Why bother with the beta?

At this point, the beta is now the gold master, which equals the same version that will be released on Wednesday.

At this point, the beta is now the gold master, which equals the same version that will be released on Wednesday.

Agreed sounded like you were going with an actual beta version.

Sorry, I'm on 9.1 beta, not 9.0.

Sorry, I'm on 9.1 beta, not 9.0.

Did you ever use 9.0? I'm wondering if they made any changes to CarPlay between 9.0 and 9.1. Also, is the 9.1 beta fairly stable?

Did not use 9.0. Skipped straight to 9.1 Yes, 9.1 is very fast, stable and good battery life

I am using 9.0 GM with the default settings and I can see the album art better than before. But I don't think the album art is every going to be bright, clear and vivid. There is too much varity of color and complexity for the text to appear great on all of the possible albums out there. The Beatles white album vs dark side of the moon. What text color do you use? If the art is very busy, would the text be legible? The reason the art is soft and blurry is so that the text will be readable. It has to be, to be safe for the driver.

I am using 9.0 GM with the default settings and I can see the album art better than before. But I don't think the album art is every going to be bright, clear and vivid. There is too much varity of color and complexity for the text to appear great on all of the possible albums out there. The Beatles white album vs dark side of the moon. What text color do you use? If the art is very busy, would the text be legible? The reason the art is soft and blurry is so that the text will be readable. It has to be, to be safe for the driver.

I just think I preferred it the way it was when some of the art was clear and then faded out towards the bottom. Now, it just looks like a shapeless blob of colors behind the song text.

I do wish the artwork was a tad sharper but even when it was it had that horrible black mask over it. Yes in bright sunlight it is a little hard to see but I'm fine with that. The fade made it look like half my screen was broken and I'd barely see the top third of the artwork. I even toned down my brightness and contrast settings.

I agree. If the artwork were slightly less blurry, it would be a lot better. Depending on the album art, it sometimes looks just like abstract colors and not really recognizable as the album cover.

It's funny, the one thing that bothers me is that they moved the artist name from the top line and now put it on the same line as the album name, separated by a dash.

man I wish they just displayed the normal full artwork...

man I wish they just displayed the normal full artwork...

Me too. Just have it slightly dimmed and not blurry at all, and it would look fantastic. Anybody know how to suggest that to Apple? There's no CarPlay feedback submission form.

Anybody know how to suggest that to Apple? There's no CarPlay feedback submission form.

I suggested it through the 9.1 Beta feedback. We'll see if Apple listens.

I suggested it through the 9.1 Bets feedback. We'll see if Apple listens.

Maybe I'll submit an iPhone feedback comment and see if anyone's listening about CarPlay.

Album art for Pandora (with the Carplay "now playing" view) is much improved with ios 9.1. The image is bright enough to see easily, and (to my eye) sharper than the images posted on page 3 of this thread from the beta version. Finally. 

Edit: Upon closer inspection, I see that Pandora is now a CarPlay app on the CarPlay menu. Nice... no more switching from the NEX menu to CarPlay to use it with the other Apps.

I have an 8000 so YMMV. Go into CarPlay and then hit the home button and then the Settings icon. Go to Picture Adjustments and the adjustment controls will appear over CarPlay. Adjust accordingly. This will not effect the picture settings of the main unit. Be sure to do this during daylight and at night so you can adjust for each time.

 

I could not even see album art with the default settings. Had to crank brightness and lower contrast a bit. So the answer to your question is yes.

I must be thick, because I can't figure out how to do this.  I have a 4200, so maybe its different.  But, can you slow down the steps here a bit.  I go into CarPlay.  Then I hit the "home button"... I am assuming you are talking about the physical home button on the 4200, and that takes me to the main Pioneer home screen... not in CarPlay any longer.  I then go into settings and there is no "Picture Adjustments" setting that I can find on any menu.  The closest thing is under Themes, there is an Illumination setting but can't figure out what that does... no adjustment ability there.

Also, is there a way to take screen shots in CarPlay... that would help convey what I'm seeing.

Thanks.

I must be thick, because I can't figure out how to do this.  I have a 4200, so maybe its different.  But, can you slow down the steps here a bit.  I go into CarPlay.  Then I hit the "home button"... I am assuming you are talking about the physical home button on the 4200, and that takes me to the main Pioneer home screen... not in CarPlay any longer.  I then go into settings and there is no "Picture Adjustments" setting that I can find on any menu.  The closest thing is under Themes, there is an Illumination setting but can't figure out what that does... no adjustment ability there.

 

Also, is there a way to take screen shots in CarPlay... that would help convey what I'm seeing.

 

Thanks.

When all else fails, read the manual.  Now I see Picture Adjustments, but it is greyed out.  Its so greyed out that I couldn't read that it was Picture Adjustments.  Any idea how to get this to come back?  I tried it with my iPhone attached, and with it not attached... stays greyed out.  

When all else fails, read the manual.  Now I see Picture Adjustments, but it is greyed out.  Its so greyed out that I couldn't read that it was Picture Adjustments.  Any idea how to get this to come back?  I tried it with my iPhone attached, and with it not attached... stays greyed out.  

Seems I should have spent more time on Google before posting any of this.  I don't have the micro bypass installed and that appears to block this menu.  Just ordering one... hopefully that will fix my issue.

I have an 8000 so YMMV. Go into CarPlay and then hit the home button and then the Settings icon. Go to Picture Adjustments and the adjustment controls will appear over CarPlay. Adjust accordingly. This will not effect the picture settings of the main unit. Be sure to do this during daylight and at night so you can adjust for each time.

 

I could not even see album art with the default settings. Had to crank brightness and lower contrast a bit. So the answer to your question is yes.

This is how I do it on an 8000 NEX. Not sure if your unit is the same. 

I must be thick, because I can't figure out how to do this.  I have a 4200, so maybe its different.  But, can you slow down the steps here a bit.  I go into CarPlay.  Then I hit the "home button"... I am assuming you are talking about the physical home button on the 4200, and that takes me to the main Pioneer home screen... not in CarPlay any longer.  I then go into settings and there is no "Picture Adjustments" setting that I can find on any menu.  The closest thing is under Themes, there is an Illumination setting but can't figure out what that does... no adjustment ability there.

 

Also, is there a way to take screen shots in CarPlay... that would help convey what I'm seeing.

 

Thanks.

See my post that I responded to you on, on Mac Rumors. Take a screen shot the same way you would take a screen shot of your phone. While in CarPlay and your phone is in sleep, press sleep and home button.