Maybe Honda shouldn't promise things they can't deliver on?
Or even insinuate that they would?
There were obviously enough people who bought this car thinking it would get Android Auto, and there was a marketing reason for that. Because it sold more cars. And Honda did nothing to stop the perpetuation of rumors surrounding Android Auto and the Fit.

Honda knew from the very beginning the 2015 Fit would not have Android Auto. They also knew the 2016 Fit would not have Android Auto. They know EXACTLY when the Fit will get Android Auto if it ever does. So for them to hint it would, and then do nothing but fan the flames with "maybes" and "it could be coming" is bad marketing, lying, and indicative of what Honda thinks it can get away with regarding their customer base. Apparently it works because there are so many Honda defenders in here that wont admit Honda pulled a bait-and-switch, either intentionally or unintentionally.

 

Oh, boo hoo. You're making guesses, no direct knowledge, no proof. What would Honda's motive be? A few sales vs. the animosity of obsessives. Personally I don't like Google, Android's source. They are trying to take over the world. Apple tried, then Microsoft came along and tried, now Google. It is apparently the nature of the software beasts. Now that's part of my paranoid streak. We know what yours is.

 

After just over a week having my EX, I'm going to say the Honda infotainment center sucks. At the end of my lease I'll be getting a LX and putting in my own head unit. The only feature besides the 6spd that sold me was the entry/push button start. I'm not a fan of moonroofs, and the lane watch is a useless gimmick. Not even standard Siruis in this infotainment center in 2015, smh.

 

Here are some news articles I stumbled upon. They are an interesting read, and parallel this thread.

Is Developing For Car Infotainment Systems The Next Big Thing?

Android Auto vs. Apple CarPlay: Google and Apple battle for dashboard dominance

Summary: It's still too early for either system. Change will be slow. It'll be 2019 until we see significant progress. They are not there yet.

 

On the contrary, it is great marketing! They managed to convince the gullible that their pet system would be added to the car in the future. It cost them nothing to do so beyond dummying up a prototype. Vaporware has the best profit-to-cost ratio of any product!

 

The only reason "they're not there' is because the car makers will not let them in. Do some seaches, there are lots of people who have ripped out their head unit and replaced it with a $100 Nexus 7 in an enclosure and could not be happier. The idea that these craptacular head units are complicated to do is simply not true.

 

Really? Lots of people? Lots is non-specific, could be anywhere from 3 to 3,000 or above. There are many reason other than the head unit of the infotainment to buy a certain model of a car. It should be a combination of features, not a single one.


I had a guy tell me why he had a series of sporty Mitsubitchi's. He said they ran like stink for x number of miles, then he'd trade one in for another. I wouldn't want one of his trade-ins. I would also question a car that had a non-standard infotainment system.

 

Car companies will not easily cede to Google, Apple or MS, and I don't blame them. Strategically it would be the start of a downhill run. Why would they give up their infotainment centres? Ford/Toyota, and the BMW/Mercedes/Volvo group are going in a completely 'nother direction. The tech is still too jiggly.

As much as I like the Nexus 7, AFAIK there is no integration with backup cameras, Lanewatch, etc. Of course it can be done, and if Google wanted to they could certainly have reverse engineered the Honda head unit, and wrote an Android app that polls these events. But there are lots of legislation throughout the world that Honda needs to wade through, and Google would need to do the same. Life is not that simple.

Here in Canada we have legislation on distracted driving, much of which is still ignored by Canadian drivers. Throw a lovely Nexus 7 on the dash and I'm sure drivers would be watching Youtube and killing a lot more people. We have an addiction here. Governments are slowly looking into this. Mounting a Nexus 7 to the dash is not an ideal solution for those addicted to the technology but drive anyway.

 

Hi KentFinn looks like you kinda just wrote off the entire aftermarket auto industry.

And yes, the head unit (which is the second or third most touched piece in any of my cars) is vitally important to the overall driving experience.
Maybe not for YOU but an entire industry speaks otherwise.

In terms of modding cars and putting in a Nexus 7, etc, pretty much EVERY car forum ever has that mod? It has a huge following, and yes "lots" of people do it. Just like "lots" of people care about their car audio and it's functionality. Yes it should be a combination of stable features that all work. Unfortunately this car has a combination of semi-stable features that sometimes work and other times don't.

As far as cars with aftermarket audio? Apparently you've never driven anything older than around 2005, when single and double DIN slots were still mostly standard. Go ahead if you want to listen to a crappy radio/CD player from the 2000's. I'd much prefer Bluetooth streaming, calling, Pandora support, etc on my head unit. About the only qualm I would have with a car with aftermarket audio installed is the install quality, which I would take it all apart and double check anyways.

So take your fanboy hat off and go listen to your AM radio.

GeorgeL:
As far as "great marketing", yes you are correct, but I was talking more from a consumer standpoint. Great way to piss off your target market. If I worked for customer retention I would be having an apoplexy.

 

Gee, bbvg, you sure throwing a lot of ASSUmptions around about me. I've been driving a lot of new and used cars around since 1962, from Pontiacs, to Buicks, to Chevys, to Toyotas, to Suburus, to Hondas, mostly manual shift and a few automatics (don't like 'em). Tube radios and vacuum wipers and brakes. I'm no one's fan boy, but I'm mystified by kids who are so single-minded that they fixate on one aspect.


I'm not frightened by technology. I generally embrace it. When I suggested PCs for a company I was working for, my boss, Karl, told me that they had better not be obsolete within a year. "Karl, if they're on the market, they are already obsolete."


No where did I write off the aftermarket nor I say anything about "great marketing". Reading comprehension a constant problem?

 

Hmm I did reread your posts and did not see it, so yes I may have been incorrect in saying that.

Regardless, I am not "fixating" on this issue. Actually it's one of the least things about this car that I am pissed-off about.

In terms of "hope" for this vehicle, I can "hope" that future innovation (that actually happened yesterday btw) will unlock the proprietary crippled system that Honda put into this car. I can hope that future mods will help the system realize the promises that Honda threw out there, then took back. I can hope that my expectations (fully supported by Honda sales and marketing) will finally be realized. Is that not a reasonable request? To expect what you were told to expect, and all research about it indicated it to be true?

Now as far as hope for Honda to actually fix all the dozens of problems with my vehicle? I no longer have any hope there.

So sorry if I seem like I am fixating on an issue. I already tried to bring attention to all the other glaring deficiencies in QA control, customer service, service in general, and everything else that is wrong with how Honda treats its customers once the money is in their pocket. So I guess all that's left is how Honda makes promises and pulls bait-and-switches on something as "small" as their head unit (which is really a blatant attempt to monetize; super expensive app and cable, yet confusingly they don't support the largest mobile phone operating system in the world (Android)?).

I'm not even an android or apple fan, I just happen to use whatever I feel like at the moment. I don't particularly believe in brand loyalty either, I base my opinion on past and present experiences, and consider myself open to giving brands a second chance. That's why I bought another Honda despite having numerous issues with this brand in the past. Lesson? Nothing changed. Seriously go to a Volkswagen, Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai dealership and see the difference in customer service. I purposely only mentioned brands in the same market as Honda, otherwise I would recommend Tesla, Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, and Lexus (which understandably has MUCH better customer service).

so anyways I'm done on this topic, we're all entitled to our opinions, and now we know yours, and mine. Sorry if you were offended.

 

This is one of those YMMV situations. I may have lucked upon a really good, maybe even exceptional dealer and salesman. Customer service has been better than adequate. Quality control ... I don't examine for flaws but so far none apparent.


Gears 4, 5, and 6 are too close together, the volume control on the radio is awkward at best as it the interface with the iPhone (mostly my problem). There should be a hatch release under the dash near the hood and gas door releases. I'm still exploring. I wish I could get the clutch a little closer (short legs, artificial right foot).


When I've had problems with a product (pc, phone, car, whatever), I call and instead of being angry, demanding and snarly, I use humor. "Let me talk to someone who gets paid more than you because I've getting ready to go off big time and I'm sure you don't get paid enough to listen." Works 95% of the time. Problem solved at the first level.


You didn't offend me, after 74 years and counting, I have pretty thick skin (matches the head).


But as I said, YMMV. And FINI.

 

http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/26/11785996/hyundai-android-auto-carplay-diy-update

 

Uh, madvillian, you do know that this is a Honda Fit Unofficial forum? Do you know how to spell troll?

 

Uh you do know that this thread had mentioned the idea of flashing android auto onto our head units. Uh you do know that's what the article is about albeit on a different car but still shows it is possible. Uh you do know you can type a message without putting in your usual go to word "uh" when your unintelligent brain is slowly trying to think of what you want to say next. Uh thanks for trying though. Uh who's the troll now?

 

Not interested in getting in to a flame war. But I do not usually use "uh" in posts.

When I first noticed your post, it appeared to be a stand-alone. When I first joined this forum, a little over a year ago, the Android v. Apple was nearing its peak, folks setting deadline for Honda to provide a pathway to Android smartphones or else. I thought it was silly then and no less so now.

Fini

 

Had you bothered to see what the article or even the thread was about before opening your mouth you may not have decided to do so at all. But alas, here we are. Neither the article or thread were about android vs apple. They are both about turning poorly functioning, poor excuses for a touch screen head unit into a convenient to use up to date head unit with what may be as simple as a flash update.

 

The link appeared to be an ad for Hunyadi, extoling its virtues. Don't like the Fit or its features? Don't buy one or sell the one you have.

When in worry or in doubt, run in circles. Scream and shout. Constructive criticism is great and should be welcomed, even encouraged. But after more than two years? Come on now. Foaming at the mouth and calling others unintelligent is over the line..

The troll comment seemed to have hit a nerve. Sorry 'bout that, chief.

 

Still missing the point here. But I'm not surprised. Seems that unintelligent comment hit the mark. Sorry 'bout your brain.

 

Stuck on schoolyard insults? That doesn't say much for your temperament, mind or intelligence. I'm trying to keep it civil here, so let's drop it.