So you’ve finally decided to take the leap and get your own car to help you run errands while social distancing. We’ve talked about everything you need to consider before making your purchase and all the safety functions you need to make your drive safe—but what about those functions you need to keep yourself entertained on the road?
Over the past year, we’ve seen innovations in technology that promise to improve our experience indoors. While we’re not exactly the biggest tech enthusiasts out there, we’re looking for new ways to stay entertained—whether it’s through investing in upgrades for our home entertainment systems or finding vehicles that have the same capabilities.
Screen sharing
By now, you’ve probably figured out how to use your smartphone’s capabilities on a much bigger scale—whether through mirroring your phone screens to your TV so you can play games and stream videos wirelessly, or connecting to smart speakers so you can listen to new music releases on blast.
It’s something you can do as well with cars like the Toyota Fortuner, whose LTD, Q, V and G variants are compatible with programs like Android Auto. All you have to do is plug in your phone to display some of your favorite music and podcast apps on your car display.
To minimize distractions on the road, Android Auto has a navigation bar that lets you control apps and access voice control with fewer taps. Just say “Hey Google” and get started on a new audiobook or get the news updates you need to start the day.
Virtual assistants
Over the past few years, virtual assistants and programs that connect a smartphone to the rest of your home have found their way to more households. Home assistants have made it possible for people to control appliances and play music through voice commands, while other mobile apps help figure out other functions.
Fortunately, these functions are slowly finding their way to cars as well. Programs like Apple CarPlay are compatible with new Toyota Fortuner models, which come with voice command functionality. All you need to do is ask Siri to give you navigation alerts or become your personal DJ while you’re focusing on the road.
If you’ve got a long drive ahead of you, Apple CarPlay can connect with your music and podcast subscriptions using voice command. Just ask Siri to start streaming that podcast you’ve been meaning to get to.
More speakers, less space
When it comes to quality sound systems, having more speakers is always better—but that doesn’t mean it has to take up more space, too. 2020 has seen the rise of soundbars, which are small devices composed of several speakers and amplifiers to provide enhanced sound quality.
The same thing applies to finding better sound systems on cars, too. Toyota Fortuner’s LTD variant, in particular, is equipped with a 9-speaker JBL sound system—a significant upgrade from their 6-speaker sound system on past models.
Check out Toyota’s official YouTube channel and Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages for more information on how you can buy the new Toyota Fortuner.