Apr 2021 Software Update removes widgets, WTF?

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scoutboy

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I purchsed my 2020 Kia Niro EV EX Prem May of 2020. I love the car and have grown accustomed to the apps and menus of the head unit. I recently updated my maps to the Apr 2021 software update. I skipped the Nov 2020 update not realizing that it was a blessing. I soon realized I was screwed once the update was complete and I found that the 3 widgets of my old home screen had been replaced by a purplish nightmare of a mashup of maps(?), radio/media and Date and Time. I not a big fan of the new layout and color scheme, however my biggest regret is losing the widgets. Now I have to switch to another screen like radio or media and swipe left to get a small widget that shows by battery condition. I consider this update a serious downgrade. I believe this is a campaign to role this interface out to all of the Kia cars. I have written my letters of complaint to Mapnsoft and Kia Customer Care with only MapnSoft replying that it is not their problem. Apparently the interface is a Kia design. What is your opinion of the new software?
 
I haven't updated mine from the original. Is new map data the only reason to do this update? If so, I never will update since I use my phone for navigation.
 
As far as I know, You cannot update your map data without getting the new interface. If you have the version of software with the 3 widget capability for your homescreen, I would not update.
 
It would be a bit clearer if you stated the screen can be divided into 3 parts, instead of calling them widgets... could not figure out what you were talking about...

I upgraded to purple last year, checking now to see if there is a new release, there was not one in March.

Greg
 
I have not updated to the latest version. Anyone able to provide a picture of what the new homescreen looks like? I like the 3 widgets as well. I use the Media, HVAC and Energy Usage widgets in that order.
 
Greg Elmassian said:
It would be a bit clearer if you stated the screen can be divided into 3 parts, instead of calling them widgets... could not figure out what you were talking about...

I upgraded to purple last year, checking now to see if there is a new release, there was not one in March.

Greg
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Kia called them widgets, so I call them widgets. However you know what I mean the 3 separate windows you had on the home screen. April 2021 is the latest update and it is still the same purple mashup that was release last Nov 2020. To see my battery information such as percentage and GOM range is to move from the current home screen to map or radio or media, etc. and left swipe the right edge to open a widget screen that you then can down/up scroll to get other info such as Battery status. Very annoying, when I used to have it on my home screen when the car starts up.20210602_223344.webp
This is the new homescreen. There are active screen areas that you can tap and jump to those apps. Map is in the right hand side of screen. Temp will load weather, media/radio will load Media or Radio and your profile name will load the profile screen.
20210602_223410.webp
This is the new radio interface (retro) with a side widget slide out to show my battery status.
 
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I'm not a fan of the new interface either - I wrote a letter too. I'm glad you wrote a letter to express your opinion. I'd love to see Kia respond favo rably to the feedback and give us our 3 panels back.
 
Those screens were new November last year for the Premium with the big screen, I think you can get that with this May release on the smaller screen.

I do not like the color, nor the useless home screen and the nixie tubes don't really match any of the rest of the user interface. Perhaps the design team was high?

Greg
 
scoutboy said:
Kia called them widgets, so I call them widgets. However you know what I mean the 3 separate windows you had on the home screen. April 2021 is the latest update and it is still the same purple mashup that was release last Nov 2020. To see my battery information such as percentage and GOM range is to move from the current home screen to map or radio or media, etc. and left swipe the right edge to open a widget screen that you then can down/up scroll to get other info such as Battery status. Very annoying, when I used to have it on my home screen when the car starts up.View attachment 12182
This is the new homescreen. There are active screen areas that you can tap and jump to those apps. Map is in the right hand side of screen. Temp will load weather, media/radio will load Media or Radio and your profile name will load the profile screen.
View attachment 12183
This is the new radio interface (retro) with a side widget slide out to show my battery status.
Click to expand...

Ugggg... That's just terrible. Yeah, gonna pass on that until they get their head out of their ***.
 
I have a 2019 and am just now preparing to update the maps for the first time. Right now my default screen looks like this:
83fd5c29-d89a-4fce-bc19-717e98ed22f3




It does not matter much to me with every other screen just physical button tap away, but, before I take the plunge, I am curious what the update will look like on my 8" screen. Can anyone share a pic?
 

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So, I get to ask some dumb questions, so you have a 2019, and I believe there were 2 systems, the smaller screen and the larger screen... the smaller screen did not have navigation I believe. Can you confirm and which do you have?

The online system where you can download the firmware seems to be only for the system with the NAV, I have heard that the non-nav systems don't have an update.

Greg
 
I have the larger screen. I successfully installed the update. It really does not look all that different except some icons turned purple and some new features showed up in some of the sub menus. I will share an image of the screen later. Today if I remember, or maybe this weekend. Work is a cluster right now.
 
There are release notes to be found, and some feature enhancements and some "bug fixes", but I would suspect nothing hugely different.

I like the multiple bluetooth profiles/priorities.

I like the additional volume control where the navigation interacts with the music.

Greg
 
my 2019 update looks different than the startup screen screenshot I have seen for the upgrade in the 2020 models.

The coolest new feature for me is a list of nature sounds I can play in my car. Amazing how those destress me at the end of the work day compared to talking on the phone or listening to news.
 
David T in Silicon Valley said:
my 2019 update looks different than the startup screen screenshot I have seen for the upgrade in the 2020 models.

The coolest new feature for me is a list of nature sounds I can play in my car. Amazing how those destress me at the end of the work day compared to talking on the phone or listening to news.
Click to expand...
I dunno, listened to some 'Big Catholic Guilt' on the way home and that destressed me...............
 
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