Toyota’s Entune is another mediocre product I never found the motivation to review. Available in a variety of vehicles the last few years, Entune rounds out Toyota’s Navigation and Bluetooth capabilities with a few apps… that receive their data via your cellphone’s connection. It’s not that it’s horrible, but the experience is quite limited compared to any modern smartphone and held back by a resistive touch screen that is occasionally blown out by the sun (in my 2012 Prius). Not to mention, in my usage, iPhone and Android owners have very different experiences and I don’t trust the weather app as it’s often one day off (photographed today, above).
Toyota’s original plan had been to provide Entune apps free for the first three years and then hit motivated customers with a $5/month subscription or TBD annual fee. However, for presumably competitive reasons, Toyota has just decided to waive any further payments. Via the email blast:
We hope you are enjoying your Toyota and your Toyota Entune® App Suite service. Entune App Suite was designed to make your driving experience more enjoyable by providing in-vehicle access to popular mobile applications like BingTM, Pandora® and iHeartRadio.
We are pleased that so many of our valued customers are enjoying Entune App Suite. As a result, Toyota is proud to announce that Entune App Suite service is now included with your vehicle, at no additional or annual charge, compliments of Toyota. Please note that expiration dates identified on some websites and printed materials have yet to be updated. Be assured, your service will not be affected.