4 the reason why I choose CarPlay over Android Aut...

To start with, let’s make one thing clear — I’ve nothing towards Android or Android Auto. Whereas my each day gadget 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 wish to see the total scope of what fashionable smartphone tech presents, particularly with regards to integrating with EVs.

When you compelled me to choose an in-car platform, although, I might in all probability go together 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. Perhaps Apple will really 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 might fluctuate

Whereas Android Auto is hardly a catastrophic mess, CarPlay is extra dependable total. 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 state of affairs is a part of the worth Android customers pay for having extra app, gadget, and interface selections.

Usually, I might aspect with product freedom, however reliability is totally important whenever you’re driving. At finest, nobody desires to must 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. Take into account 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 doubtless that any car you purchase, hire, 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 a wide range of telephone 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 faux that the majority People have a Samsung telephone. Compounding every thing, Apple obtained a head begin, since CarPlay launched in late 2014 — a number of months forward of Android Auto. You can 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 procuring 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 little bit jealous, in reality — I (and plenty of different iPhone homeowners) would adore it if CarPlay was tied into Google Maps and Google Calendar as an alternative 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 strategy 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 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 automobile “placed on my favourite music whereas I drive to work, however I have to 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 take pleasure in 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 way of — I need a handful of optimized ones. I care even much less about Android making it simpler to power 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 college, I might quite nobody in my automobile (myself included) be tempted to observe 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 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 little bit underwhelming at occasions.

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