Toyota responds to iPod car entertainment glitch

What we had here was a failure to communicate -- Toyota sorts out Apple/Fujitsu-Ten compatibility issue
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Toyota has released a software fix for owners of vehicles affected by an Apple induced glitch to the entertainments system.

According to a report published by Fairfax, owners reported problems with the system using the USB connection for Apple products iPhone, iPod Touch and iPod Nano 6G -- in particular those synched with iTunes after a recent upgrade to iOS4.1.

The in-car games entertainment systems were reduced to a screen simply reading "load" when attempting to use the more advanced features of the iPod/iPhone interface.  Some owners reported the freezing of the radio associated with this error.

Toyota had recently advised dealers that vehicles sold after 2009 with the audio features installed would not be compatible with the Apple devices running the operating system released in September last year.

Today Toyota announced a firmware fix for the issue, with owners of affected vehicles advised to contact their dealer to have the software installed.

It is still unclear who is at fault here.  Apple produces an external API (Application Programming Interface) specifically for systems such as in-car entertainment systems to interface with.  Alternatively car manufacturers could write their own. If Apple changed the API with the release of iOS 4.1 without discussing this with the developers, then the finger of blame is obvious.  However, this is unlikely given Toyota (via Fujitsu Ten) supplied the fix and the sheer number of applications now developed using iOS.

Update: Toyota has made it clear that they believe the fault was introduced with the September release of Apples iOS.

Toyota Australia has advised that display audio systems supplied in some vehicles produced from March 2011 will be upgraded to improve connectivity with certain audio devices.

In September 2010, Apple™ introduced revised operating systems on certain product that affected operation of the USB interface only.

If customers have any concerns or difficulties with interfacing a compatible Apple™ product, they should contact their authorised Toyota dealer who can arrange for a recently developed firmware upgrade for existing display audio systems.

Toyota advises that, in all cases, music will continue to play back via Bluetooth™ or by using the 3.5mm mini jack.

Users who have encountered difficulty operating their compatible Apple™ product via the USB interface can easily restore operation by changing modes to radio, CD or Aux. 

The automotive electronics industry is striving to provide an ‘updateable’ system, while maintaining the integrity of the original system.

This stance is seemingly backed up by the Carsales Network also receiving reports of other manufacturers of in-car entertainment systems being befuddled by post iOS4.1 USB attached Appleness. As one frustrated driver told us: "Pioneer deny anything is wrong with my unit but once I upgraded to 4.1 with certain settings I get get freezing and a reboot of the head unit".

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