If there are two popular car infotainment systems, they are Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Although both systems have the same goals, there are important differences between them. Since its launch, they have evolved, adding functions and debugging its interface to date. Although each has its strengths and weaknesses, after using both alternatives, I’m clear that right now Android Auto outperforms CarPlay in some things.
A more agile, fast and intuitive navigation
Leaving aside which native app is better (because you can also install others), when using navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze in Android Auto you can navigate and explore the route as you would with your phone. However, in CarPlay it’s not so intuitive: to move around the map you have to touch the arrows that appear on the screen, which is also slower and potentially dangerous when driving.
Android Auto also wins the game when it comes to choosing alternate routes: Simply tap on the path shown in gray to select it and edit the route. With Apple CarPlay you will have to go back to the route options to choose another one.
More third-party apps
In Apple CarPlay and Android Auto you can install third-party apps for navigation, music… but there are not the same number of apps available. SO, Android Auto is compatible with more apps, especially messaging. It is true that the main mission of these systems is not to send messages, but it is useful to know that your favorite applications are available.
With the Android Auto 2022 update, support and experience has improved thank you to Library 1.3, with improved browsing features, media recommendations, and progress bars for podcasts and audiobooks. In addition, Google plans to implement the casting of the phone on the car screen when parked, for content viewing applications like YouTube (which today can also be done with tricks ).
A voice assistant that helps more
Using the voice assistant while driving is one of the best decisions you can make from a safety perspective and of course Android Auto and CarPlay support Google Assistant as well as Siri. For starters, Google Assistant offers more compatibility with third-party appswhich translates into many possible phrases to help you.
With the latest Android Auto updates, you can send messages, quickly call your favorite contacts with just a tap, and suggest replies. Although with the CarPlay interface you can send or modify a message with Siri, it does not display it on the screen. Android Auto previews the message in the app you’re using and transcribes what it says. Applied to messages, it is particularly useful when we send a message, since it allows us to correct errors (although it only appears fleetingly, to distract our attention as little as possible).
In my personal experience, Google Assistant also understands better than Siri.
Better notification management
The normal thing is that while driving you receive calls and notifications and, although both systems are designed to handle them safely, CarPlay is more intrusive with notifications.
The key is where these banners are displayed: while in CarPlay they appear at the bottom of the screen… an area where the navigation pointer normally is, in Android Auto full screen these notifications appear in the upper area.
Besides Android Auto lets you dismiss or mute a notificationa practical practice to not receive notifications of new messages sent in a WhatsApp group, for example, but others.
When “reading” a notification, Android Auto does this quietly with a small on-screen banner. Instead, Apple CarPlay takes up the entire screen, which is intrusive. This is particularly uncomfortable when receiving a call: while Android Auto displays the songs, CarPlay remains on the call screen.
In Xataka Android | Android Auto vs Android Automotive: How are they similar, how are they different and which is better?
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