Develop Bugs

Question - Would you buy the o2 Orbit AGAIN?

Hi
I seem to see a lot of issues witht he Orbit/HTC Artemis.
I was about to buy one so wondered 'if you were buying again TODAY would you buy this phone or another?'
Cheers.
Robin

Why not?
You are sking about Orbit/Artemis, but I believe the guys with the O2 version are the most affected by the bugs The P3300 etc. have shiped ROMs available so it is easy to restore when in trouble. The lesson here should be not to start messing around with your device if you are not in possession of the original ROM.
I have been very happy with my device and would buy again, only I am waiting for the HTC Advantage. When we start tweaking that too we will have the wailing and gnashing of teeth if people do not take precautions

Once I managed to get the P3300 Rom on my Orbit it's been a much better device.
Previously I had a I-Mate K-Jam (Wizard) and the main downside I had with it was the size of thing when it was in my pocket. I don't even notice the orbit meaning that it can now be my all the time phone instead of just my weekday phone. Previously at weekends I found myself changing the Sim Card to a smaller phone when I didn't care about having the extra features.
But if I was buying now I'd wait and see what happens with the WM6 upgrade (if it comes along).

I would buy again - not had any problems with my standard Orbit
No problems with the storage card. TomTom working well

This may be a bit off topic but it is just to erritterate what "victoradjei" said... I remember when the Magician was quite new and users who started tweaking intensively encounterred a lot of problems and I was at first very scared to buy it. I eventually bought one and waited until hacks/tweaks were reliable. As of today my Magician works well.

I would buy it again, too.
The CPU is a bit slow, but I knew it before.
Everythings works for me.

I have the P3300 and I didn't mess around with the ROM or use any tweaking programs.
It does what I want it to do - so I see no point trying to turn it into a super computer.
Bottom line is I am happy with my choice - then again, my last phone was a Nokia 6100 and that was pretty high tech for me at the time also.

I didn't buy mine (part of my job entails maintaining over 1500 O2 UK smartphones so I get to play with a few of them), but the Orbit is easily the best iteration I have used so far.
The best as in form factor and it-is-a-phone-after-all usability/battery life, responsiveness and reception quality (no 3G or keyboard are not concerns for me).
So to OP, definitely (until the next FOTM arrives)

Definately yes - THE only thing that will tempt me away is apples iphone..... Which I hope someone will make a BT GPS unit to work with it.
On the orbit The only really annoying thing I find (having now hacked the Stereo BT to work, and tweaked Today interface) ... is the camera is cr*p ....it only works outdoors, no macro, autofocus - beaten by ANY sony E !!!

I must admit it is the iPhone I am waiting for but I need a phone in the meantime..
Robin

The only issue I see is that with mSD cards going garbage.
Apart from that, I never had any problems (and if you do ... well ... it is Windows agter all !!!).
I would definitely buy another P3300, especially if there will be an updated version with mSD fix, a faster CPU and some more built-in storage. WM6 would be cool.

Robster said:
I must admit it is the iPhone I am waiting for but I need a phone in the meantime..
Robin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why ?
Its bulky, no 3G, can't load 3rd part applications, no GPS, only 8gb for music (I need at least 30gb otherwise I need to pick each day what I put on), suspisious battery life.

colonel said:
why ?
Its bulky, no 3G, can't load 3rd part applications, no GPS, only 8gb for music (I need at least 30gb otherwise I need to pick each day what I put on), suspisious battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to get off of the subject, but my wife gave me the Creative Labs NOMAD Jukebox Zen (USB 2.0) one year for X-Mas.
Since then, I have taken out the 20gb laptop drive in there and replaced it with a 60gb drive
It seems like the since the iPod came along - having very limited storage space that cannot be upgraded without tossing out the old one and buying a new one - it set a trend in the rest of the market.
I look around the shops once in a while and see how mp3 players went from 60gb off the shelf now only hold a few gigs at the most for the same price.
Now this brings up the question:
Is the iPhone going to drive the technology backwards like the iPod did for the mp3 players making end user lose out in the end?

This could run and run
Although the iPhone can't do anything my Orbit can't, I am very impressed with the form factor and user interface of the iPhone - if it works as slickly as the demos suggest.
Similarly, my Nomad JB3 40Gb does a lot of things that my early iPod Photo 60Gb simply can't do - but the NJB is just such a crude device to operate in comparison to the iPod.
At the end of the day they are only products to be marketed, and for the majority of consumers the i*** interface and form factor are an easy sell.

allenf said:
This could run and run
Although the iPhone can't do anything my Orbit can't, I am very impressed with the form factor and user interface of the iPhone - if it works as slickly as the demos suggest.
Similarly, my Nomad JB3 40Gb does a lot of things that my early iPod Photo 60Gb simply can't do - but the NJB is just such a crude device to operate in comparison to the iPod.
At the end of the day they are only products to be marketed, and for the majority of consumers the i*** interface and form factor are an easy sell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is my favourite type of discussion. off-topic of course ....
my counter-argument to you is why the macbook is a tiny minority. Sure its slickly marketed, looks cute and has a nice interface (although - kill me - i kind of like vista . Buts it has no pcmcia card (so my 3G card can't be used), is heavy (5lbs vs, say 4lbs for a toshiba U205) and ir overpriced. most people are more intelligent then the marketers, which is why some fish are snagged (i.e. the macbook sells at all) but most people who want a cool small laptop still go for a samsung or sony. and most sensible people get the £400 15" basic .....

Now we are WAY OFF TOPIC.........
I am intrigued by Colonels comments, I bet he has never used a Mac for real?
Many people are forced to use a PC for work but I know many people who have been PC users for years and finally tried a Mac for home use and would not go back to a PC again.
But back to my original question. )
Robin

[HOT ROD]Future of smartphones.....we are the change we seek.

I am about to share some insight. I need Google to listen as they will be developing the future of smart phones. We need Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and HTC to get this too. They make our wonderful hardware. Lastly, we need you. Only you can make it happen.
Here is some example of the problems. I bought a Harley. I have increased the performance through adding performance exhaust and a high flow intake. I also added a new seat and forward controls because of my height.
Now take my desktop computer. Instead of using the on 20" monitor I upgraded to a 24" after I purchased it. It was laggy so we opened it up and added a stick of ram. Shortly later we ran out of some space so we got a hard drive that was faster and had twice together capacity. The new Windows 7 dropped and as fast as I could purchase it I was installing.
Now comes the present state of our smartphones. We have great phones for just long enough to see a press flier to launch the new best thing. My idea will change the industry. It will create jobs at home. It could really change the whole thing.
I will be using various examples. The first is the Epic touch by Sprint but applies to other carriers. We all know this phone has a Wimax capable modem. What if we could go to Best Buy and my the new LTE modem be right there for the purchase. I am stuck for another year in this contract but I am very eager to take advantage of the improved speeds.
Next you see they are making 720p screens. Do I want LCD or Amoled? Once I decided I run over to the geek guy squad to install. I also get a warranty just for my screen.
An extra gig of ram so I don't lag as bad on the latest racing game. If that didn't do the trick maybe it's time for a better CPU.
We call it Hot Rodding. This could be the future. You want a specific clone. You can build it yourself.
We change from asking what phone you have to saying, "Hey, what's under the hood.
At the end of our 2 year contract are phones are still up to date and easier to sell.
We still buy complete phones from manufactures. They still carry feature phones that are kept original. But there premium phones sell according to their trim line like on cars. Very much like desktop computers.
The market could be huge. Sells will increase across the board. Companies no longer will be out on 60 percent of the customers who are under contract. If they have a new CPU launching on a new phone before most customers couldn't even purchase it. Now even the ones stuck in contract can give Samsung money to upgrade their phone's components.
Android could end fragmentation. Your phones just needs certain requirement for the upgrades.
Imagine the possibilities. Best Buy and geek squad would be set. But you will once again see the boom of the local computer store.
The current phone manufactures will do great too. You might only sell them a phone every 2 years. But, they can keep it upgraded for the life of the contract.
Businesses who manufacture and sell accessories will do wonderful. They don't have to worry about case changes ever year on hundreds of models. Their overhead would go down dramaticaIly. If you are tired of that 4" screen phone. It looks like you can buy a new case and screen. All your other hardware will transfer.
If you want a phone and you take a lot of pictures maybe you will just need a better camera and video card.
The initial cost of the phone might be more. But, now it is more like buying a car and less like buying a dozen eggs with a short shelf life. If your phones motor blows out you can take it to the shop or buy the part on eBay/Amazon and do it yourself after reading the instructions.
I will update this in the morning when my brain is clear and I am not as tired. I would love to here your input. Together we can construct the perfect essay to distribute to the companies.

Seriously? I'm sure this is something that has crossed the mind of these companies before and I'm pretty sure what you're suggesting would not be profitable or logistically sound.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Very interesting
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

It would be a HUGE phone! The reason phones are small and powerful is that they are designed from the ground up as one unit. If you want a new camera how will it attach? How will the existing hardware interface deal with the new signal. Look into why the S3 doesn't have a quad-core processor in the US. The System On Chip (SOC) makes what you know and love as a phone possible but it doesn't allow you to swap pieces like a PC.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

It's an interesting idea, but this mean a complete rewrite of android from scratch I believe and will make fragmentation even worst than it is right now Also there is no good profit for the OEM.
But it could be awesome to have a customizable smartphone (hardware)

Omar04 said:
It's an interesting idea, but this mean a complete rewrite of android from scratch I believe and will make fragmentation even worst than it is right now Also there is no good profit for the OEM.
But it could be awesome to have a customizable smartphone (hardware)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would only require the OS to be compiled with a set of standard drivers for most hardware. Kinda like windows and it's generic drivers.
I would definitely love to have the ability to interchange parts like ram, gpu, cpu, screens, cameras, speakers, leds...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Several companies have tried this with laptops over the years and they all flopped. It is a good idea but nearly impossible to execute in cell phones. Manufacturing costs simply need to be reduced so contracts are no longer needed. Like computers did mid 2000's cell phones seem to be hitting a plateau where they cant get much better/faster/different than people want. There is honestly nothing that cant be done on E4GT platform except for lte.

Deleted. Wrong thread
Sent using an AOKP'd ET4G courtesy of Times_Infinity!

Your obviously young op. Hardware isn't that easy as a computer for phones. The ONLY possible thing that can happen is if a third party company makes things to replace on your phone. (Of course better things) or even they design a phone that's all for upgrading its core components. However even that will need to be replaced just like phones within months. Just look at computers. Things develop extremely fast these days. No matter what the idea isn't effective for company's.
At least not yet in the limit of hardware we have today.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

You don't get it. These companies benefit from the hype of the newest phones coming out. It makes our phones look like they are less than they actually are and we feel like we need the newest thing out out on the market. These companies feed off of our weak, pathetic minds to profit themselves. Don't get me wrong, I adore your idea, I am just absolutely sure that it wont make it.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Totally impractical. You're trying to take an entirely different marketplace and apply it to smartphones. It doesn't work that way. I promise you your idea has been thought of before, and many of the reasons mentioned in this thread are why it'll never go farther than the idea stage.

ydoucare said:
Totally impractical. You're trying to take an entirely different marketplace and apply it to smartphones. It doesn't work that way. I promise you your idea has been thought of before, and many of the reasons mentioned in this thread are why it'll never go farther than the idea stage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree.. Its always good to have options but it will never be the android market.. Google wouldnt allow that lol.. I use other markets before googles for a number of reasons.. Ideas are what make reality, without them we wouldnt be where we are at now. Not to mention in such a short time
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

Also wanted to add to the op.. What if they created one device to start that the manufacturer developed new parts for that specific device which the owners had to purchase the parts they wanted to upgrade? It would be a test run and if profitable would increase there base.. Why not? Even be able to purchase new cases for other hardware? It would be profitable and all us technology buffs would have a blast.. Its putting it in motion that is the hardest.. The idea is great.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

This should be the future of smart phones
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

It's a novel idea but I don't see it happening unless the manufacturers and carriers can find a way to milk us for all it's worth. If you must have the latest and greatest all the time your options are buy off contract or buy out of your existing one.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

Great idea. I actually had a similar one a while back when I was still rockin' my G2. I also thought about maybe an XDA phone. However, there seems to be a stale air floating around XDA as of late when it comes to "why not". Everyone wants to knock ideas that are far fetched. I doubt Android would be the way it is now if unlocking a locked/encrypted bootloader was too "far fetched". Or overlclocking a phone was pointless.
Some ideas you have are very practical. The screen and camera being a couple. Something like the processor would be difficult given current build methods but all that would take is a very minor redesign of the way it connects to the board. Also they would need to discontinue the use of the SOC model. RAM would be easy as long as it's separate from the SOC also and the connections are redesigned.
This of course would take implementing industry standards like we see in computers with SATA and PCIe. Until that happens, this idea isn't going to take off. Now there's the issue of size that was brought up. That's a non-issue really. Let's take an sdcard for example. Swappable RAM couldn't be that small? I don't see why not because an sdcard is swappable and it's small. It also has a lot of memory - 64GB+ on something smaller than the nail on your pinkie. Sure some things might increase in size a little but nothing that would cause us to carry around Zack Morris phones again. We're talking a millimeter or so at the most.
The main issue with any of this is having it catch on. No company is going to start doing it on it's own. You'd have to create a company and make phones which would cause the competition (minus Apple) to adopt this methodology also. Anyone have lots of money or really good credit?

A few problems with that theory. One, it assumes that the average person know how to replace RAM, CPU, screen, etc. Two, it assumes that the average person knows how to use basic tools and actually has the tiny tools necessary to work on a phone, and the capability or know-how to actually disassemble the device and know what to replace. Not to mention the fact that the phone's tiny connectors are easily damaged by improper handling. The problem of lacking standards has already been mentioned. But the biggest problem is size. You are very wrong if you think that making everything replaceable will not make the phone significantly bigger. Let me give you an example: I still have an 8 year old Dell laptop, on which I was able to replace the CPU to upgrade it. It was a large computer and had a socket for the CPU that made it easily swappable. On my current macbook pro, the CPU is soldered to the board, and the only thing I can replace myself is the RAM and HD. I swapped the HD for an SSD. On the macbook air, everything is soldered and not replaceable. Essentially, to make things as small as possible, you have to permanently attach as many things as possible AND use as many proprietary components as possible. You can't use many standardized components if size is an issue. While this is a good idea in theory, it is absolutely impossible in practice and would not result in increased sales if implemented. It would result in a bulky device leaving most people questioning why they should buy this over the competition. And then they will go and buy the competition. If you want more people to buy Apple, institute this. Hell, given that option, I'd buy Apple myself.

kc_exactly said:
Once I decided I run over to the geek guy squad to install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You lost me right here. I wouldn't trust any of them boiling water, let alone with my phone.
Sent from my sprint Samsung galaxy s2 Epic 4g touch with ics using cm9 on the blazing slow now network

sputnik767 said:
A few problems with that theory. One, it assumes that the average person know how to replace RAM, CPU, screen, etc. Two, it assumes that the average person knows how to use basic tools and actually has the tiny tools necessary to work on a phone, and the capability or know-how to actually disassemble the device and know what to replace. Not to mention the fact that the phone's tiny connectors are easily damaged by improper handling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How many "average" people do you know that swap out computer components? No assumption here at all. This would be a thing only for enthusiasts - like installing a high end graphics card, water cooling, 16GB of RAM, a new motherboard, moving to Ivy Bridge, and so on.
No "average" person goes much beyond swapping out a monitor at best. Maybe installing more RAM if they're feeling really froggy.
The reason for size in a desktop is due to the wires and a lot of time, cooling requirements. In a phone there are very few wires running all over the place, no fans to route them around. No CPU heat sink to worry about melting wires. The HDD and optical drives are large and require space along with, you guessed it, more wires. RAM stands vertically and it's large by todays standards. Desktops are not made with simple upgrades in mind. They are made to allow the user to add to them. Well most anyway (remember Gateway and Compaq?).

KCRic said:
How many "average" people do you know that swap out computer components? No assumption here at all. This would be a thing only for enthusiasts - like installing a high end graphics card, water cooling, 16GB of RAM, a new motherboard, moving to Ivy Bridge, and so on.
No "average" person goes much beyond swapping out a monitor at best. Maybe installing more RAM if they're feeling really froggy.
The reason for size in a desktop is due to the wires and a lot of time, cooling requirements. In a phone there are very few wires running all over the place, no fans to route them around. No CPU heat sink to worry about melting wires. The HDD and optical drives are large and require space along with, you guessed it, more wires. RAM stands vertically and it's large by todays standards. Desktops are not made with simple upgrades in mind. They are made to allow the user to add to them. Well most anyway (remember Gateway and Compaq?).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are purposefully making an upgradeable device, you are automatically sacrificing size. It's a fact that to make devices as small as possible, which is most ideal in a portable device, there can't be room for upgrades. If you look at the current ultraportable notebooks (Apple and otherwise), they generally have non-replaceable components. There's just not enough room for connectors and sockets in those devices. So, to make such a device successful, it has to appeal to the average person, not the enthusiast market. Only few companies can market a product to enthusiasts, and it generally involves hand-made cars for half million dollars each. And simply put, there's really no need for such a device. A computer is one thing, but your phone is something that gets used and abused on a regular basis. And by the time your contract expires, technology is so far ahead that upgrading would be as useful as maxing out the RAM on an 8 year old computer. If you look at the most successful gadget company out there, it would be Apple. Like them or not, their success is undeniable. Underlying that success is the theory of providing a quality product that appeals to the average customer. And that's key. Even if you could keep the exact same size but make it upgradeable, there is absolutely no way that you will ever have market out there that would warrant such a device. I'm not going to spend $200 on a phone and drop hundreds of dollars more on upgrades, only to have a worthless device 2 years down the line when the contract expires and you're due for an upgrade. And lastly, most people do not have time to tinker with their phones. We have enough things to worry about, and most of us want a device that works well out of the box, and is sufficient until time to upgrade. From what I can see, only two companies actually realize this simple concept. One is obviously Apple, and the other is Samsung. I can honestly say that the E4GT is just about perfect out of the box, if only Sprint kept their hands off of it and did not load it down with crap.

CARTFT Smartphone Uplink touchscreen interface (like mimicz, appradio, arliberator)

It was time for a new car, so I had originally planned to have an AppRadio2 installed and use AR Liberator, then discovered that pretty much all new cars (or at least the ones we needed to consider) make it almost impossible to replace the head unit with all the controls and sensors tied to it.
I then ran across mimicz, which seems to be struggling with credibility, apparently months behind promised delivery dates.
Just found http://www.cartft.com/catalog/il/1597 today, surprisingly little chatter about it
Not sure I would bother with it, but it's interesting at least. Anyone have any knowledge?

have the product in hand.works great with my razr

TOYOTA ENTUNE plus and use of google maps app. possible?

just got a 2016 toyota camry sE , spec edition with Entune Audio Plus package that includes an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen, satellite radio and HD radio.
is there any way to have google maps app work with this system? toyota says no, but there should be a way as other app function with this android integration system. I am currently using a note 3 on verizon and planning on a nexus 6p
as my next phone. the note 3 pairs well for phone and audio. works well with "approved apps" google maps is not approved.
Can google maps be connected to work with toyota entunes plus?
thanks for any ideas or suggestions. i am not real literate so you may need to dumb down your ansers and tell me the type of person who might be able to help me. i am in miami, fl.

I'm pretty sure the answer is No.
Unless you add/change to an aftermarket headunit like Pionerr 4100NEX that supports Android Auto...
Most other auto OEMs are now or soon(-ish) supporting Android Auto and Apple Carplay, which provide navigation, music, messaging and hands free phone calls.
Toyota seems to be the last major holdout. But since just about every other car company is or will be supporting these Google and Apple "infotainment" systems, I think Toyota will have to as well, eventually...
Beyond this, you could mount a phone or tablet in your car, while being careful not to breach the distracted driving laws in your location.

Unfortunately Toyota continues to keep their head buried deep in the sand and market the Entune "FRUSTRATION" system as a real solution for Infotainment.
They will be following the pack to use Ford Sync sans Android Auto or Apple Auto. their strategy is to keep driver distractions to a minimum and frustration to the maximum.
As a new owner of a 2016 RAV4 Hybrid, (and my last Toyota), I have made numerous calls and sent numerous emails regarding the uselessness of Entune. I can use a Phone hanger on the screen and attach my phone and get much better performance since Entune neglected adding WiFi capabilities to the unit and Cell service thru Blue tooth is required for any "INFOTAINMENT" with the exception of XM, that does not work well either.
I am visiting the lying dealer that sold us the RAV4 this morning they claim they can make some adjustments to Entune to make it more palatable..
IMHO Entune is a lost cause, Voice recognition does not well at all, Navigation requires far to many button pushes and the constant nagging voice and commentary for every turn renders the system more than frustrating. The fact Navigation should be called NaviLost as it seldom find any accurate route to travel.
I could rant on for hours, call Toyota and email your complaints if enough Sucker, I mean buyers complain they may eventually listen.
Thanks for listening..
++++++++++++++++Update++++++++++++++++
The Toyota Dealership could not anything but a full reset, still no change in Voice recognition dysfunction.
I am working directly with Toyota on the issue, I have requested a refund for the cost of the entune system. will update this thread once I have more information.
E-Mail call and bug Toyota to get Entune working. you may get some traction.

I too want to bash the stupid entune system. 2016 RAV4 hybrid limited, love everything about the car except the headunit.
1) they screw up the polarization of the display by 90 deg. When you put on polarized sunglasses, the screen is dimmed out compare to the display between the speedometer.
2) voice recognition is slow and retarded. > Half of the time it guesses wrong.
3) it will freeze on you occasionally and you have to hold the power button to reboot
4) USB support sucks. no playlist support, no search by folder
5) JBL greenedge is lame...bass is not rich even with the subwoofer. My prius with JBL kicks ass in comparsion.
6) And of course they lock you out of destination input while driving...but why can't I search POI via voice while driving? (same as my prius though)
These are just off top of my head, I am sure there are more...

lettcco said:
I too want to bash the stupid entune system. 2016 RAV4 hybrid limited, love everything about the car except the headunit.
1) they screw up the polarization of the display by 90 deg. When you put on polarized sunglasses, the screen is dimmed out compare to the display between the speedometer.
2) voice recognition is slow and retarded. > Half of the time it guesses wrong.
3) it will freeze on you occasionally and you have to hold the power button to reboot
4) USB support sucks. no playlist support, no search by folder
5) JBL greenedge is lame...bass is not rich even with the subwoofer. My prius with JBL kicks ass in comparsion.
6) And of course they lock you out of destination input while driving...but why can't I search POI via voice while driving? (same as my prius though)
These are just off top of my head, I am sure there are more...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 2015 Prius V- trim 5 and DON't even get me started on the navi/entune system. Everyday I can't imagine they EVER attempting a product test and have this thing ever "pass." All I can say is be grateful... grateful you didn't buy your vehicle a year earlier. The 1st gen of that headunit would randomly turn off at daytime temps above 75F. Toyota put out a TSB and the entire cluster%^&* took 3 months in supplier (Panasonic) delays in fixing. FYI - check your map date... it should be at least a year old. They update them in the fall and for you to get it updated I've hear it costs HUNDREDS of $$ @ the dealer...just to load an SD card.
Miralink would definitely fix your problems so as far as a solution...
I have found 2 wiring options but tried none as of yet.
A company called CRUX makes an adapter to free up the A/V input and allow A/V inputs to be ran while vehicle is in motion (VIM)
The adapter for my vehicle - and likely yours - is part # VIMTY-05 (I'd post direct links but I'm not sure about url rules... it should be easy to find). $100
I've also found a company out of Russia called "car-solution" that supplies a similar product with part # 843116 that should do something similar as well. $45 + shipping (select HK warehouse, not EU)
From there both kits should allow you to connect a 12VDC miracast w/ analog a/v inputs and allow you to connect Apple/android devices via wifi.... these are commonly available on Amazon/ebay for $60-$100 range
Total cost to do it yourself should be less than $200.
Both option will likely void some warranty... just like going aftermarket... and as I mentioned before... I haven't verified it YET. MY frustration is getting to the point I might make this a project this week.

oldman_58 said:
Unfortunately Toyota continues to keep their head buried deep in the sand and market the Entune "FRUSTRATION" system as a real solution for Infotainment.
They will be following the pack to use Ford Sync sans Android Auto or Apple Auto. their strategy is to keep driver distractions to a minimum and frustration to the maximum.
As a new owner of a 2016 RAV4 Hybrid, (and my last Toyota), I have made numerous calls and sent numerous emails regarding the uselessness of Entune. I can use a Phone hanger on the screen and attach my phone and get much better performance since Entune neglected adding WiFi capabilities to the unit and Cell service thru Blue tooth is required for any "INFOTAINMENT" with the exception of XM, that does not work well either.
I am visiting the lying dealer that sold us the RAV4 this morning they claim they can make some adjustments to Entune to make it more palatable..
IMHO Entune is a lost cause, Voice recognition does not well at all, Navigation requires far to many button pushes and the constant nagging voice and commentary for every turn renders the system more than frustrating. The fact Navigation should be called NaviLost as it seldom find any accurate route to travel.
I could rant on for hours, call Toyota and email your complaints if enough Sucker, I mean buyers complain they may eventually listen.
Thanks for listening..
++++++++++++++++Update++++++++++++++++
The Toyota Dealership could not anything but a full reset, still no change in Voice recognition dysfunction.
I am working directly with Toyota on the issue, I have requested a refund for the cost of the entune system. will update this thread once I have more information.
E-Mail call and bug Toyota to get Entune working. you may get some traction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this thread trying to solve the same problem for the same car. No solution. Entune and Toyota's navigation and voice system is an abomination. Similar threads on forums for all model that offer the system.

CalypsoDroid said:
Found this thread trying to solve the same problem for the same car. No solution. Entune and Toyota's navigation and voice system is an abomination. Similar threads on forums for all model that offer the system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pushed back hard and got an 8 year platinum warranty at no cost. I e-mailed everyone I could find at Toyota and finally got national sales to get involved.
The dealer offered to buy back the car at very big loss... At any rate The Toyota engineers indicated the unit is working as designed... When I can get the cash together I will be replacing that abomination of a "Infotainment" system.

This is interesting.
Just got a 2016 Highlander Limited Platinum AWD for the wifey and was thinking about this. OEM i know toyota won't do this. Coming from Jeep forums as i have a 14 JGC there are a few hacks. But someone has to do it. And the hack is part software and there is an adapter you have to connect at the back of the radio. Meaning you have to get behind the Dash. Luckily for the GC getting to the back of the radio is simple as you need to simply remove the trim around the radio and ac vents, unscrew a few screws, unplug a few things and plug in the adapter. The adapter is straight plug and play and enables the text input while driving, provides video for up to two video outputs for cam or anything you want to play on your head unit. I have it and set it up with a push 2 tv so i can mirror my android screen.
Will need to speak to them and see if they can get into the entune system. Its really based on demand though. I'm sure its not cheap to do so.

2018 And nothing has changed.
What a huge bungle on Toyota's part. My 2018 Highlander XLE with the "Premium" Entune is still abysmal. Toyota is giving everyone a good reason to my a Honda.

oldman_58 said:
I pushed back hard and got an 8 year platinum warranty at no cost. I e-mailed everyone I could find at Toyota and finally got national sales to get involved.
The dealer offered to buy back the car at very big loss... At any rate The Toyota engineers indicated the unit is working as designed... When I can get the cash together I will be replacing that abomination of a "Infotainment" system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you give me a call or text me please? similar issue... 614-446-9725

You must move to the UK to send google map directions to a Toyota
bob52r said:
just got a 2016 toyota camry sE , spec edition with Entune Audio Plus package that includes an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen, satellite radio and HD radio.
is there any way to have google maps app work with this system? toyota says no, but there should be a way as other app function with this android integration system. I am currently using a note 3 on verizon and planning on a nexus 6p
as my next phone. the note 3 pairs well for phone and audio. works well with "approved apps" google maps is not approved.
Can google maps be connected to work with toyota entunes plus?
thanks for any ideas or suggestions. i am not real literate so you may need to dumb down your ansers and tell me the type of person who might be able to help me. i am in miami, fl.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on a YouTube video (which I'm not allowed to post, because I'm new here) , if you live in the UK, it is possible to send google map directions to a Toyota navigation system. I guess Toyota USA is not smart enough to do this.

Why are all headunits KitKat?

Why are virtually all android head units 4.4.x? I was looking at several options for my Evo and up until recently 95% I found was 4.4.4 pretty much. Joying recently came out with a 5.1 2DIN unit which I may end up with. I am also looking for some sort of dual/piggy back system (need to retain full functionality of the stock unit) in my 2016 Jeep Cherokee and came across this guy : http://carperformance.se/?product=uconnect-8-4-android-system . I've emailed back and forth with the sweedish guy that does it, responses are obviously not the best translated but it also uses 4.4.4 and he said it will not be updated in the future. Considering this is 2-3 years old I'm confused why it's still so heavily used in new devices. Is there some benefit it offers, is there wider hardware compatibility, or what? I really like the carperformance product, price is high, but on par for that of a new phone. However, I can't see dishing out money for a 2-3 year old OS that will never be updated, and then in 1-2 years stop getting app updates because its no longer supported. I'd consider getting the unit and digging into it to see what can be done, but I have to imagine there's a reason/limitation that he can't update it so it may be a waste of money. If I could find a way to duplicate what he's done with the touch screen switching board I'm sure I could come up with an android box running a more recent OS, but that may be another thread.

the.root said:
Why are virtually all android head units 4.4.x? I was looking at several options for my Evo and up until recently 95% I found was 4.4.4 pretty much. Joying recently came out with a 5.1 2DIN unit which I may end up with. I am also looking for some sort of dual/piggy back system (need to retain full functionality of the stock unit) in my 2016 Jeep Cherokee and came across this guy : http://carperformance.se/?product=uconnect-8-4-android-system . I've emailed back and forth with the sweedish guy that does it, responses are obviously not the best translated but it also uses 4.4.4 and he said it will not be updated in the future. Considering this is 2-3 years old I'm confused why it's still so heavily used in new devices. Is there some benefit it offers, is there wider hardware compatibility, or what? I really like the carperformance product, price is high, but on par for that of a new phone. However, I can't see dishing out money for a 2-3 year old OS that will never be updated, and then in 1-2 years stop getting app updates because its no longer supported. I'd consider getting the unit and digging into it to see what can be done, but I have to imagine there's a reason/limitation that he can't update it so it may be a waste of money. If I could find a way to duplicate what he's done with the touch screen switching board I'm sure I could come up with an android box running a more recent OS, but that may be another thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you looked at this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...ashnet-octa-core-lollipop-head-units-t3353188
Also here to s a touch controller.
http://www.customgadz.com/shop/mimics-lt-enhanced-touchscreen-controller-for-android/

adfurgerson said:
Have you looked at this thread?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...ashnet-octa-core-lollipop-head-units-t3353188
Also here to s a touch controller.
http://www.customgadz.com/shop/mimics-lt-enhanced-touchscreen-controller-for-android/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not seen that specific thread, looks like a decent HU, will consider it for my one car where I don't need the factory unit. I guess my question would be better stated "why up until recently is all HU's KK". Still 95%+ of them. They are just really slow to adapt and most of them won't get updates. I just don't really get how it's still a marketable item. Maybe all apps will keep supporting KK for another 5+ years, I don't know. I doubt it though.
I had briefly looked at the mimicsLT but as far as I can tell it doesn't actually switch between two devices, it just bridges an android box to a touchscreen and gives some input options. I like the mimicsX2 but it's been outdated for a while, they've been saying a new version is "coming soon" for a while. I'd prefer a dedicated android box (that's 5.x or 6.x) over a mirror but I'd probably be fine either way.
I was considering getting the CarPerformance one and seeing if I could somehow hook my own android box into it or upgrade his, I feel like it's just going to be too much work or just not possible at all, and too much money sunk into it.
Just don't get why the car world for android is still so small, and why it's stuck on KitKat (I doubt there's been any new phones with KitKat for 1-2 years now). I was hoping there was a good answer and it was somehow hardware compatibility related or something, but maybe not.
Thanks for the response!