Infotainment Software Update?

[CX_CO]

Anybody know if Mazda is going to release a software update for their infotainment system? The specs look the same in the new 6 but they've added a couple new features (like proper Pandora integration). I've pinged Mazda USA but haven't gotten any responses.

 

[hallr]

I would be very interested in this as well. I hope you hear something back.

 

[pirateRACE]

That would be really great. They've added some texting features too.

 

[CX_CO]

So, I'm getting nothing from Mazda USA. Anyone else get an answer?

 

[HandA]

anyone know if it is actually designed to where it can be updated?

I'd still love a button of some sort that would jump up a folder on a USB drive. They gave us 4 different ways to move forward or back a song and no way to move forward or back a folder.

 

[CX_CO]

I'd assume you should be able to update via the usb port. Their presser on the '14 CX-5 (http://www.mazdausamedia.com/index.php?s=31676&item=1068#Releases) says that they add Pandora and sms as well as beef up the voice controls. From the release:

"A new speech recognition system also allows users to repeat and shuffle audio tracks as well as search and select folders."

 

[nizzy1115]

I want this update too. Heck, id even pay for it.

 

[Tiphares]

anyone know if it is actually designed to where it can be updated?

I'd still love a button of some sort that would jump up a folder on a USB drive. They gave us 4 different ways to move forward or back a song and no way to move forward or back a folder.

I agree. It's annoying and frustrating using the USB drive. It would be nice if they speed up the reading process too. A 32GB thumb drive takes several minutes to read. Also, my system or phone has some Bluetooth issue where it gets stuck in a constant disconnect/reconnect loop. Very annoying and distracting to the point where I have to turn off Bluetooth. That makes it a useless feature.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

^ +1 . The TomTom in the 6 and CX-5 is the modular system. I'd be willing to pay for the upstate, but I'm sure any decent software/electrical engineer can help us out once they have access to the software int he Mazda6.

 

[paris1]

I checked with Pandora and they said there would be no upgrade available for 2013 models.

 

[nizzy1115]

How would pandora know, wouldnt this be up to mazda?

 

[paris1]

How would pandora know, wouldnt this be up to mazda?

You may very well be right, but this is a 2-way street.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

I don't think the typical rep at Pandora would know. I can imagine them simply Googling "Pandora 2013 CX-5," then coming up with no results, and jumping to the conclusion that it won't be available.

 

[HandA]

I'd assume you should be able to update via the usb port. Their presser on the '14 CX-5 (http://www.mazdausamedia.com/index.php?s=31676&item=1068#Releases) says that they add Pandora and sms as well as beef up the voice controls. From the release:

"A new speech recognition system also allows users to repeat and shuffle audio tracks as well as search and select folders."

That would be cool.

A 32GB thumb drive takes several minutes to read.

yeah, it definitely loads faster with a USB with less music on it. Which worries me that it may not be able to handle more features and it will be a "oh, the old hardware can't handle the demands of the new software" or even just a "woops, we didn't build in the ability to alter the programming"

A Terrain we drove actually could only either play the songs in random or play them in alphabetical order and every time we turned it off it went back to alphabetical. It took going through several menus to go back to random. Maybe we were missing something in the operation but the CX5 is better than that.
But even my cheap aftermarket radio in our P5 could skip up and down folders or even spin the dial and fly through them.
It is just distracting when I want to listen to a different artist to have to hit menu, then scroll down through the list of them. It would be nice if it would even skip to the next folder when you skipped past the last song in the folder you were in.

 

[BrzI]

Also, my system or phone has some Bluetooth issue where it gets stuck in a constant disconnect/reconnect loop. Very annoying and distracting to the point where I have to turn off Bluetooth. That makes it a useless feature.

I had that until I turned on the REMOTE SIM feature in my phone. Now it is all automatic.

 

[nizzy1115]

Also even if the low end nobody support person was working with the higher ups, he likely wouldnt be able to disclose it. Someone should contact mazda directly.

 

[Tiphares]

I had that until I turned on the REMOTE SIM feature in my phone. Now it is all automatic.

I'll have to check to see if my phone has that option or a similar setting. It is not a smart phone so I may have to just deal with it or upgrade.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

My 06 escape had a mp3 capable 6 disc, where you could change from folder to folder as well. I find that very annoying to have to switch to audio, scroll to change the music folder I want to listen to and then select a song inside to swap folder.

That would be cool.



yeah, it definitely loads faster with a USB with less music on it. Which worries me that it may not be able to handle more features and it will be a "oh, the old hardware can't handle the demands of the new software" or even just a "woops, we didn't build in the ability to alter the programming"

A Terrain we drove actually could only either play the songs in random or play them in alphabetical order and every time we turned it off it went back to alphabetical. It took going through several menus to go back to random. Maybe we were missing something in the operation but the CX5 is better than that.
But even my cheap aftermarket radio in our P5 could skip up and down folders or even spin the dial and fly through them.
It is just distracting when I want to listen to a different artist to have to hit menu, then scroll down through the list of them. It would be nice if it would even skip to the next folder when you skipped past the last song in the folder you were in.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

Apparently the 2014 CX-5 comes with an integrated app for Pandora. Quite convenient as we no longer have to stream through bluetooth and mess without phones while driving. I'll slowly wait for someone to pick up a 2014 with the Tech Pack and have them upload their software for us.

 

[ReManG]

This is interesting:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/01/ford-opens-up-sync-to-any-interested-party/#more-472783

As long as Mazda does not change the button layout (simpler is better IMHO) to something like the Ford layout, I would appreciate an open source app platform.