4 the explanation why I choose CarPlay over Androi...

To start with, let’s make one thing clear — I’ve nothing in opposition to Android or Android Auto. Whereas my day by day system 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 need to see the total scope of what trendy smartphone tech presents, particularly relating to integrating with EVs.

If you happen to pressured me to choose an in-car platform, although, I might most likely go together with CarPlay. There are a number of the explanation 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 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 might fluctuate

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 state of affairs is a part of the value Android customers pay for having extra app, system, and interface decisions.

Usually, I might facet with product freedom, however reliability is totally important whenever you’re driving. At finest, nobody desires to should fiddle with their telephone earlier than beginning their work commute. In excessive situations, a bug might get somebody misplaced, or trigger a distraction on the worst potential 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 international locations, anyway

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Merely put, it is extra probably that any automobile 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 telephone makers, iPhones are extra in style within the US and Canada, in addition to Germany, Japan, and the UK. It simply is sensible for native automakers to focus their improvement Apple’s method, and even Korean automakers cannot fake that almost all Individuals have a Samsung telephone. Compounding every little thing, Apple acquired a head begin, since CarPlay launched in late 2014 — a number of months forward of Android Auto. You can probably purchase a decade-old junker that is CarPlay-ready.

Android Auto is more and more commonplace and infrequently out there side-by-side with CarPlay, so this is not essentially an enormous benefit anymore. However for automobile purchasing or journey, it is most likely 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 lots of different iPhone house owners) would adore it 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 method my dwelling, 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 each time I am inside vary.

We might see Google leapfrog Apple each time it will get round to integrating Gemini into Android Auto — think about having 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 listing of apps to kind by — 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 may be whereas sitting at a charging station, or ready to choose up my son from faculty, I might reasonably nobody in my automobile (myself included) be tempted to look at Smiling Associates 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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