Just last month Hyundai announced that the 2015 Hyundai Sonata would be the first to market in the US with Android Auto. About the same time, Honda also quietly announced that the 2016 Honda Pilot would feature a brand new audio system powered by Google’s Android OS. To be clear, this is not Android Auto, but rather the full Android OS.
Not much has been said about the specs of the device, but we were able to confirm that it runs Android 4.2.2. Here is a complete rundown of what we know at this time.
- Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
- 8″ WVGA (800×480)Â Electrostatic Color Touch-Screen
- Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Capacitive controls
- AM/FM/CD
- Included apps: a web browser and a calculator
- Ability to install/update apps and widgets via USB thumb drive
- Launcher has widget support
In the short time I was able to play with the device I was impressed with the speed and responsiveness of the system. It’s surely a vast improvement over the previous generation Display Audio system available in some of their other vehicles. As we get more information we will update you on the specs. In the meantime, you can check out the 2016 Honda Pilot at your local Honda dealer.
UPDATE:Â A number of people have complained that they have been unable to install APK’s to their system. I have reached out to American Honda and can confirm that APK installs are currently disabled. They assured me that the feature will be enabled in the future via an update, but they were unable to give me a time frame.
My pilot will not let me install any apks? I click next to get past the permissions but then it wont let me click install its greyed out anyidea why? I made sure I ensure the apps compatibility
Same problem. Did you find any solution?
I reached out to Honda corporate and they said that it is disabled at this point in time, but they will be enabling it with an update. No word on a time frame though.
Thanks, good to know.
I have Accord 2017 and I have the same problem cannot install any apk
did you find any solution
Any traction on this?
Still no word from Honda. :-(
The 2016 Honda Accord is also running the same configuration. I wonder how they plan to update Android in the car?
They are running a similar configuration, but the Pilot does not support Android Auto or Apple Carplay. The UI is also different on both vehicles. My understanding is that the updates will be over the air, through WiFi.
That could be interesting. I tried to configure the instance of Android Automotive on my Accord to use at least four different WiFi access points (a mix of Apple and Cisco products) and couldn’t successfully connect. The only WiFi I could get the Accord to connect successfully with was the hotspot on my Note4.
Here’s the issue. When using Google maps, the system will not afford spoken directions. Disable the bluetooth and the speaker on the phone comes live and all works, BUT the phone connectivity is gone. Huge issue in San Antonio as one can be is serious trouble with the law for talking on a phone without hands-free operation. Anyone have a solution?
The only way to hear the directions over the Bluetooth is to have the audio selected to BT audio, Pandora, or Aha. Google maps will interrupt any Bluetooth audio source, but it won’t work if your listening to FM/AM/CD/XM or basically anything not streamed through Bluetooth.
Thanks.
Want Android Auto & Apple CarPlay for 2016 Honda Pilot?
Check out these links:
https://www.change.org/p/honda-motor-company-2016-honda-pilot-upgrade-to-android-auto-carplay?recruiter=35294122&utm_source=share_for_starters&utm_medium=copyLink
http://www.piloteers.org/forums/114-2016-third-generation-pilot/87281-2016-pilot-android-auto-carplay-petition-please-sign.html
Any update of Honda Pilot 2016 running Android Auto. Because my pilot 2016 still has 4.2.2 and i cannot run android auto or use hondalink etc.
Is there an update on this. I am still waiting for the updates to enable may car to use Android Auto or CarPlay