Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: An Understanding In-depth

How Does it Work?

CarPlay and Android Auto typically take what you do on your smartphones right into the car you are driving. Everything you can do on your smartphone can be possible in your car as you enjoy seamless driving. They facilitate actions like playing music, changing playlists, making calls, receiving calls, receiving texts along using navigation apps like Apple Maps and/or Google Maps on the in-built display of your car.

Controlling Devices

Controlling Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is as simple as giving voice commands along with using the physical buttons and switches on the infotainment of your car. This way, you can control your device(s) by focusing on your driving without distractions.

Benefits of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Maps on the go!

Using Apple or Google Maps helps you navigate easily. Today, with the advancements in technology, these navigation apps have become part of our daily lives. We get voice-guided navigation, up-to-date maps, live traffic updates, and more with these apps. We can also search along our route for petrol bunks, coffee shops, restaurants and more! We also get updated on diversions and speed limits of certain routes too!

Phone simply handsfree!

Yes, it is not advisable to use our phones while driving. It is a major distraction to drivers and can cause collisions. However, with technology allowing us to go hands-free, we can now make calls, receive calls, receive messages, and do a lot more with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Third-party app Integration

We can now connect applications on our phones to our cars! With the latest updates, we can now use third-party applications on the infotainment system of our car. Connecting to music applications has become super easy now without having to check our phones again and again.

Voice Assistant Make It All So Easy!

When our phones are connected to the car, we can use our default voice assistants as well. For instance, Google Assistant for Android Auto and Siri for Apply Car Play can be used to give commands while driving the car. We can perform various functions in the car verbally without being physically distracted by our phones.

Available in Recently Launched Cars

Apple Car Play and Android Auto are available in factory-fitted ICE systems of many automakers including brands such as Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia, Tata Motors, and Mahindra to name a few. This feature is available in specific models and also depends on the variant we buy and the ICE system it comes with. Some brands may not offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support in their lower variants.

We can always alter our cars to become smart cars with fitments and some brands aiding us in doing so. We can find accessories online or in any audio accessories store. Something we need to understand is that installation of aftermarket accessories could involve opening up different panels and parts inside the car which could void the warranty of the vehicle. It is always worth looking more closely at the factory-fitted options that support these platforms instead.

Conclusion

We live in a time where everyone is glued to their phones. It is like a lifeline in itself. If we are inside a car, we sure have noticed how even cars are integrated to be smart cars these days. It is because we live in an age that is well-connected in all ways. Most new cars on the market offer a smartphone integration for both Apple and/or Android phones. With these latest features, drivers can simply plug in their phones and stay connected while driving. As cars become further tech-focused, we can expect to see a lot more integration of these two systems in the future.