Toyota is thinking about a Windows Phone app

[someoneinwa]

A while back I posted a response I received from Starbucks (a Microsoft corporate neighbor) that said they had no plans for an official Windows Phone app. I suggested that Mr. Ballmer should be looking at which brand of coffee is served on his corporate campus.

Now I have received a response from Toyota that is somewhat more positive about their current lack of a Windows Phone app for their Entune service. I recently purchased my 7th Toyota vehicle, so I'd think that marks me a good customer, and was annoyed that the upgraded navigation/entertainment system I paid for...that prominently includes Bing search by the way...is not accessible to me because I have a Windows Phone. I asked Toyota if they planned to make a WP app or....even better....just use a web based site to connect their services. Here is the response:

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We appreciate the time you have taken to email us and are sincerely sorry to hear of your dissatisfaction with the mobile phones made compatible with Entune.

The Entune application is only available for download through the Apple iTunes and Google Play stores. Toyota is looking at ways to increase the number of new vehicle buyers who will have access to Entune application features. However, at this time there are no announced plans to offer the Entune app for Windows phones, but your interest will be made available for review by our telematics group.

Please visit our website for the latest information on our Entune application.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

XXXXXX
Toyota Customer Experience

I liked the "Toyota is looking at ways to increase...access to Entune" and "there are no announced plans" phrases. This might mean nothing at all but it is certainly a better approach to take with a customer than the language Starbucks used.

I plan to keep pestering Toyota about this. In the meantime, I will enjoy the rest of the nav/entertainment system, which is still pretty cool.

 

[hopmedic]

This would be awesome! It wouldn't make a difference for my car, but my '07 Camry Hybrid (my first Toyota) has made me a fan of Toyota's!

 

[jason8957]

I have a Highlander on order. I will let Toyota Customer Service know that I would like such an app as well.

I have had 2 previous Toyotas and a Lexus; they were good vehicles.

 

[Jeff_Kelley]

Note that with Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 (Developer Preview), you can use Entune with your Toyota without installing any app on the phone.

See my post in the thread "Petition to Toyota".

 

[DjRekeytoe]

create contact named "Cortana" using the phone number 555-555-9876 on your phone. You can then dial Cortana wait for the tone and you will have cortana features that smoke the the features entune offers using an iphone or android. The only drawback is the wait for cortana but you can aask where am I or how far to las vegas and even txting becomes alive. So don't be discoraged by not having an WP app. Note I am WP8.1 cyan

 

[JLA442]

I have a 2014 Tundra with Nav and tried the adding Cortana as a contact...not sure how that is actually supposed to work? I dialed and it actually dials a number. Can you elaborate more on how this works. I have a Nokia 920 and would like to use some of the Entune stuff and/or access Cortana as described.

 

[tanker1983]

Note that with Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 (Developer Preview), you can use Entune with your Toyota without installing any app on the phone.

See my post in the thread "Petition to Toyota".

I set up the BT PAN and it works perfectly.

 

[jeffchapik]

I have a 2014 Tundra with Nav and tried the adding Cortana as a contact...not sure how that is actually supposed to work? I dialed and it actually dials a number. Can you elaborate more on how this works. I have a Nokia 920 and would like to use some of the Entune stuff and/or access Cortana as described.

This works perfectly for me on my Lumia 920, but I believe you must have the Developers Preview Update 1 installed as well, as I do. Hopefully it with roll out to everyone in the next update.