4 the reason why I want CarPlay over Android Auto

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

For those who compelled me to choose an in-car platform, although, I would in all probability go together with CarPlay. There are a couple of 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 steady

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 available on the market than there are Android units, and all of them come from a single firm, so it is inherently simpler to troubleshoot. A fancy technical scenario is a part of the value Android customers pay for having extra app, machine, and interface decisions.

Usually, I would aspect with product freedom, however reliability is completely important once you’re driving. At greatest, nobody desires to need to fiddle with their telephone earlier than beginning their work commute. In excessive eventualities, a bug may get somebody misplaced, or trigger a distraction on the worst attainable time. Think about 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 automobile compatibility

In lots of nations, anyway

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Merely put, it is extra seemingly that any automobile you purchase, lease, or lease will help 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 telephone makers, iPhones are extra fashionable within the US and Canada, in addition to Germany, Japan, and the UK. It simply is smart for native automakers to focus their improvement Apple’s means, and even Korean automakers cannot faux that almost all Individuals have a Samsung telephone. Compounding every part, Apple received a head begin, since CarPlay launched in late 2014 — a number of months forward of Android Auto. You might probably purchase a decade-old junker that is CarPlay-ready.

Android Auto is more and more commonplace and infrequently accessible side-by-side with CarPlay, so this is not essentially an enormous benefit anymore. However for automotive buying 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

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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 of jealous, actually — I (and plenty 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 robotically in its multi-app dashboard. As I strategy my residence, 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 each time I am inside vary.

We may see Google leapfrog Apple each time it will get round to integrating Gemini into Android Auto — think about with the ability to inform your automotive “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 take pleasure in the truth that fewer apps run in CarPlay than Android Auto. Once I’m about to drive someplace, I do not desire a lengthy listing of apps to type by — I desire 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 college, I would moderately nobody in my automotive (myself included) be tempted to look at Smiling Pals or Downton Abbey whereas they’re flying down the freeway.

CarPlay additionally feels extra visually slick than Android Auto. This can be 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 techniques. Android Auto is extra utilitarian — one thing I respect, however does really feel a bit of underwhelming at occasions.

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