Honda’s infotainment software controls functions such as navigation, audio, phone and vehicle settings. It is available on different company vehicles and works on different screen sizes. The basic functions of the system change slightly depending on the characteristics of the vehicle, so vehicles equipped with navigation and other functions may look different from those without.
How does Honda’s infotainment system work?
Honda’s infotainment systems have evolved in recent years to offer a much more smartphone-like experience than ever before. There’s a home screen with app tiles for launching or controlling various features on the infotainment system, each conveniently color-coded to indicate its purpose. System and Settings apps are yellow, Sound and Input apps are blue, and more.
To make navigating the system faster, Honda added shortcut buttons at the top of the screen that appear no matter what you’re doing. While listening to the radio, you can quickly tap the navigation button (if available) or switch between the XM and FM bands without digging through the menu or application launcher.
Screens in most vehicles have taken up much of the space that used to include physical buttons. There’s a volume/power button and capacitive (touch-sensitive) buttons for home and back functions, but no receiver button or dedicated buttons for other functions like phone or maps. The result is that the screen looks cleaner in the vehicle’s cabin, but the downside is that it takes a lot more effort to change radio stations and other settings.
Digital Gauge Cluster
On some Honda models, such as the Passport, the available digital display within the gauge cluster mirrors the larger infotainment system display for certain features. The smaller screen can display navigation instructions, music and media information, and phone features like recent calls and favorite contacts.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Most Honda infotainment units now come with the ability to connect a smartphone to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This brings many popular apps like Waze and Spotify and adds maps or navigation to vehicles that might not otherwise have them.
What is Honda Link?
Select Honda vehicles come with the ability to install apps, both on the connected smartphone and on the infotainment unit itself. Honda’s smartphone app can display vehicle information such as oil change intervals and fuel consumption, notify the owner of service issues and send navigation instructions from the phone to the vehicle. The smartphone app also allows the owner to remotely delete vehicle data such as stored navigation routes and phone numbers.
HondaLink also has the ability to remotely start the vehicle and set climate controls, track the vehicle’s location and speed, and can notify the owner if the vehicle leaves a certain area. Amazon Prime members can have packages delivered to their vehicles using Key by Amazon. It is worth noting that these features are not free. New Hondas come with a trial period, after which an annual subscription is charged. This cost is separate from any Wi-Fi hotspot data plan.
What is it like to use Honda’s infotainment system?
The newest versions of Honda’s infotainment system are simple and easy to use every day, and its responsive interface looks and feels almost like an in-dash tablet or smartphone. Having a home screen with an app launcher is key here, as it makes navigating the system less of a hassle when the vehicle is in motion. The icons are large and have symbols that accompany each app to help you find what you’re looking for. It also means that Honda can pack its infotainment system with features and not clutter it up with menus, lists and buttons.
Speaking of buttons, we now have a volume button, but no radio button. This is a change for vehicles like the Pilot that have not had physical buttons for several years. It is true that the number of people who listen to real radio or satellite radio is not what it used to be, but sometimes when using the radio, the lack of a tuner button is a real bummer. At least Honda does an amazing job of making the steering wheel buttons intuitive and easy to use. After a few days in a new Honda vehicle, the steering wheel controls become second nature and can be operated without much thought.
The displays themselves are bright, colorful, and offer a clear view from most angles. In addition to displaying navigation instructions or selecting the right song, screen visibility makes vehicle maneuvering much easier, especially in larger vehicles like the Passport, Pilot, and Odyssey where a clear view of the auxiliary or surround camera is crucial. . Touch inputs are quick and screen movements are fluid, making everything feel like you’re using an iPad or iPhone. Swiping between menus and zooming in and out of maps is intuitive as most of us are used to using the same gestures on our mobile devices.
Like most things Honda does, the infotainment systems found in their vehicles just work. The company has proven receptive to feedback, fixing issues with future product releases (cough, cough, volume button). Its simple approach to infotainment is refreshing at a time when many other manufacturers are trying to cram as many features and settings into their systems as possible.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn