Pioneer Smart Sync 4+

Developer obviously isn’t a regular user, as there’s so many little things that could be improved to make this a top app.

1. Get rid of the warning screen or provide the option to “never show this again”. There’s too much text, nobody will ever read it after the first time, and it stays on the screen too long.

2. The view widgets need to be customisable. The speed indicator is ok but I would rather have the direction (compass) than the altitude. The music/playing icon should have the option to show album covers in the square or not have the square visible at all (especially when it has nothing in it except an icon).

3. More widget options, especially making Navigation a widget. Rather than having to decide between viewing the Pioneer app OR the navigation app, it would be so much better if the navigation was available in miniature as a widget forthose drives when seeing the navigation in full screen isn’t required.

4. There needs to be an option to add other apps to the list of choices, such as radio streaming apps. 5. Steering wheel controls for the head unit should be programable from the app.

6. Screen background “live” options should be integrated with whatever content is playing.

7. Provide an option to not be alerted when the connection to the device (head unit) is lost. I’m pretty sure most people know when they’ve just turned their vehicle off. It’s just another annoying popup.

8. Microphone volume control. Where is it?

I chose the single sin unit because of this app. My phone is a better than any double din unit operating system and can be updated far more easily than a whole stereo.

I used the app for 3 months. It made setup and customising of the stereo so much easier. Colour and display settings are a breeze. I usually give up trying because it’s just to difficult.

I like the shortcut from the unit to start the mapping software without searching through the phone.

Beyond that... it took far to long for the app to start and then allow the Bluetooth to connect.

If my music started before the app, allowing the app to start would turn the music off. I then had to open the music app to make it work again.

The confirmation screen is more distracting than using the phone to make a call whilst driving. Needs to go! In the 3 months I didn’t read it once because its in fine print. Stupid idea for a warning to not use the phone whilst driving.

The main screen is ok but has very little to customise. Stuck with what the stereo is playing, a clock, and Speedo/altimeter. It would be good if I could add an OBD2, TMS or dash cam, anything! to the main screen.

To summarise, once you’ve setup the colours etc for the unit, delete the app. Every is faster and works just fine.

Have been using this for about 8 months now. Connecting wirelessly etc was always a bit unstable and iffy. Recent update has improved this somewhat. But the same update removed functionality and features that I used and liked. The clock and speedo are gone and no option to bring them back, as well as the animated backgrounds which I really enjoyed, would really like to see all of the above bought back.