2018 Camry Using Open-Source Linux Infotainment

Grahamkracka said:
"I have a performance / beater / old / offroading / base trim vehicle so I don't need this" yadda yadda. Good for you.:rolleyes:

I have a big V8 (with a blower waiting for installation) that suites my personal vehicular entertainment purposes, and a Volt for my commute...but the family hauler's (Honda Pilot) convenience features had better damn well work like I want them to if I'm paying so much for a fat boring vehicle. Toyota failed here miserably.

Also, while Toyota may be mechanically reliable...in my experience their interior fit and finish is just fuckin cheap. Even the 3 brand new ones we test drove earlier this year were rattling plastic hell. Don't even get me started on my wife's old Corolla we got rid of a few years ago...ran well (until the exhaust manifold cracked), garbage interior drove me nuts.
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Toyota's are bland as refrigerators. ;)
 
I use and love android auto ( pioneer nex) i wish manufacturers used standard 2 din units, not all this shit they do.
 
I prefer cars that standard 2 DIN stereo. I like to use aftermarket stereo head units.
 
rigurat said:
I prefer cars that standard 2 DIN stereo. I like to use aftermarket stereo head units.
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That's the way to go. Just give me a car with a 2 DIN stereo opening and space for at least 6" speakers. I can run my own wires.
 
1. Android/iOS tablet
2. Velcro
3. Best infotainment navigator on the planet

And if you dont mind spending extra you can get a pro shop to make a custom bezel so it actually looks stock. Although merely tucking the wires behind the dash usually makes a front sitting tablet look decent enough.
 
BulletDust said:
Toyota's are bland as refrigerators. ;)
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Everyone's taste is different.
Toyota has been trying to spice up the looks of their cars the past few years, but I think the newer ones actually look worse.
Guess I prefer the bland look :p
 
Grahamkracka said:
"I have a performance / beater / old / offroading / base trim vehicle so I don't need this" yadda yadda. Good for you.:rolleyes:

I have a big V8 (with a blower waiting for installation) that suites my personal vehicular entertainment purposes, and a Volt for my commute...but the family hauler's (Honda Pilot) convenience features had better damn well work like I want them to if I'm paying so much for a fat boring vehicle. Toyota failed here miserably.

Also, while Toyota may be mechanically reliable...in my experience their interior fit and finish is just fuckin cheap. Even the 3 brand new ones we test drove earlier this year were rattling plastic hell. Don't even get me started on my wife's old Corolla we got rid of a few years ago...ran well (until the exhaust manifold cracked), garbage interior drove me nuts.
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Sounds like while you are on the side of the road waiting for triple A you are gonna be just happy as long as the family dvd/bluerays play while you wait for them :) I keed.

I don't think any of us old car guys have an attitude of "Why do those meddling kids need this when I don't need this"...that's far from it for me at least. On my end I'm just surprised how much people lose their shit over a part of a car that wasn't a significant part a few years ago. Like when I was buying really new cars in the late 90's, to early 2000's...I didn't give a car if Honda had a better head unit over GMC, or Toyota...because it was replaceable with a better option.

Even now there are so many better options cause of how fast technology is.

I personally would prefer a dummy console unit, save the $1200 a car manufactuer would charge you for GPS system, and just got a system that at least have bluetooth and just use my phone.


Out of curiousity where did toyota fail in your opinion? It sounds like you may have looked at some and their system didn't work well for you. So wouldn't this article excite you at the idea they are trying to improve upon it? Or is your decision already made that all future toyota's are horrible? I'm not suggesting anything btw, just curious. Marketing guy here.
 
BulletDust said:
Toyota's are bland as refrigerators. ;)
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indy-nuke-fridge.jpg


When the nuclear holocaust comes and the terminators are looking for john conner you can count me as the one's who will keep on fighting the good fight after surviving in my Toyota Fridgerator. I'll make sure to leave a gravestone up for you BulletDust that says "A good man, too bad his taste laid him to nuclear waste. Buy Toyota"
 
trentchau said:
Sounds like while you are on the side of the road waiting for triple A you are gonna be just happy as long as the family dvd/bluerays play while you wait for them :) I keed.

I don't think any of us old car guys have an attitude of "Why do those meddling kids need this when I don't need this"...that's far from it for me at least. On my end I'm just surprised how much people lose their shit over a part of a car that wasn't a significant part a few years ago. Like when I was buying really new cars in the late 90's, to early 2000's...I didn't give a car if Honda had a better head unit over GMC, or Toyota...because it was replaceable with a better option.

Even now there are so many better options cause of how fast technology is.

I personally would prefer a dummy console unit, save the $1200 a car manufactuer would charge you for GPS system, and just got a system that at least have bluetooth and just use my phone.


Out of curiousity where did toyota fail in your opinion? It sounds like you may have looked at some and their system didn't work well for you. So wouldn't this article excite you at the idea they are trying to improve upon it? Or is your decision already made that all future toyota's are horrible? I'm not suggesting anything btw, just curious. Marketing guy here.
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They came in behind the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. I like Toyota's reliability, and the Ford had an excellent feature set (and much more powerful engine) for what we were going to pay....BUT Honda is also very reliable, has a well made interior (and infotainment setup), and is reasonably quick for a large crossover SUV. It hit all the check boxes and I wanted the best bang for the buck.

And sure, if Toyota improved their infotainment setup AND interior quality, I'd check them out again if we're in the market for a new family car. Im not married to any particular brand and will buy whatever meets my own "bang for the buck" criteria. But unless the Honda is totalled like our last vehicle...it's gonna be at least a decade before that happens.
 
Grahamkracka said:
They came in behind the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. I like Toyota's reliability, and the Ford had an excellent feature set (and much more powerful engine) for what we were going to pay....BUT Honda is also very reliable, has a well made interior (and infotainment setup), and is reasonably quick for a large crossover SUV. It hit all the check boxes and I wanted the best bang for the buck.

And sure, if Toyota improved their infotainment setup AND interior quality, I'd check them out again if we're in the market for a new family car. Im not married to any particular brand and will buy whatever meets my own "bang for the buck" criteria. But unless the Honda is totalled like our last vehicle...it's gonna be at least a decade before that happens.
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Thanks for taking the time. I dont' deal with any of the brands, I'm always just curious what drives people to like or dislike what they go after. Most people I know who got either the Pilot or Oddysey for their family though talk about a shit ton of checklist being hit on how great they are for their needs. This isn't the first time I've heard really high praise towards the honda.
 
trentchau said:
Thanks for taking the time. I dont' deal with any of the brands, I'm always just curious what drives people to like or dislike what they go after. Most people I know who got either the Pilot or Oddysey for their family though talk about a shit ton of checklist being hit on how great they are for their needs. This isn't the first time I've heard really high praise towards the honda.
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It actually surprised me. It was at the bottom of my priority list until we test drove it. The fact a full size adult such as myself (at 250 lbs and 6'2") can sit in the third row with decent comfort was a big deal too.
 
Earlier this year I bought a Mk7 Golf R. First order of business was to physically remove the CarNet snitch box, add jumpers to get the car mic working again, then remove it from the gateway. Also disabled all the vehicle in motion locks. This car has 1 usb port. It supports mirrorlink, android auto, and car play. Haven't tested car play. Android auto and mirrorlink work but not without significant issues. I picked up an old Xperia Z3 which works well with mirrorlink and keep it plugged in all the time. For whatever reason AA will turn on BT and automatically connect so my pocket phone will not pair with the car. Stupid, however AA audio works seamlessly with car media player and voice commands work with the steering wheel button on long press. Mirrorlink is pretty seamless and actually mirrors the launcher on my car phone which is neat. You lose steering wheel control and app audio (waze, maps, whatever) will mute the car audio but never un-mutes it to resume whatever media was playing. They came close to making it seamless but it's still a half-assed kludge.

I wish current cars used more physical switches and knobs. Touch screens suck ass for audio and HVAC controls. Cars need more knobs. I miss the bass and treble control and fat mechanical switches.
 
WetMacula said:
Earlier this year I bought a Mk7 Golf R. First order of business was to physically remove the CarNet snitch box, add jumpers to get the car mic working again, then remove it from the gateway. Also disabled all the vehicle in motion locks. This car has 1 usb port. It supports mirrorlink, android auto, and car play. Haven't tested car play. Android auto and mirrorlink work but not without significant issues. I picked up an old Xperia Z3 which works well with mirrorlink and keep it plugged in all the time. For whatever reason AA will turn on BT and automatically connect so my pocket phone will not pair with the car. Stupid, however AA audio works seamlessly with car media player and voice commands work with the steering wheel button on long press. Mirrorlink is pretty seamless and actually mirrors the launcher on my car phone which is neat. You lose steering wheel control and app audio (waze, maps, whatever) will mute the car audio but never un-mutes it to resume whatever media was playing. They came close to making it seamless but it's still a half-assed kludge.

I wish current cars used more physical switches and knobs. Touch screens suck ass for audio and HVAC controls. Cars need more knobs. I miss the bass and treble control and fat mechanical switches.
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Car net snitch box?
I assume you know you can get an adapter for your steering wheel controls (not available for you situation I assume?)
 
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