Latest News on Android Auto

[Heymjo]

Someone posted the 2016 Genesis brochure on this forum. When I read it, I got very frustrated seeing no mention of Android Auto int he 2016 model. So I wrote the following e-mail to Ricky Lao, Sr. manager of product planning, with whom I have had frequent contact about Android auto:

Hey, Ricky. Someone posted the 2016 Genesis brochure online and I notice there is no mention of Android Auto, but there is talk of Siri Eyes Free. So are we NOT getting Android Auto after all? I hear the next car to get Android Auto is the Elantra. I don't understand why those of us who spent the extra money for your high end models are not being given a priority to get Android Auto. Shouldn't your high end customers be first in line? So are we getting Android Auto and when can we expect to get it? Let us know, please. This is getting very frustrating, especially because I just got the new Samsung Galaxy Note 5 in expectation of getting Android Auto. Otherwise, I would have gone with an iPhone to get Siri. Thank you.

Mike Ollins







His response was:

Hello Mike,

I can understand your frustration but as you can imagine, the development of a vehicle is complex and often dependent on other development timelines. That’s why, for example, in the case of Genesis, the new model launched with technology features that aren’t available on current Equus.

In a perfect world, the hierarchy of adoption of technology would cascade from the top models down but that is not always the case. Integrating technology into a vehicle development process is complex with so many integration points to consider. We have to ensure that the integration is above reproach as the risk of issues in driving a vehicle laden with advanced technology is several magnitudes of importance/risk higher than say updating your smartphone to the latest OS version (with its own inherent issues).

With technology, it is always a matter of chasing the new. I don’t mean to sound like a broken record but until anything is officially announced, speculation is just speculation.

Best Regards,
Ricky
Hyundai.jpg
Ricky Lao
Sr. Manager, Product Planning
Hyundai Motor America
10550 Talbert Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Email: rlao@hmausa.com Web: Hyundai.com Twitter: @Hyundai




So my take away is that we might not get Android Auto, whichj ticks me off. It might be a good idea, since his e-mail is incorporated at the tail end of his e-mail above, if more of you wrote to Ricky to demand action on getting Android Auto. I leave it up to you.

 

[accordn2ryan]

There isn't talks of Siri EyesFree, we already have it. Did you mean Apple Car Play?

 

[Heymjo]

No. The brochure, which is in another thread, t asks about the car's incorporating Siri Eyes Dree. There is no mention of Apple Car play or Android Auto.

 

[goochylittlepig]

I don't understand why they don't put it in the Genesis. It's the same thing as the Sonata. If it's coming after the 2017 Elantra, that's ridiculous.

 

[Heymjo]

Because the Genesis Ultimate has a 9.2" screen as opposed to the 8" screen in the Sonata, Elantra and lower trim models of the Genesis and the architecture is different internally. That requires a different patch to be able to get Android Auto to work with the system. I assume to minimize anger from consumers who have the 9.2" screen, they are waiting to do it all at once with the Genesis.

 

[Aquineas]

Because the Genesis Ultimate has a 9.2" screen as opposed to the 8" screen in the Sonata, Elantra and lower trim models of the Genesis and the architecture is different internally. That requires a different patch to be able to get Android Auto to work with the system. I assume to minimize anger from consumers who have the 9.2" screen, they are waiting to do it all at once with the Genesis.

This is a very good guess. The good news is, it's probably safe to assume that the Equus will be based on the 9.2 system (perhaps with a larger screen, but with the same OS). And the Equus probably won't launch without it, so at least it's in the works. What remains to be seen is whether they'll make it available retroactively on the already sold Genesis vehicles. I also have some questions on whether it's technically possible to provide Android Auto (or the Apple equivalent) update in isolation from a map update (I have suspicions that they won't be able to). Which means, we may have to pay for the update when it comes (which I will gladly do, because I never understood the recalcitrance about paying for map updates anyway).

 

[PMCErnie]

So, this is the latest thread about the latest news about Android Auto? Until the next latest thread?

 

[Curt@MSN]

NOT to add fuel to the fire but I see the 2016 Kia Optima is getting Android Auto and Car Play in 2016 (late introduction) which will be Kia's first vehicle with that technology.

It also got an optional around view camera system and the "Dynamic Bending Light (DBL)" headlight system which the new 2016 Hyundai Tucson has.

We can hope for the best with the Genesis and Android Auto. I don't think there is much question we'll see it at some point in the Genesis - I just hope they'll flash the existing hardware to run it - including the 9.2 DIS system in the Ultimate as that's what I am going to buy.

I really wish HMA would have done a truly "ultimate" version of the option packaging that would have had everything available on the current KDM car.

Link for the 2016 Sonata if you are interested in reading more about Android Auto/Apple Car play in it:

http://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/optima/2016

 

[Aquineas]

Despite your stated intentions, something tells me your post is going to add fuel to the fire .

 

[Nikgen]

I also have some questions on whether it's technically possible to provide Android Auto (or the Apple equivalent) update in isolation from a map update (I have suspicions that they won't be able to).

Android Auto (and Car Play) will have nothing to do with the Nav maps built into the Genesis system - it's an app that you will open up and it runs from your Android phone. It's only real tie-ins to the car are that is uses the car's display screen and controls (like DIS knobs/buttons).

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[Aquineas]

Android Auto (and Car Play) will have nothing to do with the Nav maps built into the Genesis system - it's an app that you will open up and it runs from your Android phone. It's only real tie-ins to the car are that is uses the car's display screen and controls (like DIS knobs/buttons).

I hear you, I'm just not yet entirely convinced that there won't be some firmware updates required in our cars to handle it.

 

[greekgeek]

Did anyone actually buy a luxury car on the the hope that sometime in the future an operating system will change?

 

[dirtyoldman]

Telsa owners crow about it all the time with their OTA updates, however, it can be a double-edged sword. Tesla is making major changes to the GUI in 7.0 so there is a chance that the UI may go from something you love to rather annoying with no way to revert.

 

[Monolith2001]

Telsa owners crow about it all the time with their OTA updates, however, it can be a double-edged sword. Tesla is making major changes to the GUI in 7.0 so there is a chance that the UI may go from something you love to rather annoying with no way to revert.

True but you also might get something you like a whole lot better instead of being stuck with something that just works or represents old and less efficient thinking. We have arrived at an age where tech and capability improve at a rate far faster than car buying habits. It would be nice to know that your car tech is not out of date six months to a year after purchase and that a car half the price you paid is less capable than a car half the price you paid.

OTA can be made optional on major updates which most car companies are less likely to push out given the cost and they really would rather you trade out every 4 to 5 years (if not sooner).

 

[goochylittlepig]

Did anyone actually buy a luxury car on the the hope that sometime in the future an operating system will change?

No, I held off buying a luxury car on the hope that it would be on the 2016 model, since it is already available on the Sonata. I don't understand irritating all the Genesis buyers instead of the few that have a different screen. At least that delay would have an actual reason.

 

[wasnt]

Did anyone actually buy a luxury car on the the hope that sometime in the future an operating system will change?

Yes, I did buy my luxury car and I assumed that there would be OTA updates, including Android Auto. That did factor into my purchase.

I also bought a Nexus phone and tablet because I assumed I would be getting the latest updates all the time. I work in IT and love getting the latest technological gadgets and software.

It's a new world we live in, where the younger troupe expects things like this.

 

[ksoze]

Yes, I did buy my luxury car and I assumed that there would be OTA updates, including Android Auto. That did factor into my purchase.

I also bought a Nexus phone and tablet because I assumed I would be getting the latest updates all the time. I work in IT and love getting the latest technological gadgets and software.

It's a new world we live in, where the younger troupe expects things like this.

If you are in IT you also know; things never ship on time, things are slowed up the more chefs are in the kitchen and buying for the future is a risky gamble at best in a world of multiple standards and vendors in the supply chain.

We are thankfully moving to a world where tech in the car is built and updated by tech companies (Apple, Google, etc.) instead of car manufacturers who are not very good at it and have no long term infrastructure to support it. That will take time to fully come about and actual delivery will always lag behind marketing. As soon as its out, it will already be on the verge of being superseded by the next big thing.

 

[amartz]

I'm sure Hyundai is working on the electronics for the 2017 and 2018 model years about now, and probably couldn't care less about the 2015 model any more.

 

[wasnt]

If you are in IT you also know; things never ship on time, things are slowed up the more chefs are in the kitchen and buying for the future is a risky gamble at best in a world of multiple standards and vendors in the supply chain.

Never said I disagreed or was upset over the delay. Just making a comment based on the response from greekgeek of, "Did anyone actually buy a luxury car on the the hope that sometime in the future an operating system will change?"

 

[goochylittlepig]

I'm sure Hyundai is working on the electronics for the 2017 and 2018 model years about now, and probably couldn't care less about the 2015 model any more.

i agree. i just hope they don't decide to roll out android auto for the mildly redesigned 2017 genesis and leave us 2015 and 2016 folks in the lurch. after saying it was coming soon when the 2015s came out.