New CarPlay/Android Auto Integration

Jamwllms · Post by **Jamwllms** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 11:32 am

Not sure how many among you keep up with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), but this year Volkswagen made its first ever appearance.

The main announcement was future integration of CarPlay and Android Auto systems into the current infotainment system, beginning sometime this year. Many of the reports talk of the US getting CarPlay, Android Auto and (finally) Mirrorlink at the same time, in the (new) MIB II system. These have generally referred to the Mk 7 Golf. Such articals also refer to Europe getting the integration of the two new services at the same time. Great news for all really.

Considering those of us with new Polos in Europe will already have the MIB II system with Mirrorlink (Activated or not), is it likely that adding these new interfaces is a case of some form of software/firmware update further down the line, as opposed to splashing out to replace the whole unit? It seems logical, but somehow also too good to be true.

I love the idea of Mirrorlink, but at present it is not compatible with my Android device, and I'd sooner wait and have Android Auto integration. Just a far easier way for me to use my phone for maps when I don't have my TomTom to hand.

Any thoughts? And anyone as excited for this as I am?

rsmagee · Post by **rsmagee** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:08 am

Yeah saw that and got very exited, but I have a feeling VWUK would never be so kind as to let people have it as an upgrade. I will pay good money if the option became available though.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:36 am

I saw photos like this from the CES showing VW's ideas on how their interiors were going to evolve:

It's probably my age, but to me, dashboards should be covered in dials and switches

Tank Montana · Post by **Tank Montana** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 1:41 pm

I'm not so clued up but does the Composition Media System come pre-installed with MirrorLink (so essentially, everyone has it), but then it just requires activation? If so, I can image this being the same with Android Auto and CarPlay, which for cars already out there, would become available to purchase and activate after a firmware update.

I highly doubt VW would require people to have to replace the whole unit for the fact most will not, given the price that would cost. They'd hopefully want to make it as simple as possible for dealers and customer as it's much quicker, safer and easier for everyone involved to do it through purely software. If this was the case, I'd image more people (including myself) would go for it. Imagine if they changed the whole unit, charged the customer, and then found out some phones were not compatible, much like what happened with MirrorLink.

This is with the assumption that the software doesn't require new hardware in the unit, something which I highly doubt it would as the developers would likely have to work within the bounds of what's already available. They too will also want people to adopt their software and the best way for doing so is by causing as little trouble as necessary and not costing an arm and a leg.

Jamesbluegt · Post by **Jamesbluegt** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:51 pm

Is the mirror link in the composition media player in the BGT 6c already then and just needs activation and is it comparable with iPhones then?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Doc_House · Post by **Doc_House** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 3:15 pm

Mirrorlink is preinstalled and requires an activation document to activate part number 5g0 054 830 not yet avaliable from VW Uk but is on German, Spanish and NZ websites as an option for all 6c's with discover or composition media.

TheFrog · Post by **TheFrog** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 3:18 pm

Doc_House wrote:Mirrorlink is preinstalled and requires an activation document to activate part number 5g0 054 830 not yet avaliable from VW Uk but is on German, Spanish and NZ websites as an option for all 6c's with discover or composition media.

I will probably get that then in a few months time once all the inevitable bugs have been sorted.

Jamwllms · Post by **Jamwllms** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:30 pm

Tank Montana wrote: Imagine if they changed the whole unit, charged the customer, and then found out some phones were not compatible, much like what happened with MirrorLink.

Luckily not a risk with these two interfaces, as ALL devices will be compatible, provided their OS is above a certain version. (Which is usually fairly low.)

I'd happily pay a bit to have Android Auto activated in my Polo!

vc-10 · Post by **vc-10** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 4:50 pm

Jamesbluegt wrote:Is the mirror link in the composition media player in the BGT 6c already then and just needs activation and is it comparable with iPhones then?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mirrorlink isn't compatible with iPhones, and I doubt it ever will be. It's currently compatible with a bunch of Android phones. I had a Sony Z1 which had it for a while until I crushed it in the car door (oops) and the HTC One M8 (Android, not Windows version), and I think some of the Samsung stuff should work. Microsoft have shown Mirrorlink running on Windows Phone, with a similarly altered interface for the car a bit like Android Auto or CarPlay too, but it's not out yet and I'd expect it'll be part of the Windows Phone 10 upgrade which should be announced on January 21st.

Re that Golf R- please no. HVAC system need buttons, damnit!

If the whole lot could be enabled by a software update, even if it costs a few quid, that would be awesome.

UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum