Smartphone integration

[wheelnut]

My 2019 V90 R Design does not have smartphone integration and just has the one USB socket in the armrest. A few basic questions please as I would like to retrofit this.
What is the difference between Smartphone Integration and the Apple CarPlay option?
How much would the software upgrade to enable it cost to have done at the dealership when it is in for a service.
I know I can buy the double usb panel and control box for £35 and fit it myself.

[ovlov04v]

Smartphone int is both car play and android auto. Can be added by dealer for £300. I think the Carplay only option is the same price.
Check on the Volvo accessories site under the Tech heading to see what is specifically for your model and year.

[Hogster]

Worth noting I don't believe the Smartphone dealer fit option includes additional USB ports, so you'd need to purchase these separately anyway.

[dchbrown]

I had smartphone integration fitted after delivery for £350 and that included the software and the dual USB sockets. This gives you both android auto and apple carplay.

There was also an option for just apple carplay but that is software only and doesn't include the dual USB. Not sure of the price exactly but I think it was £250 ish.

I don't think a dealer would just do the software for smartphone integration if you managed to source the dual USB as a spare part though.

[jodypress]

I'll add my 2p worth here. I ordered both Apple and Android and tried them both out.
They are both pretty useless tbh. When using maps for example they only take half the display.
I find it much more useful just to have my phone connected via Bluetooth and use Googlemaps on the phone.

When I had my car serviced in Decemebr they mentioned that there would be a system update early 2020 (haven't heard anything yet) whereby they were updating the Volvo Sensus to Android so would have live Googlemaps (standard system isn't as good, but is in the dash and HUD)

[techwatcher]

Originally Posted by jodypress

When I had my car serviced in Decemebr they mentioned that there would be a system update early 2020 (haven't heard anything yet) whereby they were updating the Volvo Sensus to Android so would have live Googlemaps (standard system isn't as good, but is in the dash and HUD)

Volvo have updated Sensus in the new electric version of the XC40 to a version based on Android and no doubt it will feature on new models.

However I think it's unlikely that we will see the Android version retro-fitted to existing models.

[dchbrown]

Originally Posted by jodypress

I'll add my 2p worth here. I ordered both Apple and Android and tried them both out.
They are both pretty useless tbh. When using maps for example they only take half the display.

Good point, the portrait screen in the Volvo means that you only get half of it for the smartphone. It doesn't look great.

I use Waze via Android auto when I'm driving into central London for traffic but the rest of the time I use the cars own satnav as the route appears in the dash display.

I do use audible for audio books and that's not too bad via this method, you just switch back to the normal maps and leave it playing. This is better than just using Bluetooth becaus you can control it all through the main display and don't need to touch your phone at all.

[Cityboy]

This is an important thread and I found an interesting article which perfectly summarizes the challenges with the Apple CarPlay integration with my 2019 V60:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/battl...h-shawn-burns/

Question: Does anyone know if Volvo themselves gets feedback from drivers on how to improve the new touchscreen displays? This seems to be the norm for other car companies for the software aspects of the car, so how does it work with Volvo?

[jodypress]

Originally Posted by Cityboy

This is an important thread and I found an interesting article which perfectly summarizes the challenges with the Apple CarPlay integration with my 2019 V60:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/battl...h-shawn-burns/

Question: Does anyone know if Volvo themselves gets feedback from drivers on how to improve the new touchscreen displays? This seems to be the norm for other car companies for the software aspects of the car, so how does it work with Volvo?

Great article and spot on with my experience with both Android and Carplay. I'll be calling my service manager soon as he did say I could get the Android update to Sensus, although I suspect that won't be out until the XC40 Recharge is launched later this year.

[techwatcher]

Originally Posted by jodypress

I'll be calling my service manager soon as he did say I could get the Android update to Sensus, although I suspect that won't be out until the XC40 Recharge is launched later this year.

You may be disappointed; we know that the Android version of Sensus features in the electric XC40, however Volvo has said nothing about retro-fitting it to existing vehicles.

It would be a major change and major changes tend not to make it to vehicles that are mid-life. Personally I think it's highly unlikely.