CarPlay Impressions

[Ralfi]

Thought I'd kick start a thread on the discussion of CarPlay, as I see it (& it's equivalent Android Auto/Mirrorlink) as something of significance in cars now & in future.

Maps...

In the lead up to receiving my MY16, id switched over from Google maps to Apple maps in my work vehicle, just to get a feel for the Apple variant again. It still has its issues - mainly inaccurate estimated travel times being ~10 minutes longer than Google, lack of suggesting faster routes whilst travelling & a weaker representation of traffic.

Despite those flaws, it still works very well & is very driver-friendly in the way you can find all your saved destinations by a name you've assigned to them (which Google surprisingly hasn't implemented yet).

Its smooth-panning 3D view is uncluttered on the 6.5" screen, with the directions on a left panel - one touch of this panel mutes the voice guidance & you can adjust the volume of the voice guidance by tapping the volume buttons on the steering wheel whilst voice guidance is talking (same way as with the VW NAV).

Music...

A big step forward - navigating around your collection is as seamless & easy as it is on your phone. Big buttons are key here - think those chunky home light switches for elderly people...makes things MUCH easier to select, unlike on my iPhone 5 Music App, where buttons are cluttered & less distinct from each other. Music does remember where it left off between engine cut offs & it doesn't default to REPEAT, as MIB I infuriatingly did over Bluetooth.

It is a USB connection now though, which for me is good as I get the best sound with constant charging. I can understand the inconvenience with those who like to get in/out of vehicle with minimal plug in/out duties to perform (having keyless entry also makes me sympathise with them).

CarPlay's Music App also brings back the track "1/12" indication - something which was taken away from the iPhone version in the latest IOS (yes, I noticed Apple!!).

You still can't see a full track list of the album you're playing - not via a button on the 'Now Playing' screen anyway, which is what I liked about the iPhone App two IOS's ago (the current IOS made this worse too).

I also wish I could customise the header menu options to bring 'Albums' or whatever to the first screen. Tipping future updates will implement this, as they did on the iPhone. Then again, they took those headings away in the latest IOS.....STOP RUINING THE MUSIC APP ON IPHONE APPLE..

Siri...

A revelation in the car - I've so far used it to find Maps locations/directions & make phone calls.....whilst doing 100km (higher cabin noise), there was little delay in Siri acknowledging the commands & performing them.

Haven't made the most of Siri yet, but I can already tell it's going to make life easier for drivers - forget the cars default voice controls (which aren't free & are reportedly shidouse). Instead make use of holding the Voice button on the steering wheel, talk to Siri & have much more confidence in your command getting done.

Gotto go for a drive now in glorious weather....might try the recommended Arundle road..

Stay tuned for thread updates. Any questions, just drop them in.