[TubeMan]

Toyota and Ford are teaming up to come out with their own software to link smartphone apps to the vehicle infotainment systems. this way, the industry won't be controlled by just Google (Android Auto) and Apple (CarPlay).

The new system is called SmartDeviceLink and it's said to become the standard which means it'll probably trickle down to Scion and their future models too.

Not sure how competitive their own systems will be when the mobile market is dominated by Google and Apple but we could see this in the Scion C-HR.

 

[CityWok]

Useful bit of tech but I doubt we'll see it in the Scion C-HR. Toyota will probably roll it out in models under the main marque first before adding it to Scion and that can take years. Ford is set to add it to their 2017 lineup so we could be seeing a later date for Scion.

 

[TubeMan]

Then what will Scion use for phone connectivity?

 

[Guy]

Ford is adding Android Auto and Apple CarPlay so I'm not sure exactly what is going on with Ford and Toyota trying to make their own system.

 

[CityWok]

Toyota has resisted offering Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto, citing safety and security concerns, while Ford is offering them as apps within its Sync connectivity system this year.

So Ford doesn't actually have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, they accessed through a sync platform.

 

[TubeMan]

As long as their sync system mirrors my mobile, I'm fine with it.

 

[SiR]

One downside with Android is they don't have updates as streamlined as Apple does, so that might be an issue with syncing these systems with our phones.

 

[TubeMan]

Streamlined as in how often it get's updated or how well it works? Because Apple ios updates are most, if not all the time rife with bugs.

 

[CityWok]

I think he's talking about the frequency of updates? I have an Android phone and it doesn't get updated all that much.

 

[SiR]

How often it gets updated. Not all devices around the world get updates at the same time.

 

[TubeMan]

Right now it's the marshmallow, the one before I think was lollipop but that was around the middle of last year? Not quite sure.

 

[SiR]

Not sure, i'm an apple guy. But from experience with old androids i noticed this to be the case.