Everybody wants Android Auto and CarPlay in their cars, and Apple's data shows that nearly eight in ten new-car buyers would abandon their purchase and switch brands if they can't get the phone mirroring system.
These figures show how important Android Auto and CarPlay have become for modern drivers, and despite attempts to block phone mirroring, few drivers are willing to give up on them.
A car that didn't ship with Android Auto and CarPlay from the factory can still get these systems in several ways. The most convenient option is getting an Android Auto and CarPlay media receiver, as several companies have launched units fitting a wide array of models. Sony is one of these companies, offering an impressive lineup of media receivers at different price levels and with features adapting to every customer category.
One of the most important parts of ensuring a smooth experience with Android Auto and CarPlay on an aftermarket head unit is offering timely software updates. Sony has recently shipped a pack of updates for multiple head units, bringing the software version to 2.0 on all models.
Photo: Sony
The receivers getting the new update are XAV-AX150, XAV-AX1000, XAV-AX3200, XAV-AX3250, XAV-AX5500, XAV-AX5600, XAV-AX8000, and XAV-AX8100.
The firmware update includes a critical security fix reported to Sony by Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative researchers. The remote code execution flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable media receivers, albeit it's critical to know that users themselves must run the malicious file.
Security researchers explained that the security issue resides in how Sony's software parses WMV/ASF files.
The vulnerability was reported to Sony in February this year, and the company developed patches for all exposed media receivers. The rollout is now underway, with the security advisory updated on July 1.
Photo: Sony
How to download and install the update
While it might seem complicated at first, mainly because the head unit doesn't come with a built-in Internet connection and, therefore, can't download updates automatically, the process is only a matter of minutes.
It all starts with the user checking the software version on their media receiver. If the current version is below 2.0, you can install the new version.
Next, you must download the firmware update package from Sony's website and copy all files to a USB memory drive. The archive downloaded from Sony includes three files (their extensions are .FIR, .U88, and .UP6), and make sure all these three files (and only them, without other files) are copied to the root directory of the USB flash drive.
Photo: Sony
In plain English, these files should be the first things you see when connecting the USB stick to your computer and accessing the drive. No other files should be placed on the USB drive.
Next, you must connect the USB drive to your media receiver in the car. With the engine turned on (which implies that the head unit is also powered on), navigate to Settings > General > Firmware version > Update.
Once you tap the update button, the stereo should begin the process by extracting the files copied on your USB flash drive. The process takes up to five minutes, and when it's over, the head unit should restart automatically. You can confirm that the update was installed correctly by checking the new software version in the Settings menu on your media receiver.
The benefits of an aftermarket head unit upgrade
While some people would rather get a tablet and install it in their cars to run applications like Google Maps and Waze on a larger screen – and have the sound routed to the speakers via Bluetooth – head unit upgrades come with a long list of benefits.
The most obvious are the Android Auto and CarPlay support and the seamless integration into the vehicle, assuming that customers pick the right model fitting their dashboard designs. Head units with floating displays can fit a wide variety of car models, allowing for an easy installation without blocking access to other dashboard buttons.
Photo: Sony
However, if your car already comes with Android and CarPlay but only supports wired connections, you don't have to install a third-party media receiver to unlock the wireless mode. Android Auto and CarPlay wireless adapters do this more conveniently by connecting to the USB port employed by the phone mirroring system and via Bluetooth to the smartphone. Their price has dropped significantly lately, mainly thanks to the market expanding with the addition of more affordable models, so you can upgrade from wired to wireless for approximately $50.
These devices can remain connected to the head unit and start when you turn on the engine, so you can keep your phone in your pocket to have Android Auto and CarPlay load automatically every time you get behind the wheel. Buying an aftermarket media receiver that supports wireless connections from the start is the more convenient yet more expensive alternative.
Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones. Full profile
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