AppRadio Central

Pioneer Posts iOS 6/iPhone 5 Compatibility Matrix

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:16:29 -0400

Here’s the link: http://links.pioneer-usa.mkt4730.com/ctt?kn=3&ms=Mzk4ODMyODcS1&r=Mjg1NTg5OTQxMDgS1&b=0&j=MTYyODQxNjE0S0&mt=1&rt=0

As suspected, many functions are not supported on the iPhone 5 with the AppRadio head units.

ESCORT Live Ticket Protection Come To AppRadio

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:13:23 -0400

ESCORT Live Ticket Protection Come To AppRadio

Why the iPhone 5 isn't going to work with AppRadio

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 20:23:25 -0400

Read this and you’ll get the distinct idea it’s not possible with the current AppRadio head units as they use video out: http://gizmodo.com/5943125/that-stupid-ass-expensiviphoneadapterntsupport-video-and-ipod-ou

So I Ordered My AppRadio Replacement...

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 21:14:58 -0400

I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore! Maybe I’m really more fatigued and sorry that my predictions came true, but I’ve had enough either way.

A little over a year ago, I was excited about the concept of AppRadio. I loved the idea of a reasonably priced head unit with a big screen exposing all the great apps on your iPhone for easy in-car use. However, it’s become increasingly obvious that for whatever reason, Pioneer is intent on limiting users to a handful of apps and perpetuating an inconsistent, often confusing and generally unfriendly user experience.

The last straw for me was the clouding of my screen which makes the display pretty much unreadable in bright sunlight. Also, my Bluetooth connection had become inconsistent such that some callers could not hear me. I’d become tired of working around other issues as well, though. The annoying parking brake notifications and requests to launch the AppRadio app were getting old too.

I wanted a way to integrate phone calls, navigation and traffic with my car without spending a ton of money and the AppRadio seemed like a good fit for that at the time. I still want that and, surprisingly, there still aren’t a lot of good options out there.

Based on reviews of the Clarion Next Gate this seems like AppRadio all over again. Apps need to be coded to work with their API and this limits choice. The Devium Dash is neat, but doesn’t give me that much over a good mount and an aux input and the new iPhone will require a new tray.

So what did I do? I ordered a Belkin Aircast from Amazon for a bit more that $50. It will connect to my iPhone with Bluetooth and my stereo through the aux input. I’m keeping my ProClip mount and this morning I reinstalled my OEM head unit. The new iPhone will likely have a slightly larger screen which will help for in car use and I’m hoping for an improved Siri implementation. This will let me use all the apps I love in the car without going through the AppRadio “filter” that limits what I can use on its screen and adds other baggage. I’ll still miss the big screen, but at least my smaller one won’t be foggy.

For the curious, here what my AppRadio screen looks like now. As...

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 08:23:05 -0400

For the curious, here what my AppRadio screen looks like now. As you can see, it’s almost 100% “fogged” over and has many of those finger tip size splotches.

Well, just after the warranty expired, I started getting some...

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 21:50:00 -0400

Well, just after the warranty expired, I started getting some “fogging” of my AppRadio screen. This photo was taken right after it started in July. Now, the entire screen is covered making it basically unusable in direct sunlight.

Those splotches you can see aren’t finger prints either it’s something on the inside of the display. Thanks, Pioneer, for yet another consumer device that self destructs right after the warranty is up.

Between, this, my frustrations with the lack of apps and the expected new iPhone coming later this month, my AppRadio experiment may be coming to an end.

INRIX Traffic 4.1.1 for iOS available now.

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:41:01 -0400

INRIX Traffic 4.1.1 for iOS available now.

Waze 3.2.2 adds AppRadio support. Exciting news for AppRadio...

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 17:35:05 -0400

Waze 3.2.2 adds AppRadio support. Exciting news for AppRadio owners and those with new Pioneer head units with Advanced App Mode.

We're Back Up At AppRadioCentral.com

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 09:49:34 -0400

Not sure why that took so long, but we’re back up and the blog is responding at appradiocentral.com again. Sorry about all the confusion in the past days!

Update: INRIX Traffic 4.1 Update Fixes AppRadio Parking Brake Issue

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:26:24 -0400

4.1 does fix the issue. It’s safe to upgrade as you can now use the app when moving as designed. It’s a very worthwhile upgrade too, so go grab it if you haven’t already!

INRIX Traffic 4.1 Now Available

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 06:25:31 -0400

The description of the update seems to indicate they’ve fixed the parking brake lockout issue. I’ll let you know after this morning’s commute.

Commentary: Will Pioneer Ever Fix The AppRadio Firmware?

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:06:28 -0400

This has been broken since 2.45 came out and this is the second firmware update that does nothing to address it. I wrote this about 2.50 and it’s still true:

Firmware 2.50 has not fixed the issue where when you start the car, you cannot use any app until you cycle the parking brake. This was broken with 2.45. If you’re using an wiring harness adapter as I am that uses vehicle speed to send that parking brake signal, then you can’t use MotionX, INRIX, etc. until you move the car and you have to click on OK after you come to your next stop to continue. I thought the idea was to prevent YouTube, Netflix, etc. while in motion, not the apps that have been approved for use!

If I’m honest with myself. I don’t have a lot of hope that Pioneer will ever fix this. Given all the new warning that pop up on the AppRadio 2, I believe Pioneer has gone overboard here and it’s by design.

Apologies For The Disruptions!

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:29:23 -0400

Sorry, folks! I misread an expiration notice that led to the domain expiring earlier in the week. Once that was resolved, for some reason my registar decided to switch our DNS A record back to the default so appradiocentral.com no longer pointed to my blog provider. That should be fixed now and once things sync up we’re all back to normal.

Will In-Car Siri & Revamped Apple Maps With Navigation Negate AppRadio?

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:03:33 -0400

Today at Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference, they laid out the features of the forthcoming iOS 6. These include replacing Google Maps with an in-house app that includes turn-by-turn navigation, traffic and some slick 3D maps. Apple also noted that they’ve been working with multiple auto manufacturers to put a Siri button on the steering wheel. Will developments like this make devices like AppRadio less attractive to many consumers? Time will tell.

2.56 Firmware Out in Europe. North America Soon?

Tue, 29 May 2012 13:07:53 -0400

I don’t know for a fact what this fixes, but I’m hoping the parking brake interface! We’ll see if it hits the local Pioneer websites later this week.

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/support/software/SPH-DA01/index.html#download_255

AppRadio App Updated to 1.7.1 for iOS

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:59:55 -0400

According to Pioneer, “This version fixes a critical bug reported on the SPH-DA01”. It also fixes inconsistent icon display issues. Grab it from the App Store.

Don't Update To INRIX 4.0 Unless You're Parking Brake Lockout Is Overridden

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:50:45 -0400

The good news is that the new UI is fantastic! It’s fast, it’s streamlined, etc. The bad news is you can’t use it AT ALL when your car is in motion. You only get a black screen that says ”Function Unavailable While Driving”, but there’s no way to select any other function and it comes up no matter what screen you’re on when the parking brake is taken off. I’ve contacted INRIX and hopefully we’ll have a fix soon.

Of course if Pioneer’s lawyers would just eliminate all their stupid overrides and nagging messages we wouldn’t have to worry about this sort of thing. Until there’s an update you won’t want to upgrade unless you’ve worked around the existing parking brake lockout.

INRIX 4 for iOS Update Now Available

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:28:08 -0400

My favorite app has a major update available now on the App Store. INRIX promises the Android update is on it’s way. The interface looks to have gotten a major overhaul. More info after I get to try it out on the commute home with my AppRadio.

Report Says in Four Years Most New Cars Will Be Smartphone Enabled

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:46:18 -0400

Forbes has an article reporting on analyst research projecting that by 2016 most new cars will have smartphone integration built into their respective standard or optional head units. There’s no mention of AppRadio, but there is some discussion of MirrorLink which we’ve mentioned before. It’s worth reading.

Will The Scion FR-S Have An OEM AppRadio?

Wed, 09 May 2012 09:28:29 -0400

The Truth About Cars has a pre-production review of the Scion FR-S sports car and indicates that their car had an AppRadio installed. It will be interesting to see if Scion does indeed put the AppRadio in production cars. It sounds like they have their own app, BeSpoke, for it, so this may be more likely than it sounds.