Mazdas Infotainment System Finally Gets CarPlay
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
Lincoln P
I believe the reason for the new USB port is the Apple authentication system. Theres a special chip that is needed for the MFI (made for iPhone) function to kick in on the iPhones. I have an 18 Mazda 6 and got the free upgrade in September. Overall Im pretty happy with Mazdas implementation, but it has a couple things that bother one. Most of them are not completely negative--i. e, in CarPlay mode, the NAV button will open Apple Maps, which is nice. However, Id love to be able to set that to open a third party mapping app (Google Maps, etc. As mentioned in the video, using the wheel with CarPlay can be somewhat counter-intuitive. My biggest gripe is the Ask Siri for more while driving prompt when scrolling through long lists while driving. If you have a very large playlist, you only see about 15-20 songs, then the list is truncated and you are told to use voice control to listen to anything you dont see on the screen. I get what they were going for (keeping your eyes on the road, but it presents a problem for me with things like spoken word playlists, podcasts, etc. I cant always remember what the exact name of the track/podcast episode I want to listen to is, so I have to remember to queue it up before I hit the road. Strangely, it wasnt like this in my previous car that also had CarPlay support; I could scroll through a list with hundreds of entries while driving.
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I believe the reason for the new USB port is the Apple authentication system. Theres a special chip that is needed for the MFI (made for iPhone) function to kick in on the iPhones. I have an 18 Mazda 6 and got the free upgrade in September. Overall Im pretty happy with Mazdas implementation, but it has a couple things that bother one. Most of them are not completely negative--i. e, in CarPlay mode, the NAV button will open Apple Maps, which is nice. However, Id love to be able to set that to open a third party mapping app (Google Maps, etc. As mentioned in the video, using the wheel with CarPlay can be somewhat counter-intuitive. My biggest gripe is the Ask Siri for more while driving prompt when scrolling through long lists while driving. If you have a very large playlist, you only see about 15-20 songs, then the list is truncated and you are told to use voice control to listen to anything you dont see on the screen. I get what they were going for (keeping your eyes on the road, but it presents a problem for me with things like spoken word playlists, podcasts, etc. I cant always remember what the exact name of the track/podcast episode I want to listen to is, so I have to remember to queue it up before I hit the road. Strangely, it wasnt like this in my previous car that also had CarPlay support; I could scroll through a list with hundreds of entries while driving.
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k domster
Once you get use to using control knob It is by far more intuitive and ergonomically in perfect position when driving, once you start leaning even just a bit from driving position you get out of sight of side and rear view mirrors range, also are not is best steering wheel control positon. Control knob gives drivers more time to be in perfect position to decide or make emergency maneuver if needed. Not to mention smeary and greasy fingered LCD screen looks bad. There is a reason why premium and lux cars use these control knobs. Sorry but Accords, Camrys, Altimas, Passats, Fusions, and no other car in midsize not to mention compact car brings this feature to cars this inexpensive. It is yet another unique aspect where Mazda offers more than others.
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Once you get use to using control knob It is by far more intuitive and ergonomically in perfect position when driving, once you start leaning even just a bit from driving position you get out of sight of side and rear view mirrors range, also are not is best steering wheel control positon. Control knob gives drivers more time to be in perfect position to decide or make emergency maneuver if needed. Not to mention smeary and greasy fingered LCD screen looks bad. There is a reason why premium and lux cars use these control knobs. Sorry but Accords, Camrys, Altimas, Passats, Fusions, and no other car in midsize not to mention compact car brings this feature to cars this inexpensive. It is yet another unique aspect where Mazda offers more than others.
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SignalStream
Alex: Thanks for your review. I got some info about CarPlay on Mazda, but maybe not enough. For future videos, and based on titles like these, could you focus on the main Topic? In this case CarPlay on Mazda. Mazda owners are already familiar with the Infotainment system, but not CarPlay in their Mazda. Your not the only reviewer to do this exact same thing. Thank goodness you did not go into reviewing the car. Is there so little to be said about CarPlay on Mazda that unrelated features have to be added to extend the video? Other than that good vid. Either way Ive made an appointment to have it installed, so maybe Ill create a Video and post it with no fluff.
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Alex: Thanks for your review. I got some info about CarPlay on Mazda, but maybe not enough. For future videos, and based on titles like these, could you focus on the main Topic? In this case CarPlay on Mazda. Mazda owners are already familiar with the Infotainment system, but not CarPlay in their Mazda. Your not the only reviewer to do this exact same thing. Thank goodness you did not go into reviewing the car. Is there so little to be said about CarPlay on Mazda that unrelated features have to be added to extend the video? Other than that good vid. Either way Ive made an appointment to have it installed, so maybe Ill create a Video and post it with no fluff.
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Skippy Scheizengruber
Im underwhelmed. Im shopping for a new car right now and have been waiting for Mazda to sort this out, only to be disappointed by the poor integration and Mazdas bizarre refusal to allow users to use the system as they see fit while moving. If this is the best they can do, Ill be buying something else. Im not trying to start an argument, thats a simple fact. A lot of my driving, unfortunately, is in city and rush-hour traffic, so better phone integration is an important criteria in my car-buying choice. Others do it better while still making a good car, and theyll get my money.
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Im underwhelmed. Im shopping for a new car right now and have been waiting for Mazda to sort this out, only to be disappointed by the poor integration and Mazdas bizarre refusal to allow users to use the system as they see fit while moving. If this is the best they can do, Ill be buying something else. Im not trying to start an argument, thats a simple fact. A lot of my driving, unfortunately, is in city and rush-hour traffic, so better phone integration is an important criteria in my car-buying choice. Others do it better while still making a good car, and theyll get my money.
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Atlantic Picture
In most cases the control knob is faster, easier and less distracting to use while driving. You can do it blindfolded, while you have to look a the screen/fingers using the t. screen while youre not doing 85 at 55 on the DC beltway, trying to adjust the volume, or change the track playing. Some already realized this (Honda, Lincoln, Cadillac)Glad Mazda is doing it, but they need to catch up bc adding Android A and Apple C should have been done years ago, and most of the software is still outdated and has limited functionality.
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In most cases the control knob is faster, easier and less distracting to use while driving. You can do it blindfolded, while you have to look a the screen/fingers using the t. screen while youre not doing 85 at 55 on the DC beltway, trying to adjust the volume, or change the track playing. Some already realized this (Honda, Lincoln, Cadillac)Glad Mazda is doing it, but they need to catch up bc adding Android A and Apple C should have been done years ago, and most of the software is still outdated and has limited functionality.
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Justin Fontaine
Infotainment in the Mazdas is solid. The wheel set up works. Its why BMW and Audi have used it for years. I rarely use the touch screen. I just bought a 2018 CX-9 GT and had them retro-fit the Apple car play as part of the deal. The whole system works fine with the Mazda head unit. Waze works great, Spotify, Google maps. All good. This completes this Mazda set up and its now on par with much of the competition. Mazda factory Nav is as good as any Ive seen lately but youll never use it with Carplay so who cares now.
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Infotainment in the Mazdas is solid. The wheel set up works. Its why BMW and Audi have used it for years. I rarely use the touch screen. I just bought a 2018 CX-9 GT and had them retro-fit the Apple car play as part of the deal. The whole system works fine with the Mazda head unit. Waze works great, Spotify, Google maps. All good. This completes this Mazda set up and its now on par with much of the competition. Mazda factory Nav is as good as any Ive seen lately but youll never use it with Carplay so who cares now.
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deming xie
If you have a 2018 Mazda vehicle, you can plug in your phone into the USB socket with the phone arrow, you will have Apple car play, IDK for Android auto. You will have to keep it plugged in or you will lose car play, and it will return to default Mazda settings. And if you are a big fan of good sounding music, always plug your phone into the system with a wire(aux or USB, wired connections gives better audio signals than bluetooth/wireless. Or you can wait till near end of 2018 for fully integrated ACP and AA.
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If you have a 2018 Mazda vehicle, you can plug in your phone into the USB socket with the phone arrow, you will have Apple car play, IDK for Android auto. You will have to keep it plugged in or you will lose car play, and it will return to default Mazda settings. And if you are a big fan of good sounding music, always plug your phone into the system with a wire(aux or USB, wired connections gives better audio signals than bluetooth/wireless. Or you can wait till near end of 2018 for fully integrated ACP and AA.
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J Zoolander
500 in Australia, they are Fkn dreaming. Mazda is this how you treat your customers? We buy your cars and get our car serviced at your dealerships. You should never have moved the USB hubs from the central storage bay. I dont want the hardware upgrade, I just want the software. I love my SP25 but I wont be back next vehicle I buy if this is how you treat your customers. I was also very disappointed with your Proprietary wiper blade refills that cost 70. What a joke.
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500 in Australia, they are Fkn dreaming. Mazda is this how you treat your customers? We buy your cars and get our car serviced at your dealerships. You should never have moved the USB hubs from the central storage bay. I dont want the hardware upgrade, I just want the software. I love my SP25 but I wont be back next vehicle I buy if this is how you treat your customers. I was also very disappointed with your Proprietary wiper blade refills that cost 70. What a joke.
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Isaac DeJong
I own a 2016 Mazda6 and I find Mazdas infotainment set up far superior than competitors. Sure you cannot use the touch screen and it has less features, but it is FAR less distracting than competitors. Ive used systems from Ford, Chevy, and Kia, and while driving, I found myself hunting for buttons and not paying attention to the road. With the Mazda system, I can make changes without looking. The system is tactical and far superior in the not-distracting sense.
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I own a 2016 Mazda6 and I find Mazdas infotainment set up far superior than competitors. Sure you cannot use the touch screen and it has less features, but it is FAR less distracting than competitors. Ive used systems from Ford, Chevy, and Kia, and while driving, I found myself hunting for buttons and not paying attention to the road. With the Mazda system, I can make changes without looking. The system is tactical and far superior in the not-distracting sense.
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Valor_X
There are already DIY guides with pics and videos on Youtube for those that want to install it themselves without going to the dealer. It basically involves swapping out the USB Hub as Alex mentioned and running a cable to the infotainment screen, then finally updating the software. If you are savvy and can take some panels apart its pretty simple otherwise youd be better off going to the dealer but I wonder how much they would charge.
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There are already DIY guides with pics and videos on Youtube for those that want to install it themselves without going to the dealer. It basically involves swapping out the USB Hub as Alex mentioned and running a cable to the infotainment screen, then finally updating the software. If you are savvy and can take some panels apart its pretty simple otherwise youd be better off going to the dealer but I wonder how much they would charge.
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