[Mandy]

Originally Posted by jacobzking

NAV UNIT pt296-47121 $590
just enables Nav and nothing else that I'm aware of, PRIUS V module. this model has been tested and DOES work in FRS.
-or
NAV UNIT pt296-47130 $900 ***the one I ordered***
enables Nav AND ENTUNE (pandora, bing, moviefone, weather, traffic, open table, stocks, etc...) this is the newer toyota 4Runner model. this model has been tested and DOES work in FRS, just unsure about Apps, etc.
-or
NAV UNIT pt296-00140 $900?
enables Nav and BeSpoke. this is the "correct" part for our cars, but if the EnTune apps will work on our cars, I'd much rather have that over the BeSpoke crap.
so I ordered the EnTune kit which comes with the harness that connects to the head unit, the nav module and an additional "bluetooth" cable.

We'll call them #1, #2, and #3, respectively.

If I'm understanding this correctly, #1 is what comes with the 2014 Scions and is plug and play. Pretty much just does navigation and music/phone calls.

#2 is the premium audio that goes in pretty much every other Toyota; however, App functionality is in question

#3 is what would come with the 2014 FRS and has navigation as well; however, it also includes apps through Aha.

Am I correct here; is their something I'm missing? If so, it seems like Entune would arguably be the best option provided the apps have full functionality, which is still not confirmed?

If I can get this information I'll be calling my parts department today (ironically I was there just yesterday.

Edit: did some research via GooglePlay:

Entune: RATED 2.7/5

Entune® is a revolutionary in-car multimedia experience that keeps you and your 2012 or newer Toyota connnected.
Entune® is a collection of popular mobile applications and data services integrated with select 2012 or newer Toyota vehicles. Entune includes three years of complimentary access to apps and services. (After three years, access charges will apply; excluding Pandora®) Once the phone is connected to the vehicle using Bluetooth® wireless technology, Entune's features are operated using the vehicle's controls or, for some services, by voice recognition. Entune's apps include Bing™, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable®, and Pandora®. Entune's data services include fuel guide, sports scores, stocks, traffic and weather. Entune Prius Plug-in Hybrid Advanced model and RAV4 EV Applications include Charge Management, Remote Climate, and Vehicle Finder. Please go to Toyota.com/entune for details and applicable phones.

Thoughts A lot of users note it not working properly with their phones since the last update, hence such a low rating for the app. Not sure if Entune is phone dependent or not, but that would mean it's essentially the same as BeSpoke regardless. Here is a sample review:

Toyota makes great cars, but it fails utterly in the electronics side. Since I took my 2012 Camry in for its 5k checkup, the eTune has been a disaster. Before the upgrade, the Bluetooth connection was reliable. Not any more. It intermittently drops out, and what's worse, it won't reconnect. However, it will connect with the iPod Touch. Go figure. In addition, the GPS is a joke. I'm used to the Garmin, which I gave away when I got the new car. What a mistake. I drove the Camry to Las Vegas and back to Oakland, roughly an 1100-mile trip. The in-dash GPS failed and re-set itself five different times. I complained to the service person about this at the checkup. "We could not replicate it." Of course not. It is intermittent. This is enough of a disappointment to drive me to another make of car when my lease is up.

BeSpoke (With Aha) RATED 3.6/5

Aha organizes your favorite Internet content into personalized, live, and on-demand radio stations, making it safe and easy to instantly access your favorite stuff on the go, all from a single dashboard. With choices that span Internet radio, podcasts, music, traffic, audiobooks, Facebook, Twitter, and more (all as presets) your favorite audio is never more than a button press away.
• Instantly access the latest news, sports, talk, and entertainment podcasts (no sync required)
• Select from thousands of radio stations from the US and around the world
• Access your favorite Slacker personalized music stations (N. America only)
• Listen to your Facebook newsfeed, as well as Tweets from people you follow and Twitter lists
• Stuck in traffic? Listen to a real-time, personalized, audio traffic station (N. America only)
• Hear local restaurant and other search results filtered based on your preferences 
All within a single interface that provides one-touch access regardless of content type
• New content and stations added all the time
• Connect to compatible in-dash systems* and control Aha directly from your car stereo.
Choose from a virtually endless set of options, and let Aha manage the content for you in the cloud. Aha remembers where you left off, and can pick right back up the next time, even if you are bouncing between multiple episodes of the same podcast.
* Compatible with Pioneer AVIC-Z140BH, AVIC-X940BT, and Kenwood DNX9990HD. Connect your Android or iOS device and control Aha like it's built in to your car stereo! Additional compatible aftermarket and factory car stereos will begin rolling out soon.
To review any platform or device specific issues, please visit - http://aharadio.com/help/issues.html

Thoughts This is looking to fix a lot of the initial issues that the initial BeSpoke by Zephyr failed on. Decent reviews, but it seems to drain phone battery rather quickly and stay running in the background on Android devices. Furthermore there are some complaints of the app crashing.

From the reviews alone, it seems like the BeSpoke may actually be the superior system. Provided the Bluetooth connectivity isn't an issue, perhaps it's actually the better option. I'll continue gathering information so we can all make an educated guess.

Again, providing that the initial head unit is identical to the BeSpoke one with the exception of not having Aha integration, and sharing a similar interface to the old BeSpoke, and the current Entune, I think you're best off with the base system for streaming audio and navigation. The only reason I even went with BeSpoke initially was that I wanted navigation, not the bastardized version of it provided by Zephyr. If you do want all the nice features listed, it seems like the new BeSpoke system will be nicely functioned, whereas Entune seems to be having some connection problems with Android phones (seems to be horribly reviewed through iTunes as well). Whereas, again, Aha has 4-star reviews on iTunes, again, more connectivity complaints:

Purchased a 2013 Avalon Limited in march 2013. I love everything about this car EXCEPT Entune! As others mentioned, requiring physical teathering is strike 1. Pandora has yet to work since I bought the car. I gave up and just run the app on my phone and stream via Bluetooth.... Strike 2. The entune app update came out today claiming to fix the issues. I eagerly updated and just went to the car to try pandora.... Strike 3!!! I'm sorry but to roll out this system which is flawed across all toyota models with no fix in sight is bad enough but when you are purchasing a car that has a sticker price of $40k plus there is no excuse for that. Very disappointed in toyotas lack of attention to detail with this... Especially when there is page after page of complaints!

So in good conscience I can recommend the following:

Your best bet if you want something better than the FR-S stock radio or the horrible Zephyr-based BeSpoke:
NAV UNIT pt296-47121 $590

This is really the way to go in my opinion. It's priced right, it doesn't have the poorly executed Entune, has Navigation built in, and will still stream your music masterfully like the old BeSpoke.

Runner up:
NAV UNIT pt296-00140 $900?

The new BeSpoke is much more well integrated than the old Zephyr-based one. Aha looks like it does everything right where Zephyr failed. If you want Facebook/Twitter integration, this is what you want to go for. Why do I not recommend it as number one? $310 is a bit steep to check things that you could just check on your phone anyway. I haven't tested the voice integration, and I'm sure it's again, better than the Zephyr one, but I'm sure it's still unsafe to be trying to check up on Facebook and Tweet people while you're driving.

Last place:
NAV UNIT pt296-47130 $900

I would like to hear a full review from OP as this is the unit that he selected. But I will pass my judgement based on my research.

My biggest gripe here is subscriptions. According to Toyota the Entune unit includes 3 years complementary service for the Premium Navigation with Enture and Display Auida and Display Navigation with Entune. After 3 years, it equates to $5 a month for apps, $5 a month for Data Services, with XM available for $14.49 a month. I'm not sure if ordering this stereo as a non-dealer installed option waives these fees, but I would never want to pay for those things that I'm already paying for on my phone. Might as well get it through Aha at no additional charge.

If you have a Blackberry, it may be one of the few reasons to stick with Entune as it is available on BB. Bing, iheartradio, Moviefone, Opentable, and Pandora are those apps you will be paying monthly for, all available for free on my phone, and things I don't need to be fiddling with while I'm driving. So I believe it's an underwhelming value.

Additionally iPhones MUST be connected via USB with this unite, whereas a number of Android devices can be wirelessly tethered for the app functionality.

That being said I will be ordering my recommended stereo today.