AppRadio Central @appradio-blog - Tumblr Blog

URL Change

It's probably obvious that I lost interest in posting on this topic after the iPhone 5 challenges and my screen fogging issue. I won't be renewing the custom domain name, so for anybody still coming here for reference purposes change your bookmarks to http://www.tumblr.com/blog/appradio. The current URL expires in June.

Pioneer Posts iOS 6/iPhone 5 Compatibility Matrix

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.

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

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...

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 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 "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.

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

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

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

INRIX Traffic 4.1 Now Available

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?

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!

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?

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.

#apple #appradio #ios

2.56 Firmware Out in Europe. North America Soon?

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

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.

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