For the past few weeks gas prices have been falling to the lowest since February 2011. In Southern California, unleaded Octane 87 gas sells as low as $3.139 per gallon. Quite a difference compared to $4+ per gallon prices this April 2014.
Need More Parking Space
It must be tough to park this car.
One Hot Day in May 2014
I was stuck on the I-405 freeway and the temperature was as high as 107°F according to my car.
When the traffic was completely at full stop, I snapped a photo. It said 105°F.
Mazda Infotainment System Version 29.00.000
According to Mazda Connect Customer Service, as of April 2014 the current version of Mazda Infotainment System 29.00.000 for 2014 Mazda3.
Unconfirmed reports from Mazda Dealers version 30.00.000 might have been released as of May 2014.
It is not a good thing whenever the Infotainment System locks up.
Kenu Airframe
Kenu Airframe, which has been on the market for more than a year, seems to offer a pretty good solution in mounting a smartphone in a car. Kenu Airframe attaches smartphone on to the car air vent. It is compact and takes little space.
There are concerns with heat and moistures when mounting a smartphone on the car air vent. with that in mind, probably it is not a good idea to mount any electronics on the car air vent when the heater is on.
Kenu Airframe can be purchased at Apple Store, Kenu.com and other retailers.
——-
This is not a sponsored or paid post.
Apple CarPlay
Apple rebrands “iOS in the Car” as “CarPlay“.
From Apple Press Release:
GENEVA―March 3, 2014―Apple® today announced that leading auto manufacturers are rolling out CarPlay, the smarter, safer and more fun way to use iPhone® in the car. CarPlay gives iPhone users an incredibly intuitive way to make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch. Users can easily control CarPlay from the car’s native interface or just push-and-hold the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate Siri® without distraction. Vehicles from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will premiere CarPlay to their drivers this week, while additional auto manufacturers bringing CarPlay to their drivers down the road include BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp.
——-
I don’t see Mazda on that list and that is such a disappointment to me. I drive a 2014 Mazda 3 which in my humble opinion has an unreliable Infotainment System. I wish that Mazda would offer software crossgrade to Apple CarPlay.
Should you have further inquires about your 2014 Mazda 3 and Mazda 6, contact Mazda Connect team at (800) 430-0153. Ask them politely to consider adding Apple CarPlay support to your favorite Mazda cars.
Mazda Toolbox
Owners of 2014 Mazda 3 can download Mazda Toolbox to update the Map to the latest version available.
Even with the latest Map update, there are still a lot of missing Point of Interests.