4 the reason why I want CarPlay over Android Auto

To start with, let’s make one thing clear — I’ve nothing towards Android or Android Auto. Whereas my day by day machine is an iPhone 16 Pro, I’ve owned a number of Android telephones over time, and I might truly like extra excuses to make use of Android when driving. I wish to see the complete scope of what trendy smartphone tech presents, particularly in terms of integrating with EVs.

When you pressured me to choose an in-car platform, although, I might in all probability go along with CarPlay. There are just a few the reason why, a few of which boil right down to pure desire. I am even anticipating to have my opinion swayed sooner or later, whether or not by extra time with Android Auto, or future upgrades. Possibly Apple will truly launch its next-generation CarPlay sooner or later, however I am not holding my breath on that one.

1 CarPlay appears to be extra secure

Your mileage could range

Whereas Android Auto is hardly a catastrophic mess, CarPlay is extra dependable total. It has an unfair benefit, in fact — there are far fewer iPhones in the marketplace than there are Android gadgets, and all of them come from a single firm, so it is inherently simpler to troubleshoot. A posh technical state of affairs is a part of the value Android customers pay for having extra app, machine, and interface decisions.

Usually, I might facet with product freedom, however reliability is completely important while you’re driving. At finest, nobody needs to must fiddle with their cellphone earlier than beginning their work commute. In excessive situations, a bug may get somebody misplaced, or trigger a distraction on the worst doable time. Contemplate an expertise from Apple’s personal historical past — the unique model of Apple Maps led some drivers into the Australian desert.

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2 Wider car compatibility

In lots of nations, anyway

Kia

Merely put, it is extra possible that any car you purchase, lease, or lease will assist CarPlay, whether or not previous or new. It should not be a shock — whereas Android is an open-source platform utilized by quite a lot of cellphone makers, iPhones are extra standard within the US and Canada, in addition to Germany, Japan, and the UK. It simply is smart for native automakers to focus their growth Apple’s approach, and even Korean automakers cannot fake that the majority Individuals have a Samsung cellphone. Compounding every thing, Apple bought a head begin, since CarPlay launched in late 2014 — a number of months forward of Android Auto. You could possibly doubtlessly purchase a decade-old junker that is CarPlay-ready.

Android Auto is more and more commonplace and sometimes obtainable side-by-side with CarPlay, so this is not essentially an enormous benefit anymore. However for automobile purchasing or journey, it is in all probability safer to have an iPhone in your pocket.

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3 Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem

The cliché is true

Apple

To Google’s credit score, Android Auto is more and more well-designed and well-integrated with the remainder of Android. I am a bit jealous, in reality — I (and lots of different iPhone house owners) would find it irresistible if CarPlay was tied into Google Maps and Google Calendar as a substitute of Apple’s personal apps. However the CarPlay expertise tends to be smoother, and can even pop up iOS Calendar occasions and HomeKit controls routinely in its multi-app dashboard. As I method my house, I can set off my storage door opener with out having to arrange a routine or speak to a voice assistant, since a button seems onscreen every time I am inside vary.

We may see Google leapfrog Apple every time it will get round to integrating Gemini into Android Auto — think about with the ability to inform your automobile “placed on my favourite music whereas I drive to work, however I must go to a charging station first.” It appears unlikely that Apple Intelligence will deal with something like that till Siri will get a rumored overhaul in 2026.

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4 A narrower, extra polished expertise

Much less is extra

It sounds counterintuitive, however I truly get pleasure from the truth that fewer apps run in CarPlay than Android Auto. After I’m about to drive someplace, I do not need a lengthy checklist of apps to kind by means of — I need a handful of optimized ones. I care even much less about Android making it simpler to pressure video apps like Netflix to work. As good as that is perhaps whereas sitting at a charging station, or ready to choose up my son from faculty, I might slightly nobody in my automobile (myself included) be tempted to observe Smiling Buddies or Downton Abbey whereas they’re flying down the freeway.

CarPlay additionally feels extra visually slick than Android Auto. It is a minor and extremely subjective level, however with CarPlay, I do not really feel like I am lacking out on the polish firms like Rivian and Tesla pour into their all-in-one working methods. Android Auto is extra utilitarian — one thing I respect, however does really feel a bit underwhelming at instances.

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