014 allroad but the best for me was Porsche's PCM 3.0 that was nice and intuitive.

 

My Mom, God rest her soul, had a car with Ford Sync on it and swore I could get it to work because "it has to do with computers". Yeah, it never worked reliably at all. Thing was awful.

 

I drive sucked. Original sync was terrible. Sync 2 I liked in my F150. Never had any problems. Sync 3 I don't like as much. Entune is ok, but could be better. Mine has problems resyncing once I get back in the truck if I jump out quick for something. However there is more user features and stuff than my sync 2 had. Not that I really use them but they are there. I've used a few others. They all have strengths and weaknesses

 

Had anyone roped out the stock HU And installed an aftermarket one that had Android Auto it Apple?

 

It's great if you know how to use it. But it does takes som common sense. That's wher I see the biggest problem with it. People just don't know how simple, easy and superior it is.

 

The first units did basically nothing. The newer models work perfectly. To each their own. People and magazines say the 3rd gen is a pos. But I love mine. I've found when a vehicle has more than a gas pedal, break pedal, key and automatic gear selector, they have trouble operating the vehicle. Technology isn't for everyone. Lucky for some people old technology is still available.

 

Not really true. It's much safer because you don't need to use you hand trying to find the right button to push. Idrive you can learn it pretty much by feel. I HATED it at first but now after have 5 BMW's with it, it's one of the best features other than sheer speed and excellent handling. If Toyota offered a similar version, I'd have paid extra for it. Its just that great.

 

I actually don't mind the BMW iDrive system after using it for just over a year. There is a huge learning curve and it takes a while before you intuitively know where the buttons are. I also give them a lot of credit in terms of having a great GPS UI. It really puts Toyota and Honda to shame. Only problem with BMW is everything is integrated into iDrive. Will I ever trust iDrive over a dipstick?

Entune is no where near perfect but at least it is simple as hell and super responsive. Try one of the Honda systems and you will see what I mean. Click a button wait 1-2 seconds. Irritates me to no end.

 

... and unlike all the wired carplay units on the market, you don't have the f'ing plug in your phone every time you get in the truck for it to work.

 

ford sync first gens really sucked as did the idrive and even the lexus mouse pad. each successive gen got better but most remember the first gen systems since they were so bad.

entune is the same way, as what we have is still (IMO) first gen version. hopefully this new version/gen will make a difference. have to go see a 2018 camry to just play around with the new system when they hit the dealers.