Infotainment different (Google based?) in what year?

[MrABC22]

Looking in think the infotainment was changed software based to “powered by Android” ? Is that correct? In what year? Is there a way to tell?

Think it’s based on this now?
https://www.media.volvocars.com/glob...with-google-te

Is the newer “powered by Android” better in any way? Does the “powered by Android” based version have CarPlay installed by default now or still an add on?

What, if any, does the “powered by Android” system give over the older software? Anyone had a pre and post to compare?

It states that gets updates over the air, has anyone had any, and do they add/fix anything?

Thanks

[SnineT]

Originally Posted by MrABC22

Looking in think the infotainment was changed software based to “powered by Android” ? Is that correct? In what year? Is there a way to tell?

Think it’s based on this now?
https://www.media.volvocars.com/glob...with-google-te

Is the newer “powered by Android” better in any way? Does the “powered by Android” based version have CarPlay installed by default now or still an add on?

What, if any, does the “powered by Android” system give over the older software? Anyone had a pre and post to compare?

It states that gets updates over the air, has anyone had any, and do they add/fix anything?

Thanks

Yes 2020 iirc when it boots it's more tile orientated and possibly the clocks will be more modern with the clocks sort of pushed out to the corners and more half moon than circular like normal.

Yes that's it.

Not right now but it will be once they get the bugs out of it.

Less easy movement between the functions and a nicer Ui.

If they are available you will be able to download from the car if it's connected to wifi network or sim or you will be able to download from Volvo onto a usb key and load it yourself, OTA is better and faster way to do it.


Good video of it here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHBk8StKk04

Worth checking his channel as he's done a day by day experience of the car and he's easy on the ear as well.

[Haldex]

My 40 is Jan 2022 production - delivered first week of Feb - and I think I got one of the last Sensus-based cars. The redesigned model (slanted headlight design, deliveries started in March in EU..) all have Android-based system.

Google Automotive still being work-in-progress (search the forum for numerous post of people complaining..) I didn’t want to be a guinea pig/early adopter - so I actually preferred the Sensus infotainment - it finally got hardware boost (since about 2 yrs ago..) it needed to function flawlessly - and for everything else - I have the Apple CarPlay integration (or Android Auto, whichever you prefer..).

To my info, Android Auto is not available on Google Automotive system - but Apple CarPlay is there; not sure if it’s standard in UK but for eg. In France all but base trim cars come with CarPlay included.

[SnineT]

Expect it to all change again by 2024 when the rest get an EX90 influenced dashboard assuming that's in the pipeline that is.

[MrABC22]

Originally Posted by Haldex

so I actually preferred the Sensus infotainment - it finally got hardware boost (since about 2 yrs ago..) it needed to function flawlessly - and for everything else - I have the Apple CarPlay integration (or Android Auto, whichever you prefer..).

Thanks, when you say hardware boost, do you mean what I mention above as in the newer Senus system is “Android powered” ? So I’m looking at a few XC40’s ‘20 registered so will have this newer hardware boosted version?

Daft to think then that Android auto isn’t available on Google automotive, yet Apple CarPlay is!?!

I’m looking at XC40’s so reading your comments I should go for the Android powered, over the original version? Is there a definitive way of checking which version is included?

Thanks

[Haldex]

No, I mean exactly what I said - hardware was improved (RAM, storage and possibly a stronger processor) a bit over 2 yrs ago, to address the lagginess/freezeups users experienced in the cars released the first few years. The system is still Sensus. So your '20 cars will certainly have Sensus (the improved one, if you wish..) and not the Android Automotive system.

My guess the logic behind leaving out Android Auto from the Google Automotive is - you are already using Google as native system - with (most of..) its features - so it would be redundant to add Android Auto on top of it..

My personal preference was/is Sensus - over what Google Automotive currently offers - for stated reasons. I think you're mixing up the "improved" Sensus in the last few years of cars with the Google Automotive system released in XC40 beginning of 2022.

[Haldex]

Originally Posted by SnineT

Expect it to all change again by 2024 when the rest get an EX90 influenced dashboard assuming that's in the pipeline that is.

I expect Volvo will stick with Google Automotive - in one form or another. The system integration and features will certainly improve over time.

[SnineT]

Originally Posted by Haldex

I expect Volvo will stick with Google Automotive - in one form or another. The system integration and features will certainly improve over time.

Probably won't happen until new models of current models launch then it'll become the norm if Volvo really do go fell EV from this point onwards.

[Rustyfrog]

Reading up on the 'Google Automotive system' Volvo say it is free for 4 years then will subject to a subscription.
Not read anywhere just what that subscription cost will be.
Sounds like maybe a potential stitch up .

Anyone know different?

[SnineT]

Originally Posted by Rustyfrog

Reading up on the 'Google Automotive system' Volvo say it is free for 4 years then will subject to a subscription.
Not read anywhere just what that subscription cost will be.
Sounds like maybe a potential stitch up .

Anyone know different?

I would guess it's limited without a sub on certain apps rather than the whole system, if it's not and basically you loose functionality altogether after 4 years I'd say Volvo can wave off 80% of their customer base.