The creation of smartphones and cars have long been jar , as Google and Apple have prioritized build new experience with CarPlay and Android Auto , severally , even as carmakers have continued to develop their own infotainment experiences .
Despite the succeeder of Apple CarPlay andAndroid Auto , both platforms have key issues , namely that they run on top of the machine ’s operating organisation , which means they miss the close integrating that yields the estimable experience and rely on your telephone set for certain functions . To treat these issues , both companies have also been developing operating organization that can power cable car .
Google ’s answer is Android Automotive , which enable carmakers to expand on Android Auto by offering central experiences like a shot within the car ’s operating system . I of late hire a Chevy Equinox powered by Android Automotive , and after driving over 500 mi with it , I ’ve fallen in love with Google ’s motorcar OS . Here ’s why every car should use it .
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Decoupling from your phone is the ideal solution
I make love CarPlay and Android Auto , but I ’ve always dislike that they at long last call for your phone to be connect to the railway car . Many carmakers have n’t in full adopted wireless Android Auto yet , which means you still need a cable system in the car . Unfortunately , using the faulty cable can cause your telephone to disconnect while driving , and I ’ve experienced this issue with many vehicles .
Android Automotive plow all these military issue by decoupling the smart service provided by your phone and integrating them immediately into the car . This has several advantages that transmute how you motor your fomite .
If you ’ve tried to use a car ’s aboriginal map result , you ’ll know how inferior it is to Google Maps or Apple Maps , but Android Automotive come in with Google Maps as default , staring with live dealings alerts and your single-valued function history . likewise , there ’s aboriginal sustenance for Waze , if that ’s your best-loved mapping answer .
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Imagine what would fall out if your phone battery die because your cable’s length stopped working , while you ’re navigate to an unfamiliar destination . Without Android Automotive , you are at the mercy of the car ’s native function and how up - to - escort those maps are , but with Google ’s car O , you could go on to your destination as if nothing happened . It ’s a big modification , and it abbreviate one primal clash factor by ensuring that you always know where you ’re perish .
Google Assistant integration
Another key egress with Android Auto has always been that phonation control features are trammel to the features of your telephone . There ’s nothing worse or more dangerous than taking your eyes off the road , even briefly , to adjust a automobile ’s thermostat or fiddle with the stereo , specially if it ’s a rental and you are n’t familiar with that car ’s feature .
Android Automotive solve this with Google Assistant integration . Google is widely require to bringGemini AIto your car presently , with an update anticipated atGoogle I / O 2025later this calendar month . However , Google Assistant works exceptionally well in my rental car and is an idealistic way to assure a dependable cause .
From a clitoris on my steering wheel , I can control all the features on my phone like with Android Auto , but I can also control the car itself . This includes setting the thermostat ’s temperature , turning on seat heater , adjusting the wipers , and many more feature of speech . I ’ve set alarms , asked it to tell me antic , and even take notes that are save in Google Keep .
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Google Assistant is the perfect practical copilot for foresightful drives , as long as it ’s connect to the cyberspace . I had to pair my rental automobile with my phone ’s hot spot , but it ’s likely that if you corrupt a car powered by Android Automotive , your car maker will also offer a tie plan so you do n’t need to do this . mapping and some voice commands still work entirely offline , but for other lineament , you ’ll need an internet connection .
Support for third-party apps, Chrome, and the Play Store
Another compelling feature film is the Google Play Store . Yes , this is n’t newfangled , and there ’s minuscule difference between the apps available in Android Auto and Android Automotive . However , by plant them into the gondola ’s operating system , I can also access these optimized apps even when using an iPhone , without involve to instal them on my earpiece .
Integrating apps like Google Maps into the car ’s operating system also think that it can utilize worthful vehicle datum , such as range or the tank ’s filling level , and incorporate charge or flatulency stops into your journey . Tesla does an surpassing line of work of work up this into its mathematical function system , but this was sorely miss in Android Auto ; thankfully , Android Automotive brings the same experience to any car power by Google ’s car operating system .
Then there ’s backing for YouTube , and I love it . park up waiting to nibble someone up , taking a happy chance on a long campaign , or wait for your railroad car to end charging ? As long as the vehicle is in common mode , you’re able to keep an eye on movies , appearance , and videos on the railroad car display , a far more enjoyable experience than using your telephone ’s much smaller silver screen .
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
I love it, but Android Automotive isn’t perfect
I have soundly relish driving with Android Automotive , but like most things , the shimmy to a voice - first approach has its own pitfalls .
The chief government issue is that it overly complicates changing simpler background in the car , although this could be a result of how Chevy has implemented Android Automotive into the Equinox . For good example , rather than adjusting a stubble on the steerage wheel , changing the options for your lights command navigating into the vehicle ’s mount menu on the bombastic display .
As we have all experienced , voice assistants can be quite inconsistent in recognizing commands and responding to them , and Google Assistant in Android Automotive is no exception . Most commands work fine , but I ’ve find myself take to repeat myself occasionally , which can be quite frustrative , especially when trying to interchange a simple scene .
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Lastly , a significant amount of datum is being gathered by both Google and your motorcar maker . One of the benefits of Android Auto is that your Maps history is bind to your phone , not your elevator car , which means that if someone steal your car ( or you give it to a valet de chambre ) , they wo n’t have admission to your home plate address or other important or often used location . With Android Automotive , this information is stored on your railway car and can be viewed by anyone with access to your vehicle .
Despite its imperfections , my brief experience with Android Automotive has convinced me that Google ’s operating system should power my next car . The benefits far outweigh the negatives , at least for me , and it ’s become a must - have for any future vehicle leverage .
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
