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The news was brilliant and cheery: Back in 2014, Hyundai announced information technology would equip its 2015 lineup, including the and then-new Sonata, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto back up. The Sonata got Android Auto before this year, but CarPlay support ran into a snag; now the automaker is saying early on 2016 for Sonatas to support CarPlay, putting it almost two years behind schedule, 9to5 Mac reports.

The update will all the same be free, but you'll now need to buy an SD card. Hopefully dealers volition be accommodating most this and not see it equally an opportunity to charge extra coin for something that should be complimentary. For what its worth, Android Car support is pretty good, but that'south a long filibuster for iPhone owners.

2016 Sonata

2016 Sonata

Meanwhile, Ford unveiled the much-improved Sync 3 late concluding yr, and began rolling it out this past summer. Sync iii ditches the venerable and archaic Microsoft-CE-based kernel for BlackBerry'south QNX, which already powers a lot of other carmaker's infotainment systems. It'southward smashing; we tested it. In the beginning, Ford said it would curlicue out on the Escape and Fiesta, and that past the end of 2016 it will exist on all Fords and Lincolns.

Sync 3 besides includes back up for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although it'south spotty. For example, Ford but announced it'southward rolling out support for voice-activated Siri Eyes Free on five million existing vehicles, but that'due south non the same every bit running full-blown Apple CarPlay. Unfortunately, those cars will never get Sync three, as it requires calculator hardware the existing models don't have.

That doesn't mean you'll get it even if you buy a brand new Ford. Auto and Driver but tested the 2016 Ford Escape 2.0L EcoBoost FWD, which had Sync three, also as the latest '16 Mustang. The magazine also juts tested the '16 Ford Fusion, merely that car still has the frustrating MyFord Bear on organization and Sync two, with no way to upgrade to Sync iii, CarPlay, or Android Auto. (Ford really meant it when they said "by the end of 2016.")

On the other hand, most new Volkswagens now on dealer lots at present have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. Just that automaker has its own problems, and over three months into the diesel emissions scandal, there'southward a chance many of those cars may never exit those lots.

For its part, Toyota has decided against supporting Apple tree CarPlay and Android Auto birthday for at present, preferring instead a hookup with Ford AppLink and a system sourced from longtime mobile GPS software maker TeleNav.

The lesser line: Be conscientious when car shopping. Merely considering a manufacturer makes an declaration doesn't mean that tech will really be in the car you plan on driving off the lot, particularly if yous're looking for native support for your favorite smartphone. You could be making an expensive mistake.