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Toyota will ship an over-the-air replace to all Toyota and Lexus automobiles that may completely dock its touchscreen infotainment system's financial institution of menu icons to the display screen, even when utilizing Apple CarPlay. This may repair a significant flaw and grievance with the present system: there's no fast option to bypass CarPlay for one of many automotive's primary infotainment menus. For instance, going between Google Maps and satellite tv for pc radio.
The OTA replace will likely be despatched to all automobiles outfitted with the present Toyota/Lexus infotainment system, which debuted within the redesigned Lexus NX and has since unfold throughout each manufacturers' lineups. This is applicable to all display screen sizes. Though a Toyota consultant confirmed the scope of this replace, they didn’t have a selected schedule for when these updates can be shipped.
At present, the infotainment system lacks the 2 most typical technique of bypassing Apple CarPlay: a “House” button (because the earlier technology Toyota system had a bodily button) or a completely docked menu icon that seems as House. Goes one step additional than the button. By offering you with an categorical path to capabilities corresponding to radio, telephone navigation or automobile settings. This omission generally is a fixed supply of frustration and is the principle purpose why we have now been much less drawn to this technique since its introduction. We weren’t alone.
Sheldon Brown, chief engineer for the Toyota Tacoma, says he was “adamant” about including a menu financial institution completely docked to the infotainment system for the explanations listed above.
“We flashed 3,000 (Tacoma) models to verify we didn't have to OTA the present construct,” he mentioned, including that he was fairly pleased he was capable of make the change. That it could overtake new fashions just like the Tacoma or already manufactured vehicles is a win for OTA updates.
Now, you could have seen that we're solely mentioning Apple CarPlay. Toyota confirmed that this replace doesn’t apply to Android Auto, which has the very same jailbreak situation. There was no remark as as to if this is able to be improved or not.