CarPlay - Aftermarket Head Units for NZ

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firefuze

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#146660 25-May-2014 15:02

Apple's CarPlay compatibility doesn't list NZ http://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/#applecarplay-applecarplay

Does list Australia however..

Does anyone know how using a AU CarPlay compatible head unit in NZ would have any affect? Im assuming its only regarding voice dictation languages or maybe related to Apple Maps content..

Looking at getting the new Pioneer AVH-X8650BT which Pioneer AU has listed as getting the CarPlay firmware update this Winter.. I could get one out of AU but can get one much cheaper else where that come out of Thailand, my question is (maybe a bit far fetched) If I get the same AVH-X8650BT out of Thailand is it still going to get the CarPlay firmware update...? Reason I ask is Pioneer Thailand site does not list any information regarding CarPlay, but then again it isn't listed on Apple's website as a compatible country either.

I don't think Pioneer region their units as such? (other than DVD Region, which in this case both countries are the same)

Anyone else done research in getting a CarPlay compatible head unit for their cars?

Edit: add more detail

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#1053427 26-May-2014 11:17

that'd be cool, as long as they werent too expensive.

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ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1053429 26-May-2014 11:19

Just a word of warning; wait until the unit is demonstrably working with CarPlay before committing. It happens constantly, where manufacturers promise a firmware update to support something new and it doesn't eventuate on time, or at all.

hamish225

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#1053432 26-May-2014 11:23

just looked up the current price, no thanks :P

http://www.topaudio.com.au/pioneer-avh-x8650bt-car-dvd-stereo-player-bluetooth-hdmi-in/

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PhantomNVD

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#1058943 3-Jun-2014 22:48

notably in IOS8:

"a new hands-free mode for activation, (just say, "Hey Siri")" [thoughonly when plugged in to charge(?) ]

wouldnt this work out to be exactly what 'carplay' would do anyway?

i have a USB charge/link in a cheap Phillips Head unit, and if Siri can be voice activated, and respond/answer/dictate directly, played through speakers.... am i missing something here???

magu

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BitSignal

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#1130107 16-Sep-2014 17:39

Just got a new car and am tempted to get the unit from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXkM-LBEG8A

Anyone got any good/bad info on it?

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dickytim

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#1130380 17-Sep-2014 06:13

I am looking into Carplay head units, as said above buy one that already has the feature, that way you can go to a bricks and mortar shop and see how the integration works.

Personally I am waiting on the Alpine unit, I figure it will be around a year before it gets cheap enough for a base DVD type unit.

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magu

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#1130413 17-Sep-2014 08:34

PhantomNVD: notably in IOS8:

"a new hands-free mode for activation, (just say, "Hey Siri")" [thoughonly when plugged in to charge(?) ]

wouldnt this work out to be exactly what 'carplay' would do anyway?

i have a USB charge/link in a cheap Phillips Head unit, and if Siri can be voice activated, and respond/answer/dictate directly, played through speakers.... am i missing something here???

Presumably, CarPlay allows you to operate some apps on the phone through the head-unit's touchscreen display. It also integrates well with steering-mounted controls.

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firefuze

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#1130414 17-Sep-2014 08:34

I went ahead and purchased this unit about a month ago, AVH-X8650BT (goes by other names in different regions) and absolutley love it. It is a very nice unit, its very quick and responsive unlike a lot of very sluggish models I have experienced in the past. Its highly customizable as well. Change the boot logo, main wallpaper and different wallpaper while music is playing, can even create your own animated wallpaper to display when music is playin, backlight colour customizable. Although CarPlay isn't available yet Pioneer do have AppRadio Live which I currently use and mimics the CarPlay functionality (pulls up Apple Maps, Facebook (not that I need that while driving), Notifications, Speedeo, Calendar, Contacts, iPod etc). Pioneer are still advertising their models including this one to have CarPlay support so not concerned it wont be released.. from reading the rumour mills it seems to be Apple holding the 3rd party manufacturers back, considering iOS8 hasn't been publicly released yet its no surprise CarPlay firmware updates haven't been released yet either.

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#1130415 17-Sep-2014 08:36

dickytim: I am looking into Carplay head units, as said above buy one that already has the feature, that way you can go to a bricks and mortar shop and see how the integration works.

Personally I am waiting on the Alpine unit, I figure it will be around a year before it gets cheap enough for a base DVD type unit.

From what I can gather, people who bought the unit from Pioneer are still waiting on the fabled firmware update, promised for "summertime" (in the US). This would mean September. Pioneer has remained silent about it.

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magu

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#1130418 17-Sep-2014 08:40

firefuze: I went ahead and purchased this unit about a month ago, AVH-X8650BT (goes by other names in different regions) and absolutley love it. It is a very nice unit, its very quick and responsive unlike a lot of very sluggish models I have experienced in the past. Its highly customizable as well. Change the boot logo, main wallpaper and different wallpaper while music is playing, can even create your own animated wallpaper to display when music is playin, backlight colour customizable. Although CarPlay isn't available yet Pioneer do have AppRadio Live which I currently use and mimics the CarPlay functionality (pulls up Apple Maps, Facebook (not that I need that while driving), Notifications, Speedeo, Calendar, Contacts, iPod etc). Pioneer are still advertising their models including this one to have CarPlay support so not concerned it wont be released.. from reading the rumour mills it seems to be Apple holding the 3rd party manufacturers back, considering iOS8 hasn't been publicly released yet its no surprise CarPlay firmware updates haven't been released yet either.

Cool, thanks for that info! It does indeed seem like Apple has put the aftermarkets in an arm-lock until the Sept. 9 event.

Are you in Auckland by any chance? I'd love to see the unit working.

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

mrchillie

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#1130443 17-Sep-2014 09:04

Can I ask where you purchased that unit from? I'm quite interested in getting my hands on one.

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firefuze

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#1130823 17-Sep-2014 16:50

Can I ask where you purchased that unit from? I'm quite interested in getting my hands on one.

I got it off eBay, (User: possiblesound?) was the cheapest place to get it from. Was $970NZD delivered. No one in NZ stocks them. Can get them from TopAudio in Australia from the link in my OP but they were much more expensive and expensive shipping to NZ also.

Cool, thanks for that info! It does indeed seem like Apple has put the aftermarkets in an arm-lock until the Sept. 9 event.

Are you in Auckland by any chance? I'd love to see the unit working.

In Hamilton im afraid, if you ever head down this way happy to show you.