2018 RT-L question...

[Easy Rider]

Sorry Bob, I think you’ll have to get a smartphone for that feature to work on the Spyder.

AND......given what he said earlier, he might have to ride to where there IS cell service periodically to get the internal maps updated.

If this new system has bluetooth, wouldn't a "standard" GPS work and just communicate audio to the builtin system ??

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I talked to the BRP rep at the Spyder in the Hills Rally in Boerne a couple weeks ago, and ask him about that. He said that the 2018 Spyder has no GPS on board and, it depends on getting it from your smart phone, so I don’t think it can navigate on its own. And it doesn’t work with all map apps either. I don’t even think google maps was one that would work. More could be added in the future though. Sorry Bob, I think you’ll have to get a smartphone for that feature to work on the Spyder.

I'm inclined to think that is the way it is. But then again, how much can we trust BRP promotional material? The website for the RT has a footnote that Genius Maps is a trademark of Genius Media Group. Wrong company! It belongs to Mireo, Inc. Genius Media publishes song lyrics.

Anyway here is what is on the RT website. https://www.brp.ca/content/canam-spyder/en_US/technologies.html

Be the first rider on the open road to access different vehicle-optimized smartphone apps with Can-Am Spyder. Get directions with Genius Map†, listen to your favorite songs with Music, check the weather with Accuweather †, share experiences with your community with Rever†, and more — all while enjoying your ride.

Here is what the RT brochure has. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...18_RT_EN.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2Z0gKFkl7TCZebeRGlNSOK

Large panoramic 7.8” wide LCD color display
with BRP Connect™: allowing the integration
of vehicle-optimized smartphone apps such
as media, navigation and many others
controlled through the handlebars.

The key phrases above are "vehicle-optimized" and "controlled through the handlebars". Rever is a route planning and sharing app with with what reads on their web site like a rudimentary GPS navigation program. Genius Maps is a free GPS navigation program with offline maps. Additional features are available in a paid version. A data connection is not needed to use Genius Maps while riding. Rever requires a data connection to download maps in real time while riding but not if you just want to log your trip. Neither of the two documents above mention Garmin at all.

What isn't discussed is if BRP Connect is a proprietary control and display communication protocol for which the mentioned apps have a version that conforms, or if there is some Android industry "standard" that apps are adopting that allows communication between the vehicle control buttons and the app to control the app, and to mirror the smartphone or tablet screen on the cluster screen. Whatever communication Apple uses you can be sure it is proprietary to Apple! The Android world is so fractured I don't think any sort of a closed or proprietary protocol would be widely adopted nor survive long.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

After looking at the info below it looks like I have to back off of the proprietary comment. Looks like there are several systems in existence. Note especially the bit about "decide which apps can be used on the head units in their cars" that is in the info from Bosch. BRP Connect may very well be proprietary and the only apps we'll see that can use it are the ones BRP wants us to see. Also, a big difference is all the systems I read about use the touch screen of the vehicle to control the smartphone. With the Spyder it'll be the handlebar buttons. So, unless an app developer believes there are going to be enough Spyder users who want to use their app, or unless BRP pays for the additional development, don't hold your breath for a slew of apps being available. BRP may not be such a hot feature after all if not many developers tailor their app for it.

Here's some more info about vehicle optimized apps. This is a quote from Jaguar website. https://www.jaguarusa.com/owners/incontrol/connectivity/incontrol-apps.html

Once connected to your smartphone, InControl Apps can be controlled from your vehicle’s touchscreen. To find out how to install InControl Apps and search for compatible apps, please click the link below. Once your chosen apps are downloaded, connect your smartphone via the USB port within the vehicle to use them through the vehicle’s touchscreen.[SUP]7[/SUP]

Here's a Google developer web page. https://developer.android.com/auto/index.html

Here's a discussion from Bosch about their mySpin system.

Interface

A streamlined interface presents only essential content to the driver. It displays the information that’s relevant to driving, with nothing distracting or unnecessary. mySPIN is compatible with a wide range of smartphone apps, including music, navigation, news and information, travel assistance, and communication applications. The apps retain their original look and feel, as intended by their publishers. It’s the same user experience, just transferred to the vehicle’s touchscreen in a special car mode.

Benefits


For consumers:

• Smartphone can be easily and safely used inside the vehicle
• More than music: some apps can be optimized for automotive use and cross-linked to vehicle data
• More than 45 apps are currently available for mySPIN, with more to come
• With mySPIN, smartphone apps maintain their original look and feel
• Works with the top brands in third-party navigation (including real-time traffic and offline usage)
• Integrates closely with the head unit, e.g. by sending information from the Parkopedia Parking app to IVI navigation

For vehicle manufacturers:

• The mySPIN whitelist lets vehicle manufacturers in each region decide which apps can be used on the head units in their cars
• Available in many regions (e.g. China) and customized for local requirements
• Supports Android and iOS smartphones. Support for other operating systems (e.g. Windows) is also possible
• Bosch is an established automotive supplier with decades of experience in automotive lifecycles and procedures
• mySPIN can work with very basic systems, even radios with older-generation displays, which lowers costs.
• Additional cloud services for product optimization (e.g. access to vehicle data) and cus-tomer relationship management (e.g. news channel) are available
• Vehicle manufacturers can rebrand and design the launcher app according to their own needs