The Toyota Entune app, once a staple in Toyota vehicles, provided a suite of connected services and infotainment features. However, technology evolves, and Entune has been phased out. If you’re a Toyota owner wondering what replaced this system and how it impacts your driving experience, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will delve into the details of its successor, Toyota Audio Multimedia (also known as Toyota Connected Services), and explore everything you need to know.
The End of an Era: Why Entune Was Discontinued
Entune served Toyota drivers for years, offering access to navigation, music streaming, weather forecasts, and other convenient apps directly through the vehicle’s infotainment system. While innovative for its time, Entune faced several challenges that ultimately led to its discontinuation.
One of the primary issues was user experience. Many users found the Entune interface clunky, slow, and less intuitive compared to modern smartphone-based systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Updates were infrequent, and the app selection was limited.
Another factor was the increasing reliance on smartphones. The ubiquity of smartphones and their robust app ecosystems made it increasingly difficult for Entune to compete. Features like navigation and music streaming were often better handled by smartphone apps, which were updated more frequently and offered a wider range of functionality.
Finally, technological advancements paved the way for more integrated and sophisticated infotainment systems. Toyota recognized the need to provide a more seamless and user-friendly experience, leading to the development of its new generation of connected services.
Enter Toyota Audio Multimedia: The Next Generation
Toyota Audio Multimedia represents a significant leap forward in Toyota’s infotainment technology. It’s designed to be more intuitive, responsive, and integrated with the modern digital landscape. Think of it as a complete overhaul of the previous system, built from the ground up.
Key Features and Improvements
Toyota Audio Multimedia offers a wide array of features that enhance the driving experience. These include:
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Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: This is a major upgrade. Unlike Entune, which often required a USB connection, Toyota Audio Multimedia offers wireless connectivity for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows you to seamlessly integrate your smartphone’s navigation, music, and communication apps with the vehicle’s infotainment system.
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Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates: This is a critical improvement. The system can receive software updates wirelessly, ensuring that your infotainment system is always up-to-date with the latest features and bug fixes. This eliminates the need to visit a dealership for software updates.
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Cloud-Based Navigation: Select models offer cloud-based navigation, which provides real-time traffic information and dynamic routing. This ensures you’re always taking the fastest and most efficient route to your destination.
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Improved Voice Recognition: The new voice recognition system is designed to be more accurate and responsive. You can use voice commands to control navigation, music, and other functions. Simply saying “Hey Toyota” activates the system.
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User Profiles: The system allows you to create user profiles, which store your personal preferences, such as seat position, climate control settings, and infotainment settings. This makes it easy to customize the driving experience for different drivers.
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Service Connect: This feature provides vehicle health reports, maintenance alerts, and service reminders, helping you stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance needs.
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Remote Connect: Remote Connect allows you to remotely start your vehicle, lock or unlock the doors, and check the vehicle’s status using a smartphone app.
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Drive Connect: Drive Connect offers access to a live agent who can provide destination assistance and concierge services.
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Wi-Fi Connect: This feature provides a Wi-Fi hotspot for passengers, allowing them to connect their devices to the internet.
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Integrated Streaming: You can directly stream music from providers like Apple Music and Amazon Music without needing to connect your smartphone.
How Toyota Audio Multimedia Enhances the Driving Experience
The improvements offered by Toyota Audio Multimedia have a significant impact on the driving experience. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide seamless smartphone integration, allowing drivers to access their favorite apps without having to fumble with cables. Over-the-air updates ensure that the system is always up-to-date, while cloud-based navigation provides accurate and real-time traffic information. The improved voice recognition system makes it easier to control the system using voice commands, and the user profiles allow for personalized settings for different drivers. These enhancements make the driving experience more convenient, enjoyable, and safe.
Compatibility: Which Toyota Models Feature Toyota Audio Multimedia?
Toyota Audio Multimedia is being rolled out across the Toyota lineup. However, it’s not available on all models or model years. Generally, newer Toyota vehicles are more likely to feature the system.
Identifying if Your Toyota Has the New System
The easiest way to determine if your Toyota has Toyota Audio Multimedia is to check the vehicle’s specifications or consult with a Toyota dealership. Here are some key indicators:
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Model Year: Typically, models from 2022 onwards are more likely to have Toyota Audio Multimedia. However, this can vary depending on the specific model and trim level.
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Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto: If your vehicle supports wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, it’s highly likely that it has Toyota Audio Multimedia.
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Over-the-Air Updates: The ability to receive over-the-air updates is another strong indicator.
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“Hey Toyota” Voice Activation: If you can activate the voice assistant by saying “Hey Toyota,” your vehicle likely has the new system.
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System Interface: The user interface of Toyota Audio Multimedia is noticeably different from Entune. It’s more modern, intuitive, and features a cleaner design.
Upgrading from Entune: Is It Possible?
Unfortunately, upgrading from Entune to Toyota Audio Multimedia is generally not possible. The two systems are fundamentally different and require different hardware. Entune-equipped vehicles were not designed to accommodate the new hardware and software requirements of Toyota Audio Multimedia.
Toyota Connected Services: Expanding the Ecosystem
Beyond the core infotainment features, Toyota Audio Multimedia is deeply integrated with Toyota Connected Services. This suite of services provides a range of benefits, including:
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Safety Connect: Safety Connect provides emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and automatic collision notification. In the event of an accident or other emergency, Safety Connect can automatically alert emergency services.
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Service Connect: As mentioned earlier, Service Connect provides vehicle health reports, maintenance alerts, and service reminders.
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Remote Connect: Remote Connect allows you to remotely control your vehicle using a smartphone app.
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Drive Connect: Drive Connect provides access to a live agent who can provide destination assistance and concierge services.
These connected services enhance the overall ownership experience by providing added safety, convenience, and peace of mind.
Navigating the Transition: What to Expect
The transition from Entune to Toyota Audio Multimedia has been largely positive, with most users appreciating the improvements in usability and functionality. However, there are a few things to keep in mind as you navigate this transition.
Understanding Subscription Requirements
Many of the connected services offered by Toyota Audio Multimedia require a subscription. These subscriptions typically come with a trial period, after which you’ll need to pay a monthly or annual fee to continue using the services. It’s important to understand the subscription requirements and costs before purchasing a vehicle or renewing your subscriptions.
Exploring the App Ecosystem
While Toyota Audio Multimedia offers a wider range of features than Entune, the app ecosystem is still relatively limited compared to smartphone-based systems. You may find that some of your favorite apps are not available directly through the infotainment system. However, the integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allows you to access a vast library of apps from your smartphone.
Staying Up-to-Date with Software Updates
Over-the-air updates are a key feature of Toyota Audio Multimedia, but it’s important to ensure that your system is always up-to-date. You can typically configure the system to automatically download and install updates, or you can manually check for updates in the settings menu. Keeping your system up-to-date will ensure that you have the latest features and bug fixes.
Maximizing Your Toyota Audio Multimedia Experience
To get the most out of your Toyota Audio Multimedia system, consider these tips:
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Explore the Features: Take some time to explore the various features and settings of the system. Familiarize yourself with the voice commands, user profiles, and connected services.
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Customize Your Settings: Customize the system to your preferences. Adjust the display settings, audio settings, and notification settings to create a personalized experience.
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Use Voice Commands: Take advantage of the improved voice recognition system to control the system using voice commands. This can help you keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.
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Connect Your Smartphone: Connect your smartphone using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to access your favorite apps and services.
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Subscribe to Connected Services: Consider subscribing to the connected services that are most important to you. Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect can provide added safety, convenience, and peace of mind.
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Stay Informed: Stay informed about the latest software updates and feature enhancements. Toyota regularly releases updates to improve the system’s performance and add new features.
The Future of Toyota Infotainment
Toyota is committed to continuously improving its infotainment systems. We can expect to see further advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and connectivity. The goal is to create a seamless and intuitive driving experience that integrates seamlessly with the modern digital lifestyle.
The shift from Entune to Toyota Audio Multimedia marks a significant step forward for Toyota’s infotainment technology. With its improved user interface, wireless smartphone integration, over-the-air updates, and connected services, Toyota Audio Multimedia provides a more convenient, enjoyable, and safe driving experience. While the transition may require some adjustments, the benefits of the new system are undeniable. By understanding the features and capabilities of Toyota Audio Multimedia, you can maximize your driving experience and stay connected on the road.
What was the primary reason Toyota discontinued the Entune app?
Toyota discontinued the Entune app primarily due to its dated technology and limitations in providing a seamless and modern user experience. The Entune system relied heavily on smartphone tethering, which often led to connectivity issues, slow response times, and limited feature integration compared to newer, more integrated infotainment systems. The transition to a more robust and user-friendly platform was deemed necessary to meet evolving customer expectations for connected car services.
The company recognized the growing demand for features like over-the-air updates, improved navigation, and deeper integration with vehicle systems. Entune’s architecture wasn’t easily adaptable to these demands, necessitating a complete overhaul. Toyota sought to create a system that offered a more intuitive interface, faster performance, and enhanced functionality, ultimately leading to the development of a more advanced connected services platform.
What is the name of the new system that replaced Entune?
The primary replacement for the Toyota Entune app and system is the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. This new system represents a significant upgrade from Entune, offering a more modern and intuitive interface, improved performance, and a wider range of features. It’s designed to provide a more seamless and integrated experience for drivers and passengers.
In some Toyota models, particularly those with older infotainment systems, users may also encounter compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as a supplementary solution. While not a direct replacement developed by Toyota, these systems offer similar functionalities like navigation, music streaming, and phone integration, effectively bridging the gap left by Entune’s discontinuation for users who prefer these platforms.
What are the key improvements offered by the Toyota Audio Multimedia system compared to Entune?
The Toyota Audio Multimedia system offers several key improvements over Entune, primarily focusing on enhanced user experience and functionality. These improvements include a more intuitive touchscreen interface, faster processing speeds, and a more reliable cloud-based navigation system. The system also boasts improved voice recognition capabilities, allowing drivers to control various functions with natural language commands.
Furthermore, the Toyota Audio Multimedia system provides over-the-air software updates, ensuring that the system remains up-to-date with the latest features and improvements without requiring a visit to the dealership. This feature, absent in Entune, allows for continuous enhancement of the system’s performance and functionality, providing a longer lifespan and better overall user experience.
Is the new system compatible with all older Toyota vehicles that used Entune?
Unfortunately, the Toyota Audio Multimedia system is generally not compatible with older Toyota vehicles that were originally equipped with Entune. The hardware and software architecture of these older vehicles are fundamentally different, making a direct upgrade impossible. The new system requires specific hardware components and software integration that were not present in older models.
While a direct replacement isn’t available, some older Toyota vehicles may be compatible with aftermarket solutions like updated head units that support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These aftermarket options can provide similar functionalities to the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, albeit not with the same level of integration with the vehicle’s native systems.
What services are included in the Toyota Audio Multimedia subscription?
The specific services included in the Toyota Audio Multimedia subscription can vary depending on the vehicle model and trim level, but generally include features like cloud-based navigation with real-time traffic updates, destination assist for live agent support, and integrated streaming services like Apple Music and Amazon Music. Remote Connect, which allows users to remotely start their car, lock/unlock doors, and check vehicle status via a smartphone app, is also often included.
Other potential services may include Wi-Fi connectivity, safety connect for emergency assistance, and service connect for vehicle health reports and maintenance alerts. The subscription options and specific features offered are often tiered, allowing users to choose a plan that best suits their needs and budget. Always check the specific details for your vehicle model and year to confirm included services.
How do I update the Toyota Audio Multimedia system in my vehicle?
Updating the Toyota Audio Multimedia system is typically done over-the-air (OTA) via a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. The system will automatically check for updates and prompt you to install them when available. Ensure your vehicle is parked in a location with a strong Wi-Fi signal or has an active cellular data connection during the update process.
If automatic updates are not working, you can also check for updates manually through the system’s settings menu. Navigate to the system’s software update section and select the option to check for available updates. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install any available updates. It’s important to note that updates can take some time to download and install, so ensure the vehicle is turned on and has sufficient battery power during the process.
Are there any costs associated with using the Toyota Audio Multimedia system?
Yes, there are typically costs associated with using the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, especially for certain features and services. While some basic functionalities may be included for a trial period or a limited time, many of the more advanced features like cloud-based navigation, remote connect, and Wi-Fi connectivity require a paid subscription. These subscriptions are usually offered on a monthly or annual basis.
The cost of these subscriptions can vary depending on the specific services included and the length of the subscription term. Toyota often offers bundled packages that combine multiple services at a discounted rate. It’s important to review the terms and conditions of each subscription to understand exactly what is included and what the associated costs are.