Infotainment systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have become very common amongst various drivers.
If you don’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you might be missing out on a lot of exciting features. These infotainment systems are not only limited to a specific car model but can be used on various cars.
Since most of them require a screen in your car, you don’t need to operate your phone while driving. You could focus your attention while driving and use Apple CarPlay or Android wireless CarPlay much more easily.
We’ll advise that you get one of these infotainment systems for your car. If you are still confused about what they are and which one is best for you, then this article is here to help.
What is CarPlay and What are the Key Features of Apple CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay is an infotainment system owned by Apple. It was released in 2014 and has served many users since then. With so much advancement over the years, it has stood out from the rest because of its unique and reliable features. The system requires iOS version 7.1 or later and works with iPhone 5 or newer. We are aware that Apple hardly goes wrong with any of its products, and this is a good example of such.
What is Android Auto and What are the Key Features of Google’s Version of CarPlay?
Android wireless CarPlay is an infotainment system owned by Google, which is the grand master of Android devices. Google launched this system right after Apple released theirs. Google launched the Android CarPlay in 2015. You get to see your Android display on the screen in your car by connecting your smartphone to the system using Bluetooth or USB. The system works with any smartphone with an Android version of 6.0 or newer. The main purposes of both infotainment systems are that you get to use them for navigation when driving, to receive calls and messages, and also to listen to your favorite music or podcasts.
iOS vs Android – Which CarPlay is Right for You?
We won’t decide which of these infotainment systems would work best for you, but we will list out some features that many users have experienced so far.
Navigation
Android wireless CarPlay uses Google Maps to assist users when driving. Many users have appreciated this feature because it was smooth and the directions were well laid out. On the other hand, Apple CarPlay doesn’t do so well with Google Maps. Although it works perfectly fine with Apple Maps, it still has some glitches regarding Google Maps. Many users have complained that the direction isn’t smooth and the map covers the entire screen, which makes it even more unbearable. Responsiveness is also a bit poor when using this map.
User Interface
Just like an iPhone screen, CarPlay has a similar display when used. You can see how organized, large, and clear the icons are, which makes them easier to click. Hence, improving the user interface. It’s quite the same for Android CarPlay, only that the user interface is lacking. Many users have complained that there are glitches and lags when they are scrolling through the display.
Notification
Your notifications will show up at the bottom when using CarPlay. With its voice assistant, Siri, you can get your messages or other information read out to you, and you can decide if you wish to reply to them or not. The same goes for Android wireless CarPlay, except that the notification appears at the top of the screen. Google Assistant can also read your message aloud to you, and you can decide to keep or dismiss that message.
Calls
When you are driving and you get an incoming call, your CarPlay iPhone displays the call and covers the whole screen. This means that if you were using the screen for something entirely different, you might have to relaunch that program again. However, with Android CarPlay, there’s no need to because the call notification only shows up at the top of the screen and doesn’t interrupt whatever program that is running.
From the above, you can make a decision on what infotainment system you would like to use for your car.
Conclusion
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been the most used infotainment systems and are still used globally. They have made driving less tedious and more enjoyable.
