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Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Android Auto and CarPlay have long been vying for the same user base, but the main difference lies primarily in the platform drivers were using outside of the car.
While Android Auto was the choice of Android users, CarPlay was the go-to option for those devoted to the Apple ecosystem.
However, as Android Auto and CarPlay have grown in popularity, they have also become sales promoters for the two platforms. It’s no secret that some bought his iPhone specifically for CarPlay, while others gave up his Apple smartphone for the freedom that comes with switching to Android Auto.
The out-of-the-box experience is similar for Android Auto and CarPlay. These are powered by a mobile phone connected to the vehicle’s infotainment screen. The supported app categories are similar, allowing users to use the integrated digital assistant to run navigation software and music apps, make phone calls, send and receive messages, and more.
Android Auto is now in charge, making CarPlay feel old and outdated.
Photo: Florin Profile/autoevolution
I’ve been in the CarPlay world for a long time, connecting my phone to my vehicle every time I get behind the wheel. I use his CarPlay wirelessly, so my iPhone automatically connects to the car and launches Apple’s in-car experience without any input on my part.
CarPlay has been my driving companion for the last few years, but let me tell you something. It doesn’t feel like CarPlay has evolved at all in recent years. Consistency is usually a good thing because it contributes to a more polished experience, but everything on Apple’s platform is starting to feel outdated.
Apple continues to update CarPlay through iOS updates. That is, to introduce something new to the car, you always have to wait for the company to develop a new version of his iPhone operating system. But the Cupertino-based tech giant has paid little attention to his CarPlay in recent major iOS updates, perhaps because his auto-related ambitions revolve around his Apple Car. .
Photo: Florin Profile/autoevolution
With vehicle development already abandoned, Apple is left with an outdated CarPlay that needs to be upgraded overnight. That won’t be possible, and I hope Apple proves me wrong at WWDC next month, but Android Auto is starting to look more and more like the CarPlay rival the iPhone maker never wanted. .
Android Auto is evolving at an incredible pace, and I/O has some long-awaited announcements that will make Google’s in-car experience even more appealing to Apple users. As I mentioned earlier, Android Auto and CarPlay are now becoming more of a reason to choose one over the other. So we wouldn’t be surprised if some Apple users get their hands on his Google-powered Android phone because of the upgraded experience behind the wheel.
Android Auto’s biggest appeal is what users love and need most: apps. Google is discovering how to bring more apps to Android Auto and Android Automotive, a project published in the Google Play Store that will allow apps developed for big screens to be automatically migrated to the two platforms. announced.
Photo: Florin Profile/autoevolution
The search giant plans to start reviewing apps built for big screens on the Play Store to determine if they can live up to the driving experience. Android Auto and Android Automotive automatically enable these features when the car is parked or when using voice commands or other driving-optimized features if the driver can use them. Become.
Considering the number of apps in the Google Play Store, this is a major overhaul of Android Auto’s app ecosystem. The collection of CarPlay apps is also growing, and you can imagine how many apps will make it to Android Auto once Google launches this project.
The search giant also announced new app categories for Android Auto, including video apps, games, and browsers. Google and Apple have been ignoring requests for apps like YouTube for years, but the search company proved it was getting feedback. In pure Apple style, the iPhone maker is remaining tight-lipped about its plans.
Photo: Florin Profir/autoevolution
With the rise of apps, games, and a browser on Android Auto, Google is slowly but surely achieving what it set out to do all along: Android Auto is becoming more and more of an extension of Android, locking you into the ecosystem once you get behind the wheel.
We’re spending more time than ever in our cars, and everyone seems to understand that, including automakers who are willing to spend millions of dollars on software development. . Everyone understands this. Everyone but Apple, because the iPhone maker’s stubbornness and frustrating obsession with closed gardens means he’s not giving CarPlay a chance in the fight against Android Auto.
Apple needs to move quickly, not just on CarPlay, but on all aspects of its automotive strategy. While Android Automotive adoption is on the rise, CarPlay 2.0 has been a laggard, and Apple has chosen to remain silent on this as well. WWDC could be a turning point where Apple could make a big announcement about the automotive experience, or it could be the moment when it becomes clear to everyone that Android Auto has won the battle.
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