The CarPlay Thread

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gregatron5

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  • #1
    I finally have access to CarPlay. I've literally only used it three times so far, so I'm still very much in the getting used to it phase.

    So far I like using Maps, but kind of wish I could use Google Maps or Waze (for better traffic rerouting) instead of just Apple Maps. Having Siri read text messages is… weird. Still not used to replying via Siri even though I (used to) use dictation all the time.

    The Music app seems to suck just as much as using it straight from the phone (e.g. skipping songs).

    Who else has it? What do you think? Any tips & tricks? Good apps?
     
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    Smack

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  • #3
    We had it in a Yukon we rented for a week last month, and it was pretty neat to play with. Let me see what I remember...

    Maps was okay. I found the interface a bit confusing, and it was much easier to select a destination on the phone than through the touchscreen. I usually use Google Maps, which I prefer, but Apple Maps was sufficient.

    Messages was okay. It makes you go through Siri to do anything, even check your texts. The UI seems to have no problem showing you a lot of text at other times, so that's a bit much.

    Didn't use Music. Overcast worked pretty well for podcasts, and the skip-forward/back buttons on the steering wheel worked great.

    The compass display in the top left (just "NE" or "SW" in a circle) is pretty bad, IMHO. And sometimes it's an app icon instead, but not sure why.

    It was also just generally a bit flaky. I had my phone hard reset a couple of times. Also, when you plug it in, it seems like it has to load the CarPlay service and that takes surprisingly long.

    But it is certainly promising, and when they have widespread wireless support, it will be even better.
     
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    ClarkGoble

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  • #4
    I have played with CarPlay. Back when I jailbroke there was an tweak that would let your reboot your phone or iPad in Carplay mode where it was the Carplay receiver. It worked great. I'm sure it's part of the iOS9 jailbreak but iOS9 now has everything I used to jailbreak for so I didn't bother this round.

    I definitely found it a mixed service. I also use Downcast which I don't think yet supports Carplay. Last I heard they had requested to be on Carplay but weren't yet. Kind of annoying Marco got in and not Downcast if that's the case.

    Regarding my memories of CarPlay, it seemed more like beta software than something well thought out. It's almost certainly better than just doing Bluetooth through you stereo. But it also definitely feels like it could be far better than it is.

    For Maps I find both Google Maps and Apple Maps have big problems - especially for rural driving. It worked well enough and again is vastly superior to the built in car GPS.
     
    armwt

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  • #5
    I've been curious, but aftermarket head units are still too expensive at this point for me to justify. I recently bought a used car with a dead head unit as a daily driver, and when I started looking at possibly putting a CarPlay-capable unit in there, realized that the prices are still pretty high.

    That being said - my biggest concerns are along the lines of what previous responses indicate: I don't want to be locked into Maps (I prefer Waze, Google, and Apple maps in that order), and while I suppose it is more or less a requirement, the idea of a pure touch interface in the car still bugs me, but I guess Siri solves some of that... I just prefer tactile buttons in the car for eyes-free operation.

    For now, I think I'll have to make do with something that has USB-in, or perhaps apt-x bluetooth, and just use the phone as the source.
     
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    ClarkGoble

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  • #6
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30117199#p30117199:19snk4ds said:
    armwt[/url]":19snk4ds]...the idea of a pure touch interface in the car still bugs me, but I guess Siri solves some of that... I just prefer tactile buttons in the car for eyes-free operation.
    Click to expand...

    Some of this is up to the car designers. It needn't (and often isn't) a pure touch environment. It's designed to work with rotary knobs for instance. It's still definitely Siri oriented though.

    The biggest advantage of a true CarPlay player is I find some cars have huge delays between when I click Siri on the phone and when it's ready to listen to my voice through the car bluetooth system. My Toyota Sienna is particularly bad with this - with my Leaf there's a delay but not an annoying one. Beyond having to hit the home button on my phone rather than a button on the steering wheel.
     
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    ClarkGoble

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  • #8
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30117623#p30117623:1dsglgb5 said:
    kenada[/url]":1dsglgb5]I’ve considered installing a CarPlay-capable head unit in my car, but I’d rather not have to plug in my iPhone just to use it. I have no idea when CarPlay 2.0 ones that support wireless can be expected.
    Click to expand...

    I wouldn't count on wireless. Bluetooth just isn't fast enough to transfer all the necessary data yet.
     
    kenada

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  • #9
    ClarkGoble said:
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30117623#p30117623:p0n4frqg said:
    kenada[/url]":p0n4frqg]I’ve considered installing a CarPlay-capable head unit in my car, but I’d rather not have to plug in my iPhone just to use it. I have no idea when CarPlay 2.0 ones that support wireless can be expected.
    Click to expand...
    I wouldn't count on wireless. Bluetooth just isn't fast enough to transfer all the necessary data yet.
    Click to expand...
    Wasn’t that one of the features of CarPlay 2.0? I’d assumed it would work similarly to peer-to-peer AirPlay.
     
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    ClarkGoble

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  • #10
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30117767#p30117767:1i0jy6bk said:
    kenada[/url]":1i0jy6bk]
    Wasn’t that one of the features of CarPlay 2.0? I’d assumed it would work similarly to peer-to-peer AirPlay.
    Click to expand...

    It's more or less Airplay over the cable. Remember Airplay is WiFi. Even 802.11g is 54 Mbps. 802.11n is 400 - 600 Mbps and 802.11ac is 1331 Mbps. In contrast bluetooth 4 is 25Mbps at best right now.
     
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    gregatron5

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  • #11
    Right now in my VW head unit a short press of the voice button on the steering wheel activates the car's voice system, and a long press will activate Siri. VW's map/nav system actually seems pretty decent. Going by the copyright notices, it's done by TomTom. All their data (traffic, gas, etc) comes from Sirius or CarNet (which is provided by VZW). Since you can only use one navigation system, I haven't really been able to pit them head-to-head yet. Maybe for the Thanksgiving trip I'll not plug the phone in and simultaneously do Apple Maps vs. VW nav (and maybe Google Maps if my brother is in the car, too).

    Music restarts right where it lets off once CarPlay activates after plugging in, which is nice. The steering wheel controls for track skipping works as expected. I haven't really done much texting or calling yet.
     
    kenada

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  • #12
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30117957#p30117957:1xzwsi9i said:
    ClarkGoble[/url]":1xzwsi9i]
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30117767#p30117767:1xzwsi9i said:
    kenada[/url]":1xzwsi9i]
    Wasn’t that one of the features of CarPlay 2.0? I’d assumed it would work similarly to peer-to-peer AirPlay.
    Click to expand...
    It's more or less Airplay over the cable. Remember Airplay is WiFi. Even 802.11g is 54 Mbps. 802.11n is 400 - 600 Mbps and 802.11ac is 1331 Mbps. In contrast bluetooth 4 is 25Mbps at best right now.
    Click to expand...
    Right, but Apple announced wireless support at WWDC this year.
     
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    ClarkGoble

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  • #14
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30118699#p30118699:1ykhqedu said:
    kenada[/url]":1ykhqedu]Right, but Apple announced wireless support at WWDC this year.
    Click to expand...


    I must have missed that. I bet they require Bluetooth 4.0 in the cars to at least get moderate speed. I'm curious if there are big performance differences between wireless and wired. Wireless definitely would be the better solution if it's fast enough in practical use.
     
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    ClarkGoble

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  • #15
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30127601#p30127601:2rpurmwp said:
    vafarmboy[/url]":2rpurmwp]I'm getting increasingly annoyed that there's no way to see what's playing when using any other apps. I want to know what song is on when I'm using Maps.

    It's also annoying that it opens the phone app whenever I manually switch to CarPlay from the dash. I almost never want the phone app. Just open whatever was opened last!
    Click to expand...

    Yes it needs some significant love. I'm actually surprised there's not a significant update with iOS9.

    The other annoying thing is that Apple's been very stingy giving out developer kits. You have to get permission from Apple to get started. The Downcast people have been trying a long time to get approved with no luck. It seems a bit unfair Apple would approve Marco but not Downcast. (Just got an email from them on the topic)

    This presumably also means other apps might not get approved. For instance I think an app like PlugShare (lists and reviews all electrical charging stations in an area) would be a perfect fit for CarPlay.
     
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    gregatron5

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  • #16
    Is there a list of CarPlay apps somewhere? I would think there would be a category on the store, but of course there isn't.

    As excited as I was about CarPlay, I'm half tempted to just go back using aux input or Bluetooth. The VW maps app has speed limit signs and lane guidance, which Apple maps does not. Significant advantage to VW on that. It seems like, for me, CarPlay is boiling down to a fancy Music App player and hands-free phone interface.
     
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    Jeff3F

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  • #17
    I'm still favoring a ac vent magnetic mount and an ashtray power cord, with google maps. The cars map is nigh worthless except that it usually knows the time and the speed limit.

    My phone is flaky since iOS 9 and since upgrading to a recent model vw group car. It worked a lot better with Bluetooth and an older pioneer head unit. More predictable and less silent drives due to the phone just shitting the bed and refusing to play music or whatever.
     
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  • #18
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30129529#p30129529:25rdww74 said:
    vafarmboy[/url]":25rdww74]Is there a list of CarPlay apps somewhere? I would think there would be a category on the store, but of course there isn't.
    Click to expand...

    I can't quite figure Apple out on CarPlay. They're really giving it half-hearted support IMO. Here's the list of apps (I've no idea how well this has been updated) What's weird is that as I mentioned there are lots of app developers who want to make CarPlay apps but Apple's not approved them.

    My guess is that Apple's planning a major revision of CarPlay and is more or less ignoring the current version.
     
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    gregatron5

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  • #19
    OK. I have my iPhone 6s setup to connect to my VW MIB II via bluetooth. I also connect with the lightning cable for CarPlay. This, apparently, really fucks things up.

    Last night I wanted to use Waze because traffic was pants-on-head stupid, but I also wanted to listen to music and I needed to charge my phone. So I plugged the phone in and manually disconnected it from CarPlay. This way I was playing music via bluetooth and Waze was running on the phone while it was charging. When I got home, the sound from my phone was fucked. It would alternate not playing any sounds through the speaker, playing sounds normally, or stuttering a sound so rapidly it would take 3 times as long as normal to play. (SMS sounds and other notifications.)

    WTF. Anyone else experience this?
     
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    wco81

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  • #20
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30129675#p30129675:efgy8ai1 said:
    Jeff3F[/url]":efgy8ai1]I'm still favoring a ac vent magnetic mount and an ashtray power cord, with google maps. The cars map is nigh worthless except that it usually knows the time and the speed limit.

    My phone is flaky since iOS 9 and since upgrading to a recent model vw group car. It worked a lot better with Bluetooth and an older pioneer head unit. More predictable and less silent drives due to the phone just shitting the bed and refusing to play music or whatever.
    Click to expand...


    Yeah me too. I saw some early after-market head units with large displays but those were like $500 and up.

    Yet you have limited app. selection so why would I trade Google Maps for Apple Maps?
     
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    wco81

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  • #21
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30129675#p30129675:1piukmbl said:
    Jeff3F[/url]":1piukmbl]I'm still favoring a ac vent magnetic mount and an ashtray power cord, with google maps. The cars map is nigh worthless except that it usually knows the time and the speed limit.

    My phone is flaky since iOS 9 and since upgrading to a recent model vw group car. It worked a lot better with Bluetooth and an older pioneer head unit. More predictable and less silent drives due to the phone just shitting the bed and refusing to play music or whatever.
    Click to expand...


    Yeah me too. I saw some early after-market head units with large displays but those were like $500 and up.

    Yet you have limited app. selection so why would I trade Google Maps for Apple Maps?
     
    Semi On

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  • #25
    Moving discussions from the AppleTV thread:

    Really it would be better if they can just mirror the iPhone screen, just offer a dumb display.
    Click to expand...

    CarPlay is a buggy mess, but when it works, I actually like the implementation of Apple Maps in Car Play better than in the phone. The things that bug me about Apple Maps (not being able to pan around my route to see what's coming up) don't really apply to the car's screen and it's pretty.

    Pure screen mirroring means you have to use the phone to control what's on the display. Siri isn't capable of controlling everything on the phone. That's overtly dangerous.
     
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  • #26
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=30206861#p30206861:3aan0wuw said:
    vafarmboy[/url]":3aan0wuw]For some reason when my car starts, the radio thinks there is an announcement or phone call going on. It takes 35 minutes for it to time out before I can do or hear anything sound related. All the apps and stuff work, but you can't hear anything and voice instructions don't work. It's very odd.
    Click to expand...

    I have had similar bugs with a random phone call on my BMW which isn't CarPlay, but does have Siri support.
     
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    wco81

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  • #27
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=31225643#p31225643:33qhabje said:
    Semi On[/url]":33qhabje]Moving discussions from the AppleTV thread:

    Really it would be better if they can just mirror the iPhone screen, just offer a dumb display.
    Click to expand...

    CarPlay is a buggy mess, but when it works, I actually like the implementation of Apple Maps in Car Play better than in the phone. The things that bug me about Apple Maps (not being able to pan around my route to see what's coming up) don't really apply to the car's screen and it's pretty.

    Pure screen mirroring means you have to use the phone to control what's on the display. Siri isn't capable of controlling everything on the phone. That's overtly dangerous.
    Click to expand...

    True but a lot of people will want to use Google Maps. So either hold the iPhone or mount it high on the dash.

    Apple needs to support Siri with third party apps or at least navigation apps. They should continue to improve their mapping data set and promote it but should make it easier to use other mapping apps too.

    Maybe if and when CarPlay fizzles out.
     
    armwt

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  • #29
    I'm close to throwing in the towel and buying the JBL Legend head unit - I've got an older car with a dead head unit, so already planning on spending *some* $$ to replace it, and I've seen the JBL a few places for about $350, which is a lot less than most CarPlay units.

    Biggest "wish" for CarPlay is Waze support, but I certainly know better than to hold my breath. Basically I'm just after something that will easily integrate my existing music library and streaming media with the car. I personally somewhat detest Apple Maps, but may give in and switch back if I have to.

    Not TOO worried about the cost, but still catch myself wondering if the Carplay interface is worth the $150-200 premium over a "normal" head unit with BT pairing to the phone.
     
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    stash

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  • #30
    CarPlay is absolute shit. If I plug my phone in before starting the car, CarPlay never starts. Maps forgets my view preference all the time. Texting is maddening. Even when it works, it take forever and most of the time there is 10-20 second delay after I dictate a message before Siri figures out what I said. Siri frequently shits herself and doesn't give audio control back to the radio or Spotify, forcing me to turn the whole system off. Spotify is awful on CarPlay. The only way I can get it to play anything is by starting the music on the phone.

    I was really excited to get CarPlay on my '16 Golf R, but it is such a huge mess I never use it.
     
    armwt

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  • #32
    I guess the question in my mind is "who is to blame?".

    Apple ditched their traditional model with Carplay. They've built their strengths on controlling the "whole widget", but with Carplay, they're basically setting up the mechanism and letting OEM's and the aftermarket run with producing the hardware to interface with iOS. Guess my question is simply is the failure of Carplay because Apple's API's and support sucks, or because the 3rd party manufacturers can't design an interface worth a damn? (in other words... if someone actually puts the effort into the hardware, are the protocols and APIs adequate on Apple's end for a solid experience?
     
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    sjg

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  • #33
    Getting too many times where I go into Overcast, select a podcast then just get audio controls and nothing else up on screen, and nothing playing. Usually Apple's own Music app still works OK - in fact, I've not had any gripes with Apple's own stuff via Carplay, just 3rd-party apps.

    Wondering how much of this is limited testing on the part of developers, either less interest (if a tiny proportion of your userbase use Carplay, how much time would you spend?) or lack of access to real hardware for testing.
     
    Semi On

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  • #34
    Apple ditched their traditional model with Carplay. They've built their strengths on controlling the "whole widget", but with Carplay, they're basically setting up the mechanism and letting OEM's and the aftermarket run with producing the hardware to interface with iOS. Guess my question is simply is the failure of Carplay because Apple's API's and support sucks, or because the 3rd party manufacturers can't design an interface worth a damn? (in other words... if someone actually puts the effort into the hardware, are the protocols and APIs adequate on Apple's end for a solid experience?
    Click to expand...

    Since the flaky software is running on the phone and the infotainment system is just a display and a few buttons, I tend to think it's Apple. I see a lot of complaints across manufacturers as well, which also would point to Apple in my mind.

    Usually Apple's own Music app still works OK - in fact, I've not had any gripes with Apple's own stuff via Carplay, just 3rd-party apps.
    Click to expand...
    I've had flakiness in the podcast app.
     
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    cblais19

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  • #35
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=31235605#p31235605:1mynlvrp said:
    Semi On[/url]":1mynlvrp]
    Apple ditched their traditional model with Carplay. They've built their strengths on controlling the "whole widget", but with Carplay, they're basically setting up the mechanism and letting OEM's and the aftermarket run with producing the hardware to interface with iOS. Guess my question is simply is the failure of Carplay because Apple's API's and support sucks, or because the 3rd party manufacturers can't design an interface worth a damn? (in other words... if someone actually puts the effort into the hardware, are the protocols and APIs adequate on Apple's end for a solid experience?
    Click to expand...

    Since the flaky software is running on the phone and the infotainment system is just a display and a few buttons, I tend to think it's Apple. I see a lot of complaints across manufacturers as well, which also would point to Apple in my mind.

    Usually Apple's own Music app still works OK - in fact, I've not had any gripes with Apple's own stuff via Carplay, just 3rd-party apps.
    Click to expand...
    I've had flakiness in the podcast app.
    Click to expand...

    I'm honestly leaning towards blaming VAG. Both of you have VAG products, and CarPlay on my wife's Golf was having a number of issues, but so was the infotainment as a whole. We had the entire unit replaced and I used Carplay flawlessly for a good while on Saturday, including rapid message readback & response, Apple Music and Maps. Also plugged my phone in each time I got in the car and Carplay started up by default.

    They've (VW) already pushed out two software updates for MIBII to try and remedy various issues.

    Edit: IIRC, vafarmboy has a Golf R, stash has a Golf R, you have an Audi and I have a Golf TSi. Certainly not saying "Carplay is zomg perfect", but there does seem to be a common link in this thread at least.
     
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    cblais19

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  • #37
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=31236317#p31236317:3pt61g8s said:
    wco81[/url]":3pt61g8s]European cars used to have a poor rep for electronics, back in the day when they first started integrating things like bluetooth.

    Maybe CarPlay implementation by Honda or Toyota (and Acura and Lexus) would be better?
    Click to expand...

    Toyota hasn't said anything about either AA or Carplay. Honda has it in all '16 Accords and Civics EX trim and up, so they're going to be the largest install base by far. However, I know Honda has had quite a few issues with the new Android based infotainment unit in the Civic. I think this illustrates that despite the engineering cred. when it comes to the rest of the vehicle, programming the software for the infotainment computer is quite a bit different. I think Kia/Hyundai are possibly in the lead here, with very high usability marks (simple, clear touchscreen interfaces + voice commands and redundant physical controls). Plus they're implementing both smartphone integration systems.
     
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    cblais19

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  • #39
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=31236417#p31236417:llc2e74m said:
    stash[/url]":llc2e74m]
    They've (VW) already pushed out two software updates for MIBII to try and remedy various issues.
    Click to expand...

    This wouldn't shock me, but OTOH, I haven't had any issues with MIBII other than CarPlay. I've been meaning to ask my dealer about the updates.
    Click to expand...

    Yeah, my dealer tried applying a software patch that was specifically to remedy various BT/Phone issues. First time around it failed, second time they did a total system reset and applied it, still had issues. They finally took a package out of another Golf on the lot and put it in our car, flawless since then.
     
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    ClarkGoble

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  • #40
    [url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=31236317#p31236317:11gkawxn said:
    wco81[/url]":11gkawxn]European cars used to have a poor rep for electronics, back in the day when they first started integrating things like bluetooth.

    Maybe CarPlay implementation by Honda or Toyota (and Acura and Lexus) would be better?
    Click to expand...

    Can't speak for Honda, but Toyota is horrible compared to Nissan. My Sienna has very unreliable bluetooth. It's UI is awful (admittedly that's standard for most car electronics). And how it handles visuals for music is so ridiculously annoying it's not funny. Presumably to keep your attention off the screen it'll show what's playing for about 30 seconds and then switch back to the menus -- Nissan has a very nice screen showing what's playing.
     
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