Apple CarPlay® and Android™ Auto on Mazda3

I received an email on Monday, November 19, 2018 from our local Mazda Dealer that Apple CarPlay® and Android™ Auto available as a dealer-installed update.

One short phone call later, the installation as scheduled for Wednesday, November 21, 2018. As mentioned in the email, the dealer pricing was $399.95 plus tax. I assumed that the pricing includes the $199 for the parts and software, and the labor cost.

I dropped off my 2014 Mazda3 early in the morning and was given a loaner 2018 Mazda3. I was hoping that the loaner Mazda3 would have CarPlay installed, but it did not. I was told that November 21, 2018 was the first day the dealer starts providing the upgrade.

Around 3:00 pm, I received a notification that my car was ready. I left for the dealer to pickup my car. After signing the paperwork and making the payment for the installation, I finally got into my Mazda3.

I connected my iPhone to the newly upgraded 2.1-amp USB port and turned the car on. There it is, Apple CarPlay in my Mazda3.

One thing I noticed is that I also have the latest version of Mazda Infotainment system. According to Mazda, the latest version  available for the OS was version 59; my Mazda3 had OS version 55.

After the CarPlay installation, the car now has OS version 70.

I only had Apple CarPlay in my Mazda3 for 2 days. The $399.95 + tax seems a bit high according tony colleagues. To me it is a worthy upgrade.

Mazda models compatible with Apple CarPlay™ and Android™ Auto upgrade:

  • 2014-2018 Mazda3
  • 2016-2018 Mazda6
  • 2016-2019 Mazda MX-5
  • 2017-2019 Mazda MX-5 RF
  • 2016-2019 Mazda CX-3
  • 2016-2018 Mazda CX-5
  • 2016-2018 Mazda CX-9

The retrofit includes installing new software and 2.1-amp USB ports.

2018 iPad Pro On Screen Keyboard

When Apple released iOS 12.1 Update on October 29, 2018, it also restored the keyboard layout where the “Numeric Key” and the “Emoji/Language Key” were in place of each other.

Now it looks like the 2018 iPad Pro, we have only the 11-inch model, still has the two keys swapped.

iPad Pro 10.5 Keyboard
iPad Pro 11 Keyboard

…And Justice For All (2018 Reissues)

Bang Your Heads Like It Is 1988… again!

The reissue and expanded version of “…And Justice For All” is coming on November 2, 2018.

Thanks to Metallica.com, we get the Cassette and 3CD versions a little bit early; the Box Set is scheduled to arrive on the release date.

…And Justice For All” (Wikipedia) was originally released on August 25, 1988. It was the first full-length record featuring Jason Newsted on bass, filling in for Cliff Burton who was tragically killed in a bus accident on September 27, 1986. The song “One” is notable for being the first video single from Metallica. It was also nominated and won for the first Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.

This reissue is remastered but not remixed. For those who hoped for the bass tracked to be turned up in the mixed shouldn’t hold their breath.

The Cassette version also comes with MP3 Download card.

From Metallica.com:

Embossed & Debossed Expanded Edition of …And Justice for All includes 3 CDs featuring the newly remastered album + previously unreleased demos, rough mixes & live tracks. Includes a 28-page booklet.

DISC ONE: …AND JUSTICE FOR ALL (REMASTERED)

  1. Blackened
  2. …And Justice for All
  3. Eye of the Beholder
  4. One
  5. The Shortest Straw
  6. Harvester of Sorrow
  7. The Frayed Ends of Sanity
  8. To Live Is to Die
  9. Dyers Eve
  10. Remastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering, Los Angeles, CA.

DISC TWO: DEMOS & ROUGH MIXES
PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

  1. Blackened (November 1987 Demo)
  2. …And Justice for All (November 1987, Writing in Progress)
  3. Eye of the Beholder (November 1987, Writing in Progress)
  4. One (Work in Progress Rough Mix)
  5. The Shortest Straw (December 1987, Writing in Progress)
  6. Harvester of Sorrow (Work in Progress Rough Mix)
  7. The Frayed Ends of Sanity (November 1987 Demo)
  8. To Live Is to Die (Work in Progress Rough Mix)
  9. Dyers Eve (January 1988 Demo)
  10. DISC THREE: LIVE FROM THE DAMAGED JUSTICE TOUR
    PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED EXCEPT WHERE NOTED BELOW
  1. Blackened (Live – Seattle ’89)
  2. Previously released on Live Shit: Binge & Purge. Remixed by Greg Fidelman.
  3. For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live at Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA – December 7th, 1988)
  4. Welcome Home (Sanitarium) (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England – October 10th, 1988)
  5. Leper Messiah (Live at Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA – December 7th, 1988)
  6. Harvester of Sorrow (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England – October 10th, 1988)
  7. Eye of the Beholder (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, England – October 10th, 1988)
  8. Seek & Destroy (Live at the Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA – May 24th, 1988)
  9. Creeping Death (Live at Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX – February 5th, 1989)
  10. Previously released as a b-side to one of the many singles for One. Newly remastered.
  11. One (Live – Seattle ’89)
  12. Previously released on Live Shit: Binge & Purge. Remixed by Greg Fidelman.
  13. …And Justice for All (Live at Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA – December 7th, 1988)
  14. Whiplash (Live at the Troubadour, West Hollywood, CA – May 24th, 1988)
  15. Breadfan (Live at Seattle Coliseum, Seattle, WA – August 30th, 1989)
  16. Previously released on The 6 1/2 Year Anniversary EP as part of The Good, The Bad & The Live box set. Newly remastered.