If you head over to Pioneer's Android Auto page, there are plenty of illustrations that show screenshots of the software in action. Pioneer introduced Android Auto support at CES 2015 last week but announced it would be available only on three upcoming NEX receivers: AVIC-8100NEX, AVIC-7100NEX and AVH-4100NEX.
The illustrations on Pioneer's website show Android Auto on a current generation AVIC-8000NEX. Granted the images are simulated but current NEX owners should not get their hopes up about getting Android Auto firmware. Here's why.
The car entertainment industry has undergone a transformation over the last few years making head units more like today's smartphones. Products get refreshed every year and more importantly older products rarely get support for new software.
When Apple CarPlay was announced, Pioneer made it clear that firmware updates would be available only for their NEX head units to support CarPlay, leaving the AppRadio 3 out. Owners of the AppRadio 3 weren't too impressed by the announcement at the time.
Judging by how things have gone in the recent past, it might be a safe bet to assume the current generation NEX owners will not get the Android Auto update. If you are an Android user, you will need a second generation NEX head unit to use Android Auto.
Pioneer's website also has information on which countries/regions will get Android Auto. If you click on the U.S. tab for compatible head units, only the second generation NEX receivers show up.
At CES 2015, Pioneer announced that Android Auto and second generation NEX receivers will be available early this year.
That sucks! I own a 8000nex that took me a lot of time to save up for, and now I already have an out-dated unit. I bet they could put Android Auto on the 4000/5000/6000/8000 series products if they wanted to. They did it as a firmware update for the Apple version
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you! I have the 8000 nex and that sucker wasn't cheap! There is no excuse for not updating it for compatibility with Android auto! They continue to update apple carplay and it's only getting better.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you guys! So disgusting that Pioneer will not update the 8000nex. Simple firmware update would fix this! Are we supposed to dump these even number model units and start over? NOT FAIR. Shame on you Panasonic!
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