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Hyundai Now Offers an Android Car, Even For Current Owners
An anonymous reader writes: Looking more like a computer company than a car company, Hyundai ships Android Auto on 2015 Sonatas and unlocks it for owners of the 2015 Sonata with a software update. Says the article: To enable Android Auto, existing 2015 Hyundai Sonata owners outfitted with the Navigation feature can download an update to a USB drive, plug it into the car's USB port, and rewrite the software installed in the factory on the head-unit. When the smartphone is plugged into the head-unit with a USB cable, the user is prompted to download Android Auto along with mobile apps. Android Auto requires Android 5.0 or above.
That sounds like a good description of how I'd like my car's head unit to work -- and for that matter, I'd like access to all of the software.
Modern appers app roads with apps!
Apps!
I have a 12 year old BMW with an integrated navigation system. It works very well indeed. It is simple to use.
What I hate about the newer model BMW's is that the UI has become extremely complicated. It is not any easier to use and I actually find it slower.
I'm not convinced at all that things are improving.
I tried that and got a virus, and now every time I pass through a McDonalds, the car automatically maneuvers through the drive through, generating a "referral" fee for the virus writer. You have to order SOMETHING so you don't look like an idiot. Do you KNOW how many McDonalds there between Greensboro, NC and Charlotte? A lot, I will tell you that. I've gained 20 pounds in the last week.
Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!
Sorry - don't want an advertising company's software in my car. I have a Sonata for sale.
...I'd like access to all of the software.
Given the current state of security in "smart" automobiles, who would want to be able for anyone to plug something into the USB port of the car's entertainment system and completely update the software for the car?
.
Isn't that just asking for your car to be hacked?
Finally, people can get a safer ingress scanner!
Do you think that Mozilla's Firefox OS would be a better OS for these in-car systems?
It's already the most open mobile OS around, because it's built on the best open standards around, like JavaScript, HTML and CSS.
It's also fast, because it's built upon Firefox technology, which is among the fastest there is.
The UI is also simple and sleek. Lots of seniors use Firefox and love it. If the UI works for them, then it will work for everyone.
Android may have more apps, but Firefox OS is top notch better in so many other ways.
The driver may get distracted enough when a malware pops up a porn site on the car's screen.
Come to think of it, that was the malware I remember i.e. that for Internet Explorer 5 and 6. I kind of miss porn malware.
What about update authentication? Is this signed update? If not, get ready for malware, MitM and all other kinds of nastiness.
We bought a 2015 Dodge Journey Blackout Edition. Now I like the 280+HP but the in dash/navigation is shit. Navigation went out 6 months into owning the car. Went to the dealer three times for "firmware updates" which they say must be downloaded on a car to car basis as they are serial number specific :rolleyes: The downloads/upgrades failed three times and were told had to wait for new update so come back next time. On the third time they got a fuck you when we come back you're installing a new unit.
The unit was installed but now the volume on the unit only goes to 38 previously it went up much higher (although the audio only sounded good up to 36-38max) and the 38 level is now closer to 34-36 on the broken unit.
There's still a bug in the dash unit. If you are using usb as the source, when you stop the car while audio is playing, turn the car off and open the rear hatch the unit resets the play location to the first file on the usb drive. There are a couple of combos of this LOL.
by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
I'll wait for an iCar,tyvm. It just works.
[Fervently scratches neckbeard]
To fix bluetooth issues such as "next track" button not working and phone disconnecting on car startup? Track name is not even displayed on the LCD.
When it comes to the software that makes a car a car, things shouldn't be so simple that even an idiot could do it.
Yes, I'm all for revoking copyright- and DRM from such software, but it should be a little more regulated than "plug and play."
Here is what I would recommend:
1) Use a standard, very simple, well-understood, non-patent/copyright-encumbered interface like a serial port or, if they aren't encumbered, existing car diagnostic ports.
2) Allow "anyone" to upload software that is "signed" by the manufacturer and for which the manufacturer will take full responsibility for. This is so Joe SixPack or any shade-tree mechanic with the hardware to access the diagnostic port can install factory-authorized software updates such without having to go to the dealer (think "your car has been recalled due to faulty software, here's the patch if you want to install it yourself rather than driving in to the dealership").
3) Any user who chooses to blow a hardware "fuse" can install any software he wants to without permission from the auto-maker, BUT prior to driving the vehicle on the public road he must register his car as an "experimental vehicle" and he assumes complete responsibility for it from that point on. Not only is the warranty void but he inherits the legal liability from the automaker if any mechanical or computer failure causes anyone any injury or death. Why? Because maybe there is a latent bug in the air-bag-sensor computer that, thanks to a different bug in the main computer's factory firmware, is never reached. A few days or weeks after the customer loads his own software into the main computer, the air bag bug rears its ugly head and someone dies because an air bag didn't deploy or deployed when it shouldn't have.
4) A dashboard indicator would show that the fuse had not been blown and it would be illegal to cause the indicator to come on if the fuse had been blown. The absence of this indicator would alert the driver that either he had a faulty indicator light or that he was driving an experimental vehicle.
Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
To enable Android Auto, existing 2015 Hyundai Sonata owners outfitted with the Navigation feature can download an update to a USB drive, plug it into the car's USB port, and rewrite the software installed in the factory on the head-unit
So if you thought you would be using your phone to replace the expensive navigation package, think again.
The roads have changed a lot in 12 years. I don't know if BMW is better than other mfgs but my experience has been that 4-5 years is about the longest they will support new map updates and they are quite expensive.
like i can with IOS? i can have music playing via some app and run a nav app and the music will cut out for the voice to remind me of the next turn
galaxy note 3 i can't listen to pandora or spotify or google music through the USB port in the car
I'm not convinced Android belongs in any vehicle, given the security issues. Am I wrong.
Android auto is currently only supported by certain handsets, but they won't tell you which ones. They only say that it requires a handset running android 5 or greater, but that isn't the only requirement. Furthermore, certain handsets have certain functionality crippled. I'm an early adopter, and I enjoy the pioneer headunit as a great stereo, but I am still unable to run the android auto part.
You might say the Infotainment system runs Android, but I'm pretty sure all the important parts of the car don't run android, or any operating system, because... you know, it's a car. However if that thing has access to the CAN bus... ugh.
At least it isn't fucking Windows. "Please do not turn off your car while it updates" "Installing 1 of 11,234......"
Ford GM and Chrysler will never EVER let you do this. They hate open standards. Hell GM is trying to get congress to say you dont own your car.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
Self parking car runs over pedestrians because "owner" didn't pay for "pedestrian detection"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
http://www.independent.co.uk/l...
The most amusing part is the dullard just stood there when it is evident the vehicle is going to fast to stop.
"If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."
In the BBS days, pressing X (eXpert) got you a prompt and it was up to you to know what each letter did.
We need the ability to choose the complexity/options level of our interfaces. Especially car and OS ones.
I come here for the love