4 explanation why I choose CarPlay over Android Auto

To start with, let’s make one thing clear — I’ve nothing towards Android or Android Auto. Whereas my every day machine is an iPhone 16 Pro, I’ve owned a number of Android telephones through the years, and I might really like extra excuses to make use of Android when driving. I need to see the total scope of what fashionable smartphone tech gives, particularly on the subject of integrating with EVs.

Should you pressured me to choose an in-car platform, although, I might in all probability go together with CarPlay. There are a number of explanation why, a few of which boil all the way down to pure choice. I am even anticipating to have my opinion swayed in some unspecified time in the future, whether or not by extra time with Android Auto, or future upgrades. Perhaps Apple will really launch its next-generation CarPlay in some unspecified time in the future, however I am not holding my breath on that one.

1 CarPlay appears to be extra secure

Your mileage might differ

Whereas Android Auto is hardly a catastrophic mess, CarPlay is extra dependable general. It has an unfair benefit, after all — 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 fancy technical scenario is a part of the worth Android customers pay for having extra app, machine, and interface decisions.

Usually, I might aspect with product freedom, however reliability is completely important once you’re driving. At greatest, nobody desires to need to fiddle with their cellphone earlier than beginning their work commute. In excessive eventualities, a bug may get somebody misplaced, or trigger a distraction on the worst attainable 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 international locations, anyway

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Merely put, it is extra possible that any car you purchase, hire, 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 widespread 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 manner, and even Korean automakers cannot fake that almost all People have a Samsung cellphone. Compounding all the pieces, Apple received a head begin, since CarPlay launched in late 2014 — a number of months forward of Android Auto. You would probably 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

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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 just a little jealous, actually — 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 residence, I can set off my storage door opener with out having to arrange a routine or discuss to a voice assistant, since a button seems onscreen at any time when I am inside vary.

We may see Google leapfrog Apple at any time when 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 really get pleasure from the truth that fewer apps run in CarPlay than Android Auto. Once I’m about to drive someplace, I do not need a lengthy checklist of apps to type by — 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 could be whereas sitting at a charging station, or ready to choose up my son from faculty, I might somewhat nobody in my automobile (myself included) be tempted to look at Smiling Mates 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 corporations 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 just a little underwhelming at instances.

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