I have my dilemma with radar applications: they seem effective to me in the sense that they fulfill their function, but their interface seems to me much less polished (in general) than browsers. If we also take into account that most of them are paid and that I am an occasional driver, the result is that on Android Auto, I always end up using Google Maps or Waze.
I admit that I prefer Waze to Google Maps, but I’m also clear that the official app crashes less (this won’t be the first nor the last time Waze freezes or closes) than Waze. And yes, both applications have at least fixed radars… as with mobile phones, you generally have to resort to the community and its alert work. The fact is that with Google Maps we can always miss a speed camera until I discovered this tip for Android Auto
Google Maps on Android Auto is better with a radar app behind it
I was able to thoroughly test a few radar applications and among the free applications, the one I like the most is “Fixed and mobile radars”. Works with Android Auto and warns of fixed and mobile speed cameras, traffic lights and section. You can ask a little more at this price even if it contains ads (Otherwise, you still have to go to the checkout and pay 3.99 dollars to say goodbye). In fact, it’s clear to me that it far outperforms Waze and Google Maps in this regard. Of course, as I already warned in the intro, the design can be improved.
Now it’s worth remembering something: Android Auto allows have multiple compatible apps open at the same timebut with small print. Let me explain: on the same screen we can see a navigation application and a smaller one, a messaging application and another audiovisual application, in a few words, for example Google Maps, WhatsApp and Spotify. But no, you cannot display two browsers on the screen at the same time.
It is therefore not possible to see Google Maps (or Waze) and Fixed and Mobile Speed Cameras… but it is possible to open them. The trick is to have one in the foreground always visible to orient yourself from the origin to the destination and another operating from behind. In other words, Google Maps to guide me and “Fixed and mobile speed cameras” running in the background but well configured.
It’s not really a mystery: we download “Fixed and mobile speed cameras”, available for free for Android on the Google Play Store and once opened, we allow notifications (it has visual and audible warnings, we will use the latter). Then we enter the destination and select the route. And we left it there, open and functional.
All that remains is to open Google Maps and write the destination by choosing the route. So, I guide myself with Google Maps and when a speed camera appears, it may or may not appear on Google Maps, but I am sure to receive a notification regarding “Fixed and mobile speed cameras” Let me make sure I’m going at the right speed. If you want, there is always the option to tap the notification to bring the radar app to the forefront on Google Maps, but normally the sound warning is enough.
Cover | Eva Rodriguez de Luis
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