Apple Music

[gbstark]

Can you install the Apple Music app on the vehicle itself? I know you can access it via a phone (either Android or iPhone), but I was just curious whether you could listen without having to have a phone in the vehicle. Thanks!

 

[El Chorizo126 83]

Can you install the Apple Music app on the vehicle itself? I know you can access it via a phone (either Android or iPhone), but I was just curious whether you could listen without having to have a phone in the vehicle. Thanks!

I don't _think_ you can, but don't quote me on that

 

[BobikH]

Can you install the Apple Music app on the vehicle itself? I know you can access it via a phone (either Android or iPhone), but I was just curious whether you could listen without having to have a phone in the vehicle. Thanks!

No you can't. Only Android apps.

 

[gbstark]

No you can't. Only Android apps.

It is an Android app, or at least that's my understanding (the Google Play store lists Apple Music along with Apple Music Classical, Amazon Music, Spotify, etc., along with many other apps I'm familiar with from the Apple ecosystem).

The reason for my question is that although Honda mentions in its promotional materials that you can download and install apps from the Google Play store, it doesn't really provide much info beyond that (e.g., can you pretty much install anything that works on an Android phone or tablet or is this limited to certain types of apps, how much memory is available for storing offline maps, music, etc. (a big deal in areas with limited cell coverage), is the storage expandable?—those types of things).

If I'm lucky, my Passport will arrive in the next couple of weeks, and I'll try this myself and post a short note as to what works and what doesn't.

 

[bigtimetexan]

The Google Play store is limited to what apps can be installed (OEM). There is a workaround. If you get a Carlink Kit, you can do whatever you want. It's basically an Android device that emulates to the screen by adding the complete GP Play Store. It doesn't add apps to the OEM but runs on the box and outputs to the touch screen.

Carlinkit CPC200 T-box Mini S Android AI Box

Transform your car with the CarlinKit Android 13 CarPlay AI Box Tbox Mini. With Wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to Netflix & YouTube, powered by Qualcomm QCM 6125 and 4GB+64GB storage, enjoy a smarter, more entertaining drive.

carlinkitcarplay.com

 

[gbstark]

The Google Play store is limited to what apps can be installed (OEM). There is a workaround. If you get a Carlink Kit, you can do whatever you want. It's basically an Android device that emulates to the screen by adding the complete GP Play Store. It doesn't add apps to the OEM but runs on the box and outputs to the touch screen.

Carlinkit CPC200 T-box Mini S Android AI Box

Transform your car with the CarlinKit Android 13 CarPlay AI Box Tbox Mini. With Wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to Netflix & YouTube, powered by Qualcomm QCM 6125 and 4GB+64GB storage, enjoy a smarter, more entertaining drive.

carlinkitcarplay.com

Thanks. My Passport showed up a couple of weeks earlier than I was expecting, and I picked up Saturday. There’s a lot to learn, and some of the app availability seems somewhat random. For example, there’s no Apple Music, but you can download Spotify, Amazon Music, a bunch of other streaming apps. I’m not sure what drives what’s available, but the gaps sure are annoying. I wish the capabilities were better documented.

I came across Carlink a few weeks ago. I only looked at it briefly, but I struggled to understand how it differs from just using your phone. I’ll check out the link you sent. Thanks!

On a related topic, do you know if the OEM system caches maps? A lot of the areas I travel don’t have cell service.

 

[bigtimetexan]

Correct Apple Music is not included as it's a direct competitor to YouTube Music. If I want Apple Music, I hold down the voice assistant button (I have it mapped to Apple Car Play) and tell it to play what I want, and it works seamlessly.

I don't believe it caches maps (based on quick research) but could be wrong or could be a setting change in the setup that addresses it.

 

[gbstark]

Thanks for the update. I’m not sure what Google is thinking on this one—Apple Music is fine on Android but not on OEM Android. Also, I wonder how Spotify made the cut (it’s also a competitor…).

While the above is an inconvenience, the biggest issue for me is the lack of onboard maps. I thought I might be able to get around this issue by using Gaia, but it looks like it’s not available either. I’ll have to look into other apps to see if there’s one of them that works, e.g., Backcountry X). It all seems a bit silly that I have to carry a second device (i.e., a phone) for the system to be able to reach it full capability, but I guess that’s the way it is, at least in the short term (it kind of reminds me of a modern TV OS where you’re at the mercy of whims of the manufacturer).

Honda, if you’re listening, please consider opening up the system to a more diverse range of apps. Until you’re willing to do that, my guess that the uptake on your subscription model is going to be pretty limited.