ok so my car is due for build in week 35..

 

my email with car config states I will have mirrorlink.....

 

 

I am not that familiar with all this, as I'd be fine with a CD player if I am honest, So my questions are....

 

 

1) can I use an iphone on the system? have skoda upgraded their system or are post-wk22 builds getting screwed over for apple?

 

2) generally what is the difference between mirrorlink, smartlink  and appleplay?

 

 

 I am ok with USB and bluetooth for music connection etc but I just want to know whether I am going to be complaining from minute one with them or not.

ok so my car is due for build in week 35..

my email with car config states I will have mirrorlink.....

I am not that familiar with all this, as I'd be fine with a CD player if I am honest, So my questions are....

1) can I use an iphone on the system? have skoda upgraded their system or are post-wk22 builds getting screwed over for apple?

2) generally what is the difference between mirrorlink, smartlink and appleplay?

I am ok with USB and bluetooth for music connection etc but I just want to know whether I am going to be complaining from minute one with them or not.

Post week-22 as far as I understand it all radios will have Smartlink (which encompasses mirrorlink, apple CarPlay and android auto). I would ring and triple check this with your dealer.

IF it only has mirrorlink you will only get Bluetooth audio from your iPhone. Be that music, phonecall or directions. It won't show anything on the display.

In Denmark smartlink is an paid option

It won't show anything on the display.

If you're talking about navigation, yeah, but regular Bluetooth audio (a2dp) shows the song + artist on my display and I can use the buttons to go to previous/next song.

In Denmark smartlink is an paid option

Smartlink is standard in the UK with SE and SEL spec from wk 22. Smartgate is a £100 option.

I've said this in another thread, but feel it is worth a repeat:

If Mirrorlink works as it should, you will have a miriad of things to look at on a screen below the height of the steering wheel and well out of sight of the road in front, even with excellent peripheral vision. Please do not buy a car if this is your main hope/priority unless you plan to always drive with someone in the passenger seat, who can do all the looking and screen-prodding for you...!! I see too many road deaths because of people not concentrating on driving.

In the other thread the absense of these distractions in pre week 22 build Fabias is really the deal-breaker for them, but I cannot understand this. Its a great car, safe, comfy and well designed, so Skoda in my view is quite right to shrug and say "meh, get over it!"

yeah sure why not.

So it's ok for you to buy one item from a vendor, and watch the news the day after and see that the item you bought an heavy price have a new functionnality that is not hardware related and think "meh, it's ok i got screwed by the vendor" ?

It's a functionality that a lot of customer want and you know why ? because the car maker are terrible software maker and that is ok. So seeing a well design, well ergonomic software that is properly think for the car you are eager to try it to see if it will change something in your way of using the car (and not driving it).

yeah sure why not.

So it's ok for you to buy one item from a vendor, and watch the news the day after and see that the item you bought an heavy price have a new functionnality that is not hardware related and think "meh, it's ok i got screwed by the vendor" ?

It's a functionality that a lot of customer want and you know why ? because the car maker are terrible software maker and that is ok. So seeing a well design, well ergonomic software that is properly think for the car you are eager to try it to see if it will change something in your way of using the car (and not driving it).

Don't get me wrong, I am following all the battles with Skoda with great interest, for the reasons you just said, about being screwed post-purchase. But, what I am putting out there is the sense of perspective that seems absent from the most "upset" amongst you. The same sense of perspective that leaves dealers and Skoda bosses scratching their heads. That is: If the car didn't work without Mirrorlink and Smartlink and software perfection and drivers spending the whole journey with their faces somewhere near their knees, then Skoda would have recalled all the undrivable vehicles from day one... Drive it. Then decide what percentage of your experience was ruined by having to look at the road rather than a touch screen....

Here's my perspective:

 

I don't like being taken advantage of, taken for a fool, and treated like a number when someone has got what they want.

 

My car is nearly 4 months old, and I am even angrier about Mirrorlink now than at week 22.

 

My view is this........

 

Ok, Mirrorlink does not stop my car from working

Neither does electric windows that don't work, or only having one seat, why not just make my wheels out of wood - for they are still wheels.

 

Where do you stop being a nodding dog and carry on 'taking it on the chin' shrug and say 'oh well, that's life'

Or do you say 'hang on a minute ,i'm being screwed here' then stand up for yourself and stop being a sheep that goes along with injustice just because it is easier.

 

I have spent £20k on a car that doesn't do what I was promised - sit back and thank Skoda for the pleasure of ripping me off?..........ummmm no thanks.

 

If any of you are happy to spend your life being taken for a ride, then go forth and be disappointed.

 

I for one will stick up for what I think is right.

I am not disappointed with the car, Kev. That's the point. It is a very good car. Your deal is "broken" by the last 1% of what you bought.

I have all the functionality that Mirrorlink would give, without actually using Mirrorlink. My 5 inch phone in a cradle on the screen for navigation, Bolero does everything else. I haven't lost out on function.

BUT, what does worry me, is if you get that last 1% you seem too desperate to have, then will you continue to pay attention to your driving or will you tempted to look down as so many drivers are, at the wrong moment...?

Nope. Not impressed with the vociferousness of your fight. Perspective lost.

Who said I was disappointed either?

 

It's a good car, but I had other choices for my money, and knowing what I know now, I would have gone elsewhere.

 

I couldn't give a stuff whether anyone is impressed or not, or what they think of my perspective.

 

My deal is broken by being mis-sold and mis-lead, if your happy with that, then all power to you.

 

Please don't question the quality of my driving, because that argument just looks and sounds ridiculous, I am intelligent enough to multitask and don't need to be patronised.

 

If you are happy, great.

 

We will have to agree to disagree.

I didn't mean to patronise you. Sorry..!

If you say it is a good car too, then we don't disagree.

Yes I am happy with the car and so should you be.

I question the quality of your driving, my driving and just about everyone else I see on the road. Every day. Even the police. That's what everyone should do. In this day and age, with all the distractions in the front, it is vital to question.

Have Skoda said to you that they are responsible for the deployment of the software which doesn't work? If yes, then they misled and mis-sold, if not then they didn't.

Knowing what you know now, and if you could turn the clock back and "go else where", which imperfections in an alternative vehicle would lead you to this same point..? Minor software problems? Thats what this is. Minor. Because you can achieve the same ends via alternative routes, and the car works fine!

Perspective!

The culture in this country seems to have changed. We are becoming much more like the US in its litigious culture. I, for one, am not comfortable with this. For example, it seems to me that anyone who has remotely followed technology would have seen that Android is not always a reliable OS in terms of compatibility. The car works as it should apart from a suspect infotainment system.

The culture in this country seems to have changed. We are becoming much more like the US in its litigious culture. I, for one, am not comfortable with this. For example, it seems to me that anyone who has remotely followed technology would have seen that Android is not always a reliable OS in terms of compatibility. The car works as it should apart from a suspect infotainment system.

The infotainment system works for what I wanted it for, Bluetooth telephone use and music streaming, the only thing that doesn't is the Mirrorlink, then it's only because it won't connect to every Android phone, only some.

Congratulations, you have all missed the point completely.

 

I know that technology moves on - i'm not an idiot.

 

This is not about that.

 

I was told during the sales process as so many were, that Mirrorlink was updateable - it is not.

 

That is misleading and lead me to buy a vehicle that was not as described.

 

So if you ordered your cars in white and they all turned up in black, I can only assume that you would all drive away happy.

 

I would like to have the car on my drive that I have ordered, silly me for expecting a decent standard of product.

 

Any imperfection in a vehicle is not good enough if it differs from what you were promised - simple as that.

I didn't mean to patronise you. Sorry..!

If you say it is a good car too, then we don't disagree.

Yes I am happy with the car and so should you be.

I question the quality of your driving, my driving and just about everyone else I see on the road. Every day. Even the police. That's what everyone should do. In this day and age, with all the distractions in the front, it is vital to question.

Have Skoda said to you that they are responsible for the deployment of the software which doesn't work? If yes, then they misled and mis-sold, if not then they didn't.

Knowing what you know now, and if you could turn the clock back and "go else where", which imperfections in an alternative vehicle would lead you to this same point..? Minor software problems? Thats what this is. Minor. Because you can achieve the same ends via alternative routes, and the car works fine!

Perspective!

There are many analogies:

You buy a TV with the promise of BBC iPlayer being available in 6 months. It doesn't come to fruition.

The TV still works as a TV, but the additional selling point you purchased it for is wrong. Do you simply accept that or are you aggrieved?

The fact is simple; yes it still works as a car, just as buying from any mark would achieve this. But we don't buy it because it's 'a car', we buy because it has X engine, or Y body shape, or Z ride. In this case the smart radio functions was a factor and when deceived the purchasers are annoyed. Fine it means nothing to you and you have been hasty to judge everybody who it is important to. If you're not bothered, move on and enjoy your car! Others won't. The same way some enjoy filming a concert and others enjoy watching. Personal preference is not for you to judge, but the fact remains that many were misold.

There are many analogies:

You buy a TV with the promise of BBC iPlayer being available in 6 months. It doesn't come to fruition.

The TV still works as a TV, but the additional selling point you purchased it for is wrong. Do you simply accept that or are you aggrieved?

The fact is simple; yes it still works as a car, just as buying from any mark would achieve this. But we don't buy it because it's 'a car', we buy because it has X engine, or Y body shape, or Z ride. In this case the smart radio functions was a factor and when deceived the purchasers are annoyed. Fine it means nothing to you and you have been hasty to judge everybody who it is important to. If you're not bothered, move on and enjoy your car! Others won't. The same way some enjoy filming a concert and others enjoy watching. Personal preference is not for you to judge, but the fact remains that many were misold.

 

I was thinking along those lines too.

 

Imagine buying a Satnav with lifetime updates - then finding out that was simply untrue, and you are stuck with the same maps for life.

That too is simply an annoying little software niggle is it?

 

You would take that Satnav back.

There are many analogies:

You buy a TV with the promise of BBC iPlayer being available in 6 months. It doesn't come to fruition.

The TV still works as a TV, but the additional selling point you purchased it for is wrong. Do you simply accept that or are you aggrieved?

The fact is simple; yes it still works as a car, just as buying from any mark would achieve this. But we don't buy it because it's 'a car', we buy because it has X engine, or Y body shape, or Z ride. In this case the smart radio functions was a factor and when deceived the purchasers are annoyed. Fine it means nothing to you and you have been hasty to judge everybody who it is important to. If you're not bothered, move on and enjoy your car! Others won't. The same way some enjoy filming a concert and others enjoy watching. Personal preference is not for you to judge, but the fact remains that many were misold.

 

Talking on analogies, this is the one I used on my first call with Kate..

 

Imagine you'd paid alot of money to have your kitchen refitted complete with integrated appliances. Everything is wonderful except there is a problem with the stove. You'd expect the company to sort out the stove and if they can'r do that to replace the whole cooker. But what they offer you instead is a camping stove. That's how I see the offer of a Garmin satnav sits in relation to the (functional and upgradable) integrated infortainment system that I was lead to believe I was buying by Skoda..

Edited 19 July, 201510 yr by fabmk3

There are many analogies:

You buy a TV with the promise of BBC iPlayer being available in 6 months. It doesn't come to fruition.

The TV still works as a TV, but the additional selling point you purchased it for is wrong. Do you simply accept that or are you aggrieved?

The fact is simple; yes it still works as a car, just as buying from any mark would achieve this. But we don't buy it because it's 'a car', we buy because it has X engine, or Y body shape, or Z ride. In this case the smart radio functions was a factor and when deceived the purchasers are annoyed. Fine it means nothing to you and you have been hasty to judge everybody who it is important to. If you're not bothered, move on and enjoy your car! Others won't. The same way some enjoy filming a concert and others enjoy watching. Personal preference is not for you to judge, but the fact remains that many were misold.

If the BBC made the TV, then yep they'd deserve all the wrath. And if iplayer was a part of your purchase contract - like say 4 wheels and an engine from Skoka are, then yes flame the b*stards. Have you noticed that network connected DVD's and bluray players that were sold sporting BBC's iplayer app suddenly no longer support it since about a year ago? Why? The BBC withdrew it. How many customers have tried to take Samsung or Sony to court? None! ..why...?

Y

 

If the BBC made the TV, then yep they'd deserve all the wrath. And if iplayer was a part of your purchase contract - like say 4 wheels and an engine from Skoka are, then yes flame the b*stards. Have you noticed that network connected DVD's and bluray players that were sold sporting BBC's iplayer app suddenly no longer support it since about a year ago? Why? The BBC withdrew it. How many customers have tried to take Samsung or Sony to court? None! ..why...?

 

You are making the wrong comparison.

If Sygic is removed from Mirrorlink, then that would be the same as you are suggesting and would be up to them.

 

This is not about the apps available, but what the SYSTEM ITSELF is meant to provide. 

 

If your TV was meant to be upgradeable in future with say Apple TV, and you purchase on that basis, then you have every right to return the goods - it is not as described.

 

We can all pick holes in analogies until we are blue in the faces, but the facts are these:

 

You don't understand my argument, and I sure as hell don't get yours, and that's ok, but I will not be criticised for taking a path which I feel is just.

I do understand your argument, I've followed every word of it. I'm sorry Kev, but you do not understand mine. Mirrorlink is a seperate company to Skoda, and if you want good reactions out of Skoda, stop hurling mud at them, and understand exactly who is blamable and for what!

Y

 

 

This is not about the apps available, but what the SYSTEM ITSELF is meant to provide. 

 

Sorry, just want to deal with the central nugget, about the "system itself". It is interesting because the system you refer to is capable of supporting a wide variety of third party software, all of which is licensed to Skoda under contract. The vast majority of those bits of software e.g mp3 codecs, flac, jpg images, bluetooth, all work flawlessly.. well, nearly flawlessly. The provider of the bit that doesn't and that causes you the greatest heartache, Mirrorlink, has a contract with Skoda, and I am sure that both companies are right now scrutinising the small print. But, Mirrorlink does actually work! Sygic have proved that the system works. So the system itself isn't the problem. You know, and I know what the real problem is.. 5mph! After 5mph, all the apps running on the Mirrorlink platform cease to function UNLESS they have the necessary certification and digital "key" (sygic is the only? software provider thats been bothered to go the whole hog.. I think). Since Mirrorlink is essentially defunct in terms of future contracts with car manufacturers, it is unlikely that other software providers will be bothered to purchase the necessary licensing rights.

NONE of the above is Skoda's fault.

I do understand your point, but as I have said to Skoda many times..........

 

I am a customer of Skoda, NOT Mirrorlink and my contract of sale is with Skoda (Progress Skoda) - that's the law.

 

Mirrorlink hasn't just appeared inside the Bolero, Skoda put it there.

 

Mirrorlink is NOT faulty, it's poor, but apparently it can work, that is NOT my point.

 

For the umpteenth time, it is not updateable, and I (plus many more) were told that it was.

 

We would have all waited 3 months before buying if Skoda had been honest from the start, then all this could have been avoided. 

 

That is the key to all of this. 

 

Sorry to whoever started this topic, as we seem to have high-jacked it!

that's ok - carry on.

that's ok - carry on.

 

I really don't want to!

Only so many times and ways you can make the same point.