The head unit switches seamlessly between the stock interface and the CarAbc interface.

BHPian audioholic recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Our 2020 Innova Crysta pre-facelift did not have Apple CarPlay and a few months after we purchased it, they decided to launch a facelift with a completely new head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Had earlier planned to change the head unit to the facelift version but realised the entire wiring was different and it was not a direct fit. Only one installer in Goa has done this so far and has worked with their own custom connectors.

But now, the long pending problem has been solved with this amazing product I found which was popular in other countries with Toyota head units. Turns out my car's head unit came with a similar interface and operating system. Found the supplier in China ordered this product and installed it as soon as it arrived. Was overjoyed by the results.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now on my stock head unit with complete functionality.

The control unit is a palm-sized box which has a piggyback interface between the vehicle and the head unit. In addition to that it has a dedicated USB port for wired CarPlay and an optional interface with a rear camera which is not required in my case since the stock camera is used:

It comes with a vehicle-specific harness which will connect to the Toyota harness at three T connectors that then head to the stock HU. The connections hardly take time. We remove the three connectors from the stock HU, connect that to the harness provided and then connect the opposite pins on the harness to the head unit.

Once that's done, the ignition can be powered up and the head unit takes a while to boot since its power is disconnected. After this, to trigger the CarPlay box, we have two options:

• Switch to FM and then Aux
• Hold the Voice command button for 2s and release.

The CarAbc box immediately fires up with its interface. For the initial setup, we can pair our phone with this box(and have to delete the pairing with the stock HU to avoid clashes). Wired car play will work straight away while wireless needs a connection to the Wi-Fi access point.

Turns out, the head unit allows external devices to connect two-way and be able to even access touch screen actions, which allows the Carabc box to offer full CarPlay functionality and for the user to use the Head unit touch screen to navigate. This is common in German cars but given how Toyota electronics is ancient, it was a surprise to me.

To summarise

Pros/Features:

1. Superb integration and installation
2. Seamless switching between the stock Head unit sources and the CarAbc interface
3. The stock reverse camera can be used as usual and the box switches without any loss of audio
4. Very good sound quality and customisable settings
5. Offers both wired as well as wireless ACP and AA as well as a host of other functions, typically rendering the stock HU functions redundant
6. Touch screen lag is comparable to the stock head unit and is only noticeable during scrolling or moving maps
7. ACP graphics performance is very good with a good frame rate

Cons:

1. Screen resolution is slightly lower and since the stock HU does not have very high resolution, ACP somewhat looks low res especially since I am used to crystal clear rendering on my Slavia 10-inch display.
2. The incoming call display on the instrument cluster is lost even though steering calling controls continue to work

Here is a short video showing the performance of the interface and the comparable lag between the stock interface and that of the Carabc box.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

As the car was out of warranty BMW quoted around 1.5L to replace the unit and rectify the issue.

BHPian y2s recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Back in early 2019 - The stock head unit(HU) of my 2014 F30 began malfunctioning - It was stuck BMW Logo as can be seen in the image below -

As the car was out of warranty BMW quoted around 1.5L to replace the unit and rectify the issue. I asked if they could upgrade the HU to something with carplay and to no one's surprise I was told that was impossible - If I wanted carplay then I would have to purchase a new vehicle. I was not willing to pay such a huge amount for simply fixing the basic and featureless system my car came with and therefore decided to deny BMW the repair to look for 3rd party & DIY options that were either cheaper in terms of price for the fix or gave me an upgraded system. Below is a conclusive list of the options I came across over weeks of research -

Options for fix

1. China Android-Based System 10.25" - REJECTED This was the first option I came across and it exited me because of the cheap cost of around $300 and the large feature set it offers. Quality may not be very great however seemed very worth it for the price. Rejected because I realized these systems require a working OEM HU to interface with. There is also concern for long-term reliability.

Decided OEM was the only way I wanted to go. My car came equipped with an HU_Entry CIC system (OEM Part 65129270363 9281518)

2. Replacement OEM HU_Entry - REJECTED Found this with great difficulty online in china for $75 used (Yes, you read that right) + Shipping/Tax. This would require a DIY install. Additional costs would include professional coding service @ $75, Hardware Emulator @ $50 & OBD Cable @ $10. All in I would be able to fix the system for under INR 20k to factory condition. While this would have been a great option - By the time I found this used part - I was in too deep for option 3 and the itch for retrofitting a better system had already taken hold.

3. Retrofit a newer OEM HU - Realized it is possible to retrofit the latest OEM systems from BMW into my car. The different generations of systems in BMW cars can be seen in the following image. I obviously wanted the latest and greatest compatible with my car -

3a. Plug & Play Retrofit - REJECTED There were only very few international companies that offered a complete plug-and-play solution for the same. I reached out to them and got some quotes. Please note that these options still require a DIY opening of the dash and unplugging/replacing the HU/Screen and USB. Includes remote coding through TeamViewer. One need not worry about VIN emulation / ATM emulation/coding/cable harness pinout or parts compatibility.
NBT Evo ID 5/6 - $2500 + Shipping + Tax = ~ INR 2.5L (2GB Model - Non Touchscreen)
NBT Evo ID 4 - $1500 + Shipping + Tax = ~ INR 1.5L
Rejected this option because I thought the cost was a little on the higher side as individual parts could be sourced cheaper if bought separately. After having done this project and experiencing the technicalities and nuances involved - I believe the cost these integrators charge is somewhat justified.

3b. Complete DIY Retrofit - ACCEPTED Even though I had never worked on a car in any capacity in my entire life (Not even changed as much as a wiper blade) - As my research progressed- I got more and more confident in doing the entire retrofit myself - Got up one morning and decided I was going to risk it and if things went south then that would just be the cost of learning - Decided on a budget of INR 1.5L (Cost BMW had initially asked) and I would do the best I could within that. After months of scouring for parts that were both compatible and affordable - I finally had all the parts I needed for the retrofit. I even managed to squeeze in an OEM Backup Camera in my budget. Below is the final parts list including Estimated/Actual and total cost - (eBay - Shades of Blue, Aliexpress - Orange)

Please note here that there are multiple versions of the Head Unit - There are 2GB/ 4GB and GPS Inbuilt / GPS, not Inbuilt - You should look for 4GB with GPS Inbuilt. The additional RAM is great as 2GB versions are known to crash often on ID6 software. It is fine if you plan to remain on ID4/ID5 though. GPS Inbuilt is great to have as one would not need to emulate ATM which adds both cost and complexity. If your car already has an ATM module, this might not be much of a concern. Mine did not.
There are also 2 versions of the screen - Touch and Non-Touch.

The Retrofit

Finally, one rainy Sunday in July 2019 after all the parts had arrived (took more than 2 months), I went to a friend's enclosed parking area to start the retrofit process. Followed several YouTube videos and eventually got everything disassembled and then installed, tested & programmed. At the end of the day, I had carplay working however I was unable to get any car information on the Idrive display as I could not update the car firmware as I needed a special cable. I left the car in this state as I didn't really need anything else and didn't have the time.

Fast Forward to Jan 2020 and BMW refused to carry out maintenance because no DATA - So decided to 3d print and make the harness - We Put in the new FW - Attached the OFC and voilla everything showed up. The project was finally complete.

Additional Coding
DRL
Disable the Auto Start Stop function in ECO mode
Sport+
No Warnings
Video in Motion
Digital Speed in Instrument Cluster
NBT Sport Displays
cluster M Performance logo
cluster Start logo
NBT Pressure and temperature in tyre pressure monitor
NBT Start animation nbt Connected Drive 1
NBT Volume popup enabled
Convenient Closing
Maximum volume at start-up 2-%
Warning Chime/ Ringtone

Questions I had (FAQ)
Will Connected Drive (Remote lock/unlock) work? No
Are AM/FM Antennas already there? Yes
BT/Wifi GPS from Aliexpress work fine? Yes
Do I need to worry about ZGW (Kcan1 vs Kcan2)? No
Do I need MOST Loop for my Combox? No
CIC Pinout, NBT Evo Pinout Diagram? Same
Test Bench available in Mumbai? No
Bluetooth Mic Needed? No
Will USB work? Yes
Does Touch Controller use CAN2? Yes

I have been a forum reader here since 2014 and had actually decided to buy this car by looking at posts here. Thought you guys might enjoy my journey and it is my hope this thread inspires/helps someone. Please feel free to post any query in the thread or PM me. Will be happy to help all and answer any questions. Started writing this in 2019 and am finally posting now.

The retrofit added a good 3 years of life to this vehicle. I recently upgraded to a BMW 630d M Sport.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

While Mahindra still hasn't fixed the issue, some owners have found a few methods/tips to make things work on their SUVs.

GTO recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Can't believe it's 3 years since the launch and Mahindra still hasn't fixed it! The damn Android Auto keeps disconnecting from the phone. Personally, I use Bluetooth streaming as the volume levels are noticeably louder & I need that in the soft-top convertible (as outside sounds come in easily).

Here are some tips:

BHPian ph03n!x has shared the following:

I figured out that Apple Carplay in the Thar is rock stable while a cousin was playing DJ in a recent long drive - iPhone users on the forum too have indicated this.

I looked stuff up and figured that there are devices that connect to the vehicle's Carplay and can then display Android Auto (or Carplay) through them. And I bought one a month ago, which solved the Android Auto disconnect issue. I bought this for 15k during the sale. I also figured (after it's too late to return mine!) that there are other products like this that have only the functionality I need for 10k - the box I bought is also a standalone media player that can take a SIM card and stream Netflix, YouTube etc., which I don't need / use.

A Team-BHP Fan who prefers to stay anonymous writes in:

Hi Rush,

I was reading your Thar thread and read about the Android Auto issue. My daily is an XUV300 which has the same infotainment system hardware and I wanted to share my personal experience

• Please use only the Genuine Phone OE cable (e.g. Samsung, OnePlus depending on what you use).
• Try to keep the phone on a flat surface or a snug place (I know Thar has limited storage) if possible to minimise its movement while driving.
• Also, put USB cable organizers to ensure the cable movement is minimal when the vehicle goes over a broken surface. They also make the cable look more organized which is an added bonus. You can get something like this.
• Lastly, get a new cable every 1-2 years depending on usage. I have realised that the issue happens more frequently as the cable starts ageing.

This has reduced the disconnection problem significantly to almost zero in short trips.

Here's what BHPian BleueNinja had to say about the matter:

Even the XUV 700 seems to be plagued with this Android Auto disconnect problem.

The workaround I have implemented on XUV is that I first connect my Android phone wirelessly and then connect the charging cable to the phone to minimise battery loss.

For the Thar, a similar approach can be taken but I guess an external device will be needed to help with wireless connection because Thar doesn't support wireless connectivity natively.

Here's what BHPian rajeevsulu had to say about the matter:

I connect my phone using the OEM cable that comes with the phone. When the cable was getting frayed, I bought a high-speed data cable which did not work. Only the OEM cables work. Via the cable, AA is stable till I engage the reverse gear. Once the rear camera display comes on and then goes away when you engage 1st gear, only Google Maps is displayed on half the screen! The other half is blank.

The only way to get it to work is to unplug the cable at the phone end or to shut the engine off and restart it. It becomes cumbersome when you have to do it mid-drive. It sure can be improved.

Here's what BHPian Dr.AD had to say about the matter:

Personally for me, in my 2023 Thar which I have driven for 8,500km for now, this was never the issue. Android Auto is rock solid and worked great for me for my travels, from Day 1 of ownership.

Maybe I just got lucky, because one person's experience does not hold any statistical value. However, I have empirical evidence to believe that the choice of cable is a make-or-break deal for Android Auto.

I use cables from a brand called "Cable Creation", and I have had a very good experience with those cables. Here is one cable that I use.

This works well for Android Auto without any disconnection at all. Then I also have a longer (3ft long) cable from Cable Creations and that also works great!

However, once by mistake, I plugged in some other USB cable that I had lying somewhere in the glove box, the one I had no problems with in the past. But this time, it took a while for the headunit Android Auto app to get started and recognize my phone, and instantly I could see the connection was unstable. Same phone, same car, same headunit. Just another cable (which also worked in the past) and this time bad connection. I switched back to my usual cable and again Android Auto fired instantly and everything was smooth. I tried it again with the other cable (just to verify the issue) and again a bad connection. Back to my usual cable and again all fine.

So my suggestion is to please keep trying different cables of reputed brands and see if you find a "stable cable connection", and maybe this will solve the problems!

Here's what BHPian sandeepmohan had to say about the matter:

I suspect this problem has more to do with the hardware behind the dashboard. It's also about Android Auto being fussy as the software works on a wide range of hardware.

My experience is from a different vehicle. I recently retrofitted a Road Top Android Auto/Apple Car Play box to my car. I face the exact same issue. No luck with a new cable either. Wired Android Auto disconnects at random intervals.

The same cable connected to the stock stereo fitted in a Mitsubishi Outlander offers a stable connection. Works flawlessly.

It is practically impossible to position your phone with zero movement in your car. Even if you do find the phone stable, the cable will move, with vehicle movement. I am not sure if that is the main reason for disconnects.

I got into Developer Mode on my phone (As my phone is running Android 10) and enabled Wireless Android Auto. This offers a more stable connection than wired.

It might be worth prying out the head unit on a Thar and checking if it has a wireless antenna terminal. For all you know, they would have skimped on plugging in a WIFI Antenna which limits the wireless capability of the unit.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

As soon as the existing HU was opened up, I was told that wire cutting would be required to enable the steering controls.

BHPian AYP recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello everyone,

The purpose of this thread is to take you through my journey of ICEing my Figo and to also serve as a guide for the Figo and the Aspire owners who want to upgrade their infotainment system (non-Android).

Prologue

The itch to upgrade the ICE started back in 2019 with all the new cars coming with huge screens with support for Android Auto and Carplay. Even the Aspire and the Freestyle had the updated Sync3 systems. I remember coming across various Android systems during this time but I was concerned with their long-term performance and cheap-looking UI.

And then COVID hit us all and the thoughts of an upgrade quickly left my mind. Of course, the extended warranty also made me wary of such an upgrade.

June 2023

I came across these 'Woodman' Android systems and started to search more about them and Android stereos in general. While the cheap looking UI was still an issue, there were a lot of positives. However, the deeper I went into this, the more I realised why Androids weren't the way forward for me. My reasons for not going for Android are as follows-

• Cheap-looking UI. No offense to the Android users but I really hate the generic Android HU UIs. I tried to come up with a different word to substitute the word 'cheap' but none could quite deliver the message more appropriately.
• Long-term reliability and performance- Most of us are Android users and even with 6, 8, or 12 gigs of RAM, more often than not, in a matter of 2-3 years, our phones do slow down and after 5-6 years, they start to become unusable. Most of these Androids have 2 gigs or 4 gigs of RAM. There are 8GB options available as well but they cost more than 30-35k and even then, with 8 gigs of RAM, the long-term reliability is still a question mark.
• Updating the apps- Since an Android HU is nothing but an Android tablet adapted to function like an HU, it needs to be updated just like an Android phone. In contrast, the HUs from Sony and Pioneer rarely require updates and when it comes to AA and CP, it is your phone that does all the heavy lifting, and all the apps are updated as long as you update these apps on your phone.
• Size of the HU- Unless you go for an ancient Android HU, you only get 9'' and 10'' Android HUs. 9'' and 10'' have become the standard size for Android HUs now but the centre console of the Figo is clearly not suited for these sizes. This is how a 9-inch Android HU looks in the Figo-

As you can see, a 9-inch HU looks quite out of place in a Figo or an Aspire. Also, the hazard button switch does not fit properly in the frame.

July 2023

I got the RCD 360 Pro for my Father's Jetta which comes with wired AA and CP.

This made the itch to upgrade even harder not to scratch.

August 2023-

The itch to upgrade was ever-growing, but a few things kept holding me back.

• Extended warranty-

My car was and is still under extended warranty. Ford has in fact introduced EW for the 8th year as well. So I can, if I want, have EW until August 2025. Currently, my car is covered until August 2024. And while coupler-to-coupler fitting does not generally void warranty, you never know. There is always a chance.

• Stage 2 Remap-

At a lesser cost than an ICE upgrade, I could get my car remapped to Stage 2 from the current Stage 1. However, since my car is under EW, I was hesitant to take this route. And thus, I was caught in this never-ending cycle.

Itch to upgrade ICE- Warranty concerns- Thinking of spending the money for a stage 2 remap- Warranty concerns- Back to square one.

To be very honest, the trigger for me was the introduction of the 8th year EW by Ford. Yes, instead of being a deterrent, it acted as a catalyst since I was quite sure that I didn't wanna wait that long for an upgrade. And thus, started a rather painful journey of ICEing my Figo.

The first step towards getting an ICE was to get a frame suitable for a 7 inch HU. I posted about it on my ownership thread.

BHPian SaiSW responded and suggested me to approach Wavehertz, Delhi for the frame. I did message him for the same but was put off by the high quoted price of 4k. They only had 1 frame in stock. So at the end of August, I ordered, a 7 inch Frame suitable for my car from here and here on Amazon-

However, the final product which came was actually a 9-inch frame. This is what it looked like-

I reached out again to Wavehertz and by the time I was ready to order, the frame had gone out of stock. Throughout the next couple of days, I contacted at least 15 car accessory vendors throughout India for a 7-inch frame without any success. I was left perplexed and frustrated that my ICE upgrade may not proceed ahead due to the lack of availability of the 7-inch frame. These are the perks of owning a non-popular car from a non-popular brand that has shut shop in India. Call it my luck or whatever, but an accessory shop very close to me in Vashi (Navi Mumbai) had 1 frame in stock and offered the same for 150 bucks. However, this frame was in very poor condition. Pretty sure that this was at least 3-4 years old. This is how it looked-

And with this, I thought that my troubles were over. Oh, how wrong was I?

September 2023-

I was contemplating the HU to go for and had almost finalised the Sony XAV-AX6000. It comes with wireless AA and CP and wired AA. It also comes with HDMI and a single-camera input. But then, I saw this post by BHPian Yesterdaysnews.

It made me contemplate between the Pioneer DMH-Z6350BT and the Sony XAV-AX6000 but the price at which the Pioneer was being offered made me go for it. I got in touch with BHPian Yesterdaysnews and we agreed on a price of 26k for the HU. I did though also procure an amp and sub from him and paid 31k in total. Meanwhile, I had got the frame Hydro dipped at H20 Graphix in Dadar. Paid 1800 for the same. This is how the frame looked after-

I had also ordered the required accessories to go with the HU, namely, the micro HDMI to HDMI male cable, the USB C cable (male to female, USB OTG cable, the HDMI male to USB C adapter, the aux cable and the front and rear cameras. I have provided the links to all the accessories that I ordered in a later post.

After getting the HU and the frame, I was all excited and went to get the HU fitted on 16th September(Saturday) at Paras Car Decor in Vashi. As soon as the existing HU was opened up, I was told that wire cutting would be required to enable the steering controls. This was not acceptable to me. I asked the fitter as to how we can avoid wire cutting and I was suggested to order a suitable coupler from Delhi.

Post this, I was running from pillar to post and going to various other installers and also contacting some others over Whatsapp to get a solution to this. Out of desperation, I went to an installer who wasn't very good and he ended up damaging my HDMI cable. Lesson learned- never make a major decision when you are either very happy or very desperate.

I got in touch with BHPian VWALLstar and he suggested me to get in touch with a different installer in Vashi.

After going to this installer, I got to know that there is a separate wiring harness that is required to get steering controls working in a Pioneer. This is what that harness looks like-

This was missing from the package which was sent to me. The owner at Paras Car Decor had 1 such harness with him but even he wasn't sure if this was the right one. Anyway, I went back to him straight away and got the harness for 500 bucks as a failsafe.

I contacted Wavehertz again and ordered the coupler along with the radio coupler. However, I was told even by Wavehertz that wire cutting shall be needed for Pioneer. Post this, I waited for the harness to arrive patiently.

October 2023-

As they say, An idle mind is the devil's workshop, during my wait for the harness to arrive, I started to think of my upgrade more holistically. I was concerned about the wiring and its positioning. Putting them in the glovebox was the safe route. However, 2 factors made me reconsider this-

• Putting wires in the glovebox is as good as not having wires in the first place. They never get used.
• As per the feedback from BHPian SaiSW, the wires in the glovebox get squished when the glovebox is closed.

These factors made me think of an alternate positioning for the wires and this trim in my car caught my attention-

I was initially thinking of ordering this trim which used to come with the Titanium+ trim-

But since I also needed to have an outlet for the HDMI cable, I quickly realised that this would not work. Finally, I decided to make use of the current trim itself. I ordered this rectangular grommet.

The idea was to make a cut in the existing trim and fit the grommet inside that opening from which the wires shall be routed out.

However, this turned out to be a size too big for the trim. I then ordered this circular grommet (19mm open grommet is out of stock).

I got the trim laser cut and fit this grommet inside the hole (the hole was 21mm in Diameter)-

What I also discovered during this time was that the USB C cable that I had ordered had gone bad, the male part of the cable had gone loose and wouldn't stay put inside any female slot. So I ordered another cable of UGREEN make.

In the meantime, the coupler from Wavehertz had also arrived-

Finally, armed with all the accessories, I headed to the accessory shop to get the fitment done.

Continue reading AYP's upgrade experience for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

The fitment will be done by the dealership at no extra cost with a 2-year Blaupunkt India warranty but they are unwilling to open the sealed box for a demo.

BHPian hemant.kamat recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Having used (suffered) the Smartplay Studio system in my new Ertiga ZXi (O) for a week, I'm giving serious thought to replacing the OEM unit with an aftermarket one. Reasons being:

• No in-built navigation. I have to connect my phone with a USB C cable and launch Android Auto, then Google Maps every time. There is a noticeable lag until the map loads, and I cannot disconnect my phone. In comparison, the aftermarket Android units come with in-built navigation - all that's required is my phone's Wi-Fi hotspot or a 4G SIM for real-time traffic updates.
• No options to customize the GUI. I don't like the rainbow-colored home screen theme. In comparison, the aftermarket Android units can download from hundreds of dashboard launchers from the built-in Play Store app.
• Cannot play 1080p MP4 videos from a USB drive. Only 720p videos seem to play, that too slightly jerky (noticeable). In comparison, the aftermarket Android units support flawless playback of 1080p 60fps MP4 videos.

I'm currently considering the Blaupunkt Ft. Lauderdale 900 @ ₹28500 (after ₹5000 off on exchange of OEM unit). Fitment by the dealership at no extra cost with a 2-year Blaupunkt India warranty. Plus, there's a bundled free Blaupunkt Rear View camera worth ₹3000.

While the dealership is claiming that it supports downloading Google Maps & Dashboard apps from the Play Store, they are unwilling to open the sealed box for a demo of the system. I'd greatly appreciate it if any fellow BHPian owner could confirm this.

Also suggested was the Woodman X9 @ ₹20000 with a free Night Vision AHD Camera. However, fitment will be done by the car accessories shop at extra cost and the bundled 1 year warranty is questionable. No buyback on the OEM unit.

Your thoughts and recommendations are welcome. Thanks!

Here's what BHPian Kosfactor had to say about the matter:

Avoid changing the HU unless you have plenty of money to spend. Whatever is being sold as Blaupunkt is really something else, they have given their brand name to anyone who makes just about anything - it's not the same company of the old days.

Check with another phone to see how the existing system responds, perhaps use a different cable etc.

If you are planning to change the HU, go for Pioneer or Sony. Sure, they do cost a bit more but at least it will still retain the car audio part of it.

Here's what BHPian sat123 had to say about the matter:

I have installed this Blaupankt Lauderdale 900 recently.

Google Maps is not working whereas Waze Map works using the GPS antenna. This issue must not be specific to the device or GPS but rather something to do with the app version, I will play with it and get back to you again. But this device is like an Android phone without SIM (WiFi needed).

Here's what BHPian nairrk had to say about the matter:

I installed Blaupunkt Long Beach 970 in my car (Tata Tigor) in 2019 and since then Google Maps and Navi Maps have worked well with the provided antenna. I have to just activate my Phones hotspot which is needed for net connectivity.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

ToneTag recently showcased an MG Hector equipped with the new pay-by-car payment system at the Global Fintech Fest.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has partnered with ToneTag, for a voice-enabled payment system that works through the car's infotainment system.

The new payment system called 'Pay-by-Car', has been developed for internet-enabled cars. The company has tied-up with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) to enable users to make fuel payments using this contactless payment mode.

Here's how 'Pay-by-Car' works:

The users can select a fuel station from the infotainment system and enter the amount they need to pay for the fuel. The selected fuel station will then receive a voice command on a soundbox that a car is approaching and has requested a fuel refill of the said amount.

The amount will be deducted using the UPI connected to the vehicle's FASTag. Users can confirm the transaction by entering a password on the car's infotainment screen or through voice commands.

The pay-by-car system is possible through high-wave frequency communication and the Opera Network for Digital Communication (ONDC), a platform where shoppers, retailers and tech providers are connected for e-commerce activities.

According to the company, ToneTag uses sound wave technology with encryption to avoid contactless payments. Voice technology is also said to be cheaper as it uses the car's infotainment system and doesn't need additional speakers or devices.

The pay-by-car payment system has other applications as well. It can be used to book coffee at a café, pick up food from a restaurant or make payments at grocery stores. The system also lets the user monitor their FASTag balance in real-time.

The system also has a provision for refunds. If the user pays for fuel but is unable to access the petrol station, a refund will be initiated within 48 hours.

ToneTag recently showcased an MG Hector equipped with the new pay-by-car payment system at the Global Fintech Fest. It could soon be offered in the MG Astor. The company is also in talks with other brands, including Maruti Suzuki, and Mahindra.

Source: Moneycontrol

They offer features like navigation, music, telephony, etc. but most of these tasks can be accomplished with a basic set of audio systems as well.

BHPian raptor_diwan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

With the increasing popularity of infotainment systems in cars, featuring advancements like floating and on-screen displays, and the continuous growth in screen size, it raises the question of whether we truly need such sophisticated systems.

Do car enthusiasts find it indispensable, or is it just as crucial for regular users?

There are several reasons why people opt for infotainment systems, such as aesthetic appeal, access to songs, and navigation functionalities.

However, many of these tasks can be accomplished with a basic set of audio systems too, like using Bluetooth connections for music and calls and relying on navigation through smartphones. Does it genuinely impact your driving experience?

Recently, I checked and found that the price of infotainment systems starts from 10k and goes up to 50k, with a wide range of options in between. What do you believe should be the maximum acceptable price for an infotainment system?

Here's what BHPian robincsamuel had to say about the matter:

Yes, I think it's good to have an infotainment system. Sometimes I don't need directions for a route, but I might still look at the map occasionally. If I don't have a decent infotainment system, I'd only mount the smartphone when I seriously need navigation.

The infotainment unit's navigation views are often more detailed than a smartphone. The Kia infotainment system includes a split screen and a compass widget that provides information such as altitude and coordinates. And I check the altitude to get an idea of the remaining distance when driving over hills. I'd have never thought of checking that from my phone.

Moreover, infotainment system user interfaces are specifically designed for cars, with large text and buttons, while the smartphone screen is small and difficult to control when driving. Another advantage is the accessibility for co-passenger. Overall, I find it very convenient than a smartphone, considering my car use is mostly long highway trips. However, I understand that none of these would make sense if I'm only using the car for regular commutes or city driving.

That said, I'm not a fan of very big screens or playing videos while driving. Also, the lights from the screens alone can be painful during night drives. I think a system with an 8-10 inch screen, a dark user interface, and support for Android Auto/Apple CarPlay would work best. I'm not really sure about the price part, but 15-20k could be acceptable.

Here's what BHPian anandhsub had to say about the matter:

My Octavia comes with an in-built android auto, but on my old Verna, I used to use my smartphone mounted on an AC vent or dashboard.

Was once driving at highway speeds when suddenly the smartphone fell off the mount and into the footwell. Somehow managed to stop without any incident and stopped using navigation for the rest of the journey. The very next day splurged 35K on an android system and haven't ever used a mount since.

Here's what BHPian ssoni.1411 had to say about the matter:

Infotainment system's biggest advantage is the use of Google Maps and parking cameras IMHO. You don't need to look at your phone constantly while driving in an unknown location and you can always have a quick glance while driving. Also staying in places as crowded as Mumbai, parking cameras really help you park in tight spots.

Here's what BHPian Jeroen had to say about the matter:

In three out of my four cars, I still stream music from my phone, connected via a little wire to a cassette sitting inside the radio. On all these three cars I also have separate little nano iPods I can hook up to the cassette/radio as well.

My Spider apart from a radiocassette deck also has a 10 CD disc changer. Same on my Jaguar.

Our recent Fords had this Godawfull sync something from Ford. Ford could not update our maps for over 18 months.

So it is still me with a proper classic radio in the dash, with a cassette deck and iPod and for navigation, trust me, in Europe, nothing beats a TomTom proper GPS device with free updates across its WiFi, when you park in front of your house!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

MG will offer Hinglish Voice Assistant-enabled features powered by Jio's Digital Assets in the Comet EV.

MG Motor India has announced its partnership with Jio Platforms to offer a broad range of connected car features in its cars.

As part of the deal, MG will offer Hinglish Voice Assistant-enabled features powered by Jio's Digital Assets in the Comet EV. It will enable users to interact with the infotainment system with a combination of English and Hindi phrases.

The Hello Jio Voice Assistant is said to be trained to understand native Indian speakers with different regional dialects and tones. It will also enable users to check the weather, cricket scores, news and horoscope. Using the 'Hello Jio' feature, users can turn the AC on or off and play songs.

The MG Comet EV features a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that comes integrated with a Jio e-SIM. The car is powered by a 17.3 kWh battery pack that is said to offer a range of 230 km on a single charge.

The notification disappears after a while when the interior cools down.

Thanks to Dr. Bhaswanth Dhoorjati for sending this query in via this Team-BHP share page!

I purchased a Volkswagen Taigun Comfortline manual in October 2022. I have driven it for 10,000 km so far.

The only issue with it is that a "System overheated started" notification pops up on the infotainment system when the car is parked in the hot sun. The notification disappears after a while when the interior cools down.

I am sending some pictures to aid you in the diagnosis. I would be really grateful if I could get your opinion on this issue.

Thank you.

Here's what BHPian thanixravindran had to say on the matter:

Is this for the infotainment system? Forget about the real issue, why can't at least they write it in proper English? Product management and engineering team who specified and developed this should be roasted in the same heat

Any idea on which region it is to know the temperature (edit - saw 36deg) and whether this notification came during switching on the car (did the screen just froze or infotainment system didn't started up). This seems the 8 inch infotainment system which was changed due to chip shortage (aka cost cutting). So they didn't tested enough as we are not even fully into Indian summer yet.

Here's what BHPian shankar.balan had to say on the matter:

A little off topic even though related.

In the summer of 2018 we spent a lot of time sightseeing in Italy. I mainly use my iPhone camera for all photography. I used to use my iPhone XS Max at the time. At least on 3 or 4 separate occasions in different places, the phone would overheat and then stop working. And after placing it inside my carry all back pack amongst a few bottles of cold water etc for maybe 10 mins, it would get back to normal.

I think this ‘system overheating’ issue can happen to any and all electronic things. Especially if there is prolonged exposure to the hot sun. So in my book there is nothing abnormal at all. Best to park in shade.

Or if you have to park in the sun, reduce the time and keep the windows open a slit so that some air movement can happen.

Here's what BHPian audioholic had to say on the matter:

This isn't the 8 inch Panasonic head unit. It is the HU that comes with the entry level variants and seems to be India specific. Hence the poor implementation wrt English messages. The Panasonic HU is an EU spec unit and would have been tested far more rigorously.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

These issues do not occur at any specific time thus making it difficult to demonstrate the issue in front of the workshop personnel.

BHPian apollo_1999 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello everyone,

I purchased a Maruti Suzuki Baleno 1.2 zeta petrol in December 2021. It's a manual transmission car. Up until now, I have clocked around 22500km and the car performed flawlessly as expected. Starting from October 2022, there are multiple issues with the infotainment system provided in the car. The problematic infotainment system in my car has been a constant source of frustration and disappointment. I would also like to highlight that the infotainment system is running the latest software version.

• There is no response in the system while operating from the steering-mounted buttons.
• The unit freezes while operating Google maps.
• Apple CarPlay refuses to open up in the system while the phone is still connected.
• At certain times when the system freezes, the speakers emit a humming noise.

These issues do not occur at any specific time thus making it difficult to demonstrate the issue in front of the workshop personnel. I made some videos when the issue pops up in my car and shared them with the service advisor. After numerous requests to the SA, a technician from the OEM company, Harman came to inspect the system and pointed out that the cable I am using is a counterfeit one although it was an Amazon basics MFi (made for iPhone) cable which is certified by apple. I tried to convey the issues and also informed him that the problem is still there when I switched to another cable a few weeks back. A short test drive of around 7-8km was conducted and the issue didn't come up. After the TD the technician recommended that I should use the cable that came with the phone. Also, the behaviour of the technician from harman was unprofessional. This technical visit happened in December 2022.

After a few days of shifting to the cable that came with the phone, I started to face the same problem again. I reported this issue to the SA again and again but did not receive any response from their end. After a few days, the SA replied that the technician is out of town and they didn't know when he will be back. Seeing the dealership's unwillingness to solve my problem I raised a complaint with Maruti Suzuki and shared all the details with them. After about 5 days I received a call from the workshop manager and another technical visit from the dealership's technical team was arranged. This time it was a home visit. During this visit, a 15km long TD was conducted and again no problem came up. in the meantime, I was told to report any issue if it comes up again. After 2 days the problem happened again and this time I made a video of it and shared it with the workshop manager.

A 3rd technical visit was arranged at the workshop with the same Harman technician. I took the car again to the workshop and upon checking the cable he blatantly claimed that it was a counterfeit cable, he even went on to say that I was using a fake iPhone as well. Until and unless I could demonstrate the problem in front of him he will not replace the system. Seeing his ignorance about Apple devices, decided to avoid a conversation with him. I spotted the serial no and shared it with the workshop manager, he assured me of his full cooperation and asked me to wait for the report created by the technician at the end of the day. As usual, the report indicated that it was the fault of the cable and my phone, not their system.

Utterly disappointed I dropped a mail to Nexa's TSM as well as the RSM regarding this issue but I am yet to receive a response.

Despite multiple visits to the service center, the infotainment system remains problematic and has not been resolved. From glitchy touch responses to frequent system freeze, it has become a liability rather than a helpful tool for navigation and entertainment.My standard warranty expires in December 2023 and the Infotainment system is not covered under the extended warranty.

Requesting fellow Bhpian's assistance in this matter.

Thank you.

Here's what BHPian audioholic had to say on the matter:

In the entire last 6 years of using Apple car play in more than five cars and a lot of different head units on temporary cars, I haven’t used the Apple Original cable even once. It’s always been Amazon Basics, MTT, Portronics and what not brands. So I wouldn’t buy that theory. However that seems to be an argument from the engineers side which might be right in their internal understanding and troubleshooting guidelines. Hence why dont you use the original cable for a few days and really rule out its not cable problem? Perhaps the Harman head unit is not capable of withstanding minor interference from a third party’s cable which would be shielded well in the apple cable.

Here's what BHPian MotoBlip had to say on the matter:

Have you tried doing a factory reset? Although I have the older SLDA system, I'm aware of a dealer mode setting(use mute + setting buttons together for a few seconds) in the newer model, please check whether that has a master reset option or similar setting, meanwhile you could also try updating the system yourself. I doubt it's a cable issue, have been using a third party cable on mine for years now and haven't had any issues.

Here's what BHPian Leoshashi had to say on the matter:

Cable is the first thing they check, happened the same with me. I'm facing the exact same issues on my XL6 and since it happens randomly, it's next to impossible to reproduce it in front of the representative.

The best I could do was record some videos and forward to the maruti representatives. Fingers crossed.

Here's what BHPian TorqMaster had to say on the matter:

Where do you place your phone after connecting the cable?

I used to face this often. Then i fixed a phone mount on my XL6 and used to mount the phone on it and connect the cable. This way the port of the phone doesn’t interfere with anything. This seemed to have helped with the crashes.

Here's what BHPian DCEite had to say on the matter:

Google maps Android navigation hangs on my Ignis Zeta Petrol since day 1 (Purchased on May'22).

The issue, like in your case, is intermittent. And when it does occur, simply plugging out and plugging the cable back in does not solve the issue. Unless the HU completely switches off and is then restarted (With the Suzuki Logo).

I too had showed it to Maruti Nexa in Noida(Motorcraft) who in turn arranged a Harman engineer. My story is similar to yours, where he tried to put down the issue to non-original cable, even when I explained him multiple times that issue occures with original cable as well and with multiple phones.

I think there is an inherent bug or flaw in the Smartplay system which either Maruti does not want to acknowledge or the Harman engineers don't want to fix.

Perhaps this might be one of the reason why Maruti is now moving to SmartStudio system , which might have this fixed.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.