Toyota Adds Apple Car Play To One New 2019 Model, But What About Android Auto?
Toyota has added Apple Car Play to its most recently updated vehicle, but will Android Auto users be left waiting? It appears that way.
The New 2019 Toyota Avalon will feature Apple Car Play integration as part of the newest version of Entune 3.0. Toyota's description of the new audio and infotainment options for the Avalon are a bit difficult to decifer, so we will copy the text unedited here for our readers; "A JBL performance audio system is standard on Limited and Touring grades and is available on XLE and XSE grades. XLE and XSE passengers can listen to crisp tunes on a standard 8-speaker system having Entune 3.0 Audio Plus with Connected Navigation Scout GPS Link App and Entune 3.0 App Suite Connect, featuring new in-vehicle third-party applications. Apple CarPlay is standard on all grades."
We added the bold highlight at the end to draw attention to the Apple Car Play integration. Since this is such a big change for Toyota, we reached out to our contacts at the company and it has been confirmed that Apple Car Play is indeed included with the Avalon.
Unfortunately, we have also confirmed that Android Auto is not. Yet. Perhaps it will appear at some later date. Why Apple would roll out just Apple Car Play and leave out Android users is a mystery. Android users make up a larger percentage of the smartphone market than do Apple users. Android phones from Samsung own 53% of the market with Apple at about 44%. Globally, Samsung and Android capture over 80% of the mobile market.
Apple users will be thrilled to hear the news that Toyota is trending its way with new products. Scout Navigation integration is still available, though it is unclear why unless it is for Android users. Scout receives poor reviews at almost every site it is ranked.
Hopefully, Toyota is on the path to joining all other major automakers in making both Android Auto and Apple Car Play available on its popular models like Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Prius and Sienna as they are updated to receive the same Entune system the new Avalon uses.
Image Note: Image is from Apple and does not show the Toyota system.