April 2021 Infotainment Update?

[Butch Cassidy]

I’ve heard rumors that Kia will update its infotainment firmware this month. Anyone have any details? I haven’t even received my Telly yet and I’m dreading the purple layout and even more dreadful and childish looking radio screen with the vacuum tubes. The three screen layout and nice XM screen in the previous version is one of the things I loved. Please say they’re going to fix this?

 

[bruesjoh04]

I’ve heard rumors that Kia will update its infotainment firmware this month. Anyone have any details? I haven’t even received my Telly yet and I’m dreading the purple layout and even more dreadful and childish looking radio screen with the vacuum tubes. The three screen layout and nice XM screen in the previous version is one of the things I loved. Please say they’re going to fix this?

Mapnsoft site continues to say April 12. Check back then for more info. No one is going to know anything until it’s released.

 

[ohmykia]

Has any

I’ve heard rumors that Kia will update its infotainment firmware this month. Anyone have any details? I haven’t even received my Telly yet and I’m dreading the purple layout and even more dreadful and childish looking radio screen with the vacuum tubes. The three screen layout and nice XM screen in the previous version is one of the things I loved. Please say they’re going to fix this?

has anyone who has picked up had the purple layout? When I got mine last year it was a version old. I'd be surprised if they were taking the time to upgrade them all.

 

[jilo57]

I just picked my new Telly last week and it has the purple layout and vacuum tube channel numbers. That doesn't bother me as much as losing the split screen! Where is it? That's one of the features I enjoyed most in the test drives I took!

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[sheefo2k]

Double post

 

[sheefo2k]

I just picked my new Telly last week and it has the purple layout and vacuum tube channel numbers. That doesn't bother me as much as losing the split screen! Where is it? That's one of the features I enjoyed most in the test drives I took!

Interesting, you're the first to report that the updated software is now preloaded on late 2021 models. I am expecting our 2021 to show up early May and now I know it will have the purple layout. I can deal with the purple layout but the vacuum tube channel numbers are simply hideous.

 

[mandmat10]

I just traded my 2021 EX which had the tri screen layout for a 2021 SXP which has a dual screen layout. I much preferred the tri screen. I thought it was an EX vs SX issue. So it's a firmware update? I don't like it!

 

[TheNip73]

Interesting, you're the first to report that the updated software is now preloaded on late 2021 models. I am expecting our 2021 to show up early May and now I know it will have the purple layout. I can deal with the purple layout but the vacuum tube channel numbers are simply hideous.

I am especially annoyed that the HDP radio info isn’t available - like artist and song. It only displays the station info as best as I can tell. Horrible design.

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[bruesjoh04]

I just traded my 2021 EX which had the tri screen layout for a 2021 SXP which has a dual screen layout. I much preferred the tri screen. I thought it was an EX vs SX issue. So it's a firmware update? I don't like it!

The most recent update (November 2020) changed the appearance of the main home screen layout. In addition to updating to the newest map data and changing the icons, etc, that was really about it other than some changes to the radio interface as well. It also introduced user profiles.

Where before the home screen used to consist of a three pane layout…


It now consists of a vaguely stylized map with the audio/weather/time on top…


But everything else is virtually the same. When you are in any other “app“ (maps, radio, phone projection, etc), you can be in either a full-screen or split screen (main app 2/3 on left and small app 1/3 on right) setup.

I personally do not care at all, because I really never would see the home screen one way or another because I am always using CarPlay (via a wireless adapter). Since I also like to see the Kia map, I now use CarPlay in split screen with the Kia map ever since 14.0 was released last spring. Ever since then, there have been no major changes to most of the system, it is solely the home screen format that everyone is complaining about.

The next update, 15.0, is slated to be released very soon (looks like Monday Apr 12 as of right now). It is unknown what changes it will bring (if any). We’ll all find out on Monday if it is released as planned.

 

[gman1868]

The new home screen is terrible. We love the three customizable widgets and they need to switch it back.

 

[Vietvet]

I was one of the first in our area to order the 2020SXP/tow. I got it in AUG 2019. It took 6 months to finally get it ( ordered in Apr) ..I have look at the 2021s and not so much different but for some cosmetics. I don't know why they would change the infotainment...mine has all I want...'cept wi-fi and the screen also being used for movies from a USB. But can't have everything.

One thing I did notice...we were their R&D. I think that is the way of anything brand new to the market. I haven't had any issues ...just some operator ones. I love driving it and family and friends enjoy it as well. As far as the sound system...yesterday I was working in the garage and wanted tunes...I had the T-ride in the drive so I opened all the windows and the hatch...hooked up to Blue Tooth and fired up the some AC-DC. It was well more than enough to have neighbors turning heads. Maybe next time I will open all the doors as well LOL.

Not much changed between 20 and 21...maybe if they feel they have a winner...not too much to change. I now notice a lot more T-rides on the road locally. Maybe that says something about it's desirability. When given a chance to talk to other owners...all are in the plus. Even had mine parked outside of a local restaurant. I was sitting near a window and saw a group of people checking mine out... Not so much to see inside as I had the windows tinted. They are a unique vehicle and KIA hit a homerun. I do as much as I can to make sure it will last my family 10 years at least...I joke and tell my wife that I might expire before the warranty...( mid 70s here).

 

[qwikhit]

Agreed with sales being their R&D. This seems common with new platforms to the market. I was part of that with my 07 Acadia. Great vehicle but boy did it have some issues. Sunroof drains leaks into the cabin (the Telly sunroof drains the same), timing chain failures (seemed to be an 08 model year problem), transmission issues (my trans mechanically failed just over 60K miles and was replaced by the dealer).

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[BrendonSF]

Mapnsoft site continues to say April 12. Check back then for more info. No one is going to know anything until it’s released.

Curious if you have a link? The main side just says "Mid April"
I had a link to a Hyundai knowledge center article that listed April 19th. However, they migrated their KC system off of FreshDesk in March, and now none of the links work. I'm not sure what the address is for the new help center site.

 

[bruesjoh04]

Curious if you have a link? The main side just says "Mid April"
I had a link to a Hyundai knowledge center article that listed April 19th. However, they migrated their KC system off of FreshDesk in March, and now none of the links work. I'm not sure what the address is for the new help center site.

The heading in the FAQ on Mapnsoft’s site says April 12.

It should be available for download then (update.kia.com).

Looks like if you want to get a ready-made USB stick, it’ll be the 19th.

 

[Humaid]

Update is available already, only for the US.

Notice | Official Kia Navigation Update Website

Check out the latest update of Kia navigation

update.kia.com

 

[Jaggrey]

Somebody do it!!

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[bruesjoh04]

Somebody do it!!

Already done. If you did the 14.10 update from November, you’re not really going to notice any differences.

15.0 is a map update along with some very minor changes otherwise.

No interface changes, no design changes or customizable options, no widescreen Android Auto.

 

[TheNip73]

I have nothing to lose after the last update so starting the process now...

 

[WhiteSX]

I have nothing to lose after the last update so starting the process now...

Nice. Keep us posted

 

[TheNip73]

Initial impression is not much has changed.

At some point during the install it says “25 minutes” - not even close, it was 45 - 50 minutes for the update to complete.

I noticed the car play icon is now purple, not green and when no media is played (unplug iPhone) there is a new icon that appears and looks nice.

Pretty sure the font size on the home screen where the time displays is also smaller now and has a cleaner look.

Still early, but so far things seem to have been polished up a bit.

I do not really use the radio often, so did not look at that yet. Next time I take a drive I will look.

Edit - radio seems to be the same as before.