“Toyota has famously avoided Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two in-car software platforms that bring the functionality and feel of a smartphone to the vehicle’s central screen,” Kirsten Korosec reports for Fortune. “But Toyota appears to be a holdout no more. At least for the upcoming 2019 Toyota Avalon.”
“The new Avalon, the flagship of Toyota’s portfolio, was unveiled Monday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit,” Korosec reports. “Unlike other Toyota vehicles, this one was designed and manufactured in the United States. The 2019 Toyota Avalon will come in four grades: the athletic and all-new XSE, the Touring, the more opulent XLE, and Limited. Hybrid versions are available in the XLE, Limited, and XSE grades. And all come standard with Apple Carplay.”
“Toyota made no mention of adding Android Auto however,” Korosec reports. “Meaning Google won’t be part of the automaker’s ecosystem just yet—if ever.”
Two words: Apple. CarPlay. Finally, we know… #NAIAS #Avalon pic.twitter.com/FbKDVyZHz9
— Toyota USA (@Toyota) January 15, 2018
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Your long wait in the wilderness is almost over, Toyota drivers!
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz” and “Kat81inTX” for the heads up.]
Was looking at a new car last year and Toyota didn’t make the cut because of CarPlay. Proud owner now of Honda Civic Sport Hatchback and I love my new Honda!
Still ready to buy replacement for my 2004 Camry (450K miles original engine, tranny, spark plugs, etc.) and almost got the Camry XSE but Entunes 3.0 was the deal breaker. Aint gonna wait for this Avalon, though.
Glad to hear you like your Honda because we are gonna pull the trigger on the new Car of the Year – Honda Accord. All because of Toyota’s lousy GPS and/or lack of CarPlay,
Love my 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid with CarPlay
Now that explained why there are many Honda Civic and Accord on the roads. My curiosity has been solved.
Sirin has asked Phil to schedule additional therapy sessions as she hyperventilates about the added workload, public visibility and ultimately, flubs.
Siri has asked Phil to schedule additional therapy sessions as she hyperventilates about the added workload, public visibility and ultimately, flubs.
Now, if they would only make it a software upgrade for my 2017 Prius.
Bought a Honda hybrid instead last year after finding out that Toyota didn’t offer CarPlay
Subaru still doesn’t offer CarPlay. Luckily Honda does, since their built-in system is horrible.
Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries) is partially owned by Toyota (10%) and shares some technology, so maybe that will change.
Used to have a Subaru (2001 Forester) back before they got so damn big and cheesed up for the Soccer Moms. Had a skid plate and would go where Jeep Wranglers feared to tread. The new ones are much larger and much less capable off road.
Still a Toyota- a Japanese Buick (dull, ugly, floaty ride and dead steering).
VW has been giving away (not available as in extra $) for years. Here is the latest version. Not sure why Honda, Cadillac and apparently Toyota think they need to charge for it.
I guess it’s been a while since you’ve seen or even driven a Buick.
It’s a Gubmint Motors car or SUV with a shared chassis with a Chevrolet and a markup. Lots of them are made in China and many components are from China.
As to driving one- I pass the Soccer Moms driving the all the time.
Tell me how long again does it take automakers to adopt? 10 years?
It is the greed. Pickups cost less to make than cars, but they charge more because they can.
It is amazing how some models can double i price with options. A VW Alltrack is a VW Sportwagen with Haldex AWD but the list price is almost double that of a standard Golf 4DR Hatch. pretty sure the Haldex system does not cost $18k.
Automakers pivot about as fast as a Cook. The difference is that it takes billions of dollars in heavy machinery to make cars, whereas Cook calls foxconn, which hires and fires chinese workers by the ten thousand.
By the way, GM haters: all the awards GM is winning these days show they finally got their act together. You avoid trying them (all with CP) at your own loss. Same for VW, which stepped up quality big time in the last decade. Any company that owns Bugatti, Porsche, Audi, Bentley, Ducati, etc must have some seriously good engineering.
Apple’s engineering in new hardware has been AWOL since 2012. Can’t blame automakers for assuming that CP would have as much chance being a disappointment like ATV or Ping or any subscription services Apple offers
Since Alexa was already announced for 2018 Toyotas earlier, and now CarPlay, I don’t expect Android Auto to be too far behind.
http://www.tflcar.com/2018/01/toyota-amazon-alexa-news/