Introduction:
Toyota and Lexus vehicles will be receiving an over-the-air update to address a key flaw in their touchscreen infotainment system. The update will permanently dock the menu icons on-screen, allowing users to easily switch between Apple CarPlay and the car’s native infotainment menus with just a tap. This update comes as a solution to a common complaint among users who found it frustrating to navigate between different functions while using Apple CarPlay. Let’s delve deeper into this upcoming update and its implications for Toyota and Lexus owners.
Toyota and Lexus will be rolling out an over-the-air update to all vehicles equipped with the current infotainment system, which made its debut in the redesigned Lexus NX and later extended to both brands. This update will be applicable to all screen sizes, ensuring a seamless experience for users across different models. While a specific schedule for the rollout was not disclosed, the scope of this update confirms that it will address a longstanding issue with the infotainment system.
The current Toyota and Lexus infotainment system lacks a quick way to exit Apple CarPlay and access the car’s native menus. Unlike previous models that had a physical “Home” button, the new system required users to navigate multiple menus to switch between different functions. This oversight led to frustration among users, prompting the need for a permanent docked menu bank that offers a direct route to essential features like radio, phone, navigation, and vehicle settings. The over-the-air update aims to correct this flaw and enhance the overall user experience.
Toyota Tacoma chief engineer Sheldon Brown played a crucial role in advocating for the addition of a permanently docked menu bank in the infotainment system. Brown highlighted the importance of addressing user feedback and ensuring a seamless transition between Apple CarPlay and the car’s native functions. With the successful implementation of the update in the Tacoma model, Toyota demonstrates its commitment to improving the user experience through innovative solutions like over-the-air updates.
While the upcoming update focuses on addressing the escape problem with Apple CarPlay, Toyota has not provided any information regarding a similar update for Android Auto. Both platforms face the same challenge of switching between different functions seamlessly, and users have expressed the need for a solution across the board. It remains to be seen if Toyota will extend the update to Android Auto in the future, offering a comprehensive solution for all users regardless of their preferred operating system.
The over-the-air update for the infotainment system marks a significant improvement in the user experience for Toyota and Lexus owners. With a permanently docked menu bank, users can easily navigate between Apple CarPlay and the car’s native functions without any hassle. This update reflects Toyota’s commitment to addressing user feedback and enhancing the overall usability of its vehicles. As more manufacturers embrace over-the-air updates, we can expect to see continuous improvements in infotainment systems and other onboard technologies.