3 ms·

I don't get "Android Auto" and "Android Automotive" They aren't open source, and when they don't work, your car is left with a weird system that can't be substi

I don't get "Android Auto" and "Android Automotive" They aren't open source, and when they don't work, your car is left with a weird system that can't be substituted. They make it less likely that I'll want to buy a car with them. What's so good about it versus just using bluetooth and a phone mount? Could be crazy, but figure buggy software should be something I can swap out, not integrated into a car many times more expensive than it.

glimshe 3y ago
Android Auto is able to show your current route/map to the car's screen. Android can do that reasonably successfully, so it's worth the price of admission for this reason alone. This said, there are a few usability annoyances and other failures elsewhere in the overall experience. But this particular feature works pretty well.
- 2OEH8eoCRo0 3y ago
  I liked using Android Auto on the phone w/ a Bluetooth connection to my car until they killed it. It was perfect and I was furious when they removed that feature.
- bitsandboots 3y ago
  I don't understand the value of this. Is it just "big screen=better"? Because, my phone's screen is already bigger than the standalone GPSs of the past, and has voice, so I've never thought that I needed a bigger screen for navigation. In fact I want less: A few new cars have very slick HUDs on the windshield which are very elegant in their simplicity. A recent BMW rental had this, all without any smartphone integration, and I thought that was really cool! Now, though, that feature has probably been replaced with an android equivalent - A lot of companies are going "Android Automotive", and it sounds like a downgrade.
  - wilsonnb3 3y ago
    > I don't understand the value of this. Is it just "big screen=better"? Yep. 8 inch touchscreen in my car is much easier to read and interact with, plus it is already there in a nice location so I don't have to put a phone mount somewhere, run the cables to it, etc.
  - glimshe 3y ago
    Yes, it's a LOT better. Charging the phone connected to it is automatic and the screen is positioned in a safe location and much more visible to not only the driver, but other people who can help with navigation. It's a game changer, I'll never have a car without a screen again. My Mazda has both Android Auto and its own decent mapping solution, but Android/iPhone is just better than what ships with the car. The phone also has more information on speed traps, detours etc.

glimshe 3y ago

Android Auto is able to show your current route/map to the car's screen. Android can do that reasonably successfully, so it's worth the price of admission for this reason alone. This said, there are a few usability annoyances and other failures elsewhere in the overall experience. But this particular feature works pretty well.

2OEH8eoCRo0 3y ago
I liked using Android Auto on the phone w/ a Bluetooth connection to my car until they killed it. It was perfect and I was furious when they removed that feature.
bitsandboots 3y ago
I don't understand the value of this. Is it just "big screen=better"? Because, my phone's screen is already bigger than the standalone GPSs of the past, and has voice, so I've never thought that I needed a bigger screen for navigation. In fact I want less: A few new cars have very slick HUDs on the windshield which are very elegant in their simplicity. A recent BMW rental had this, all without any smartphone integration, and I thought that was really cool! Now, though, that feature has probably been replaced with an android equivalent - A lot of companies are going "Android Automotive", and it sounds like a downgrade.
- wilsonnb3 3y ago
  > I don't understand the value of this. Is it just "big screen=better"? Yep. 8 inch touchscreen in my car is much easier to read and interact with, plus it is already there in a nice location so I don't have to put a phone mount somewhere, run the cables to it, etc.
- glimshe 3y ago
  Yes, it's a LOT better. Charging the phone connected to it is automatic and the screen is positioned in a safe location and much more visible to not only the driver, but other people who can help with navigation. It's a game changer, I'll never have a car without a screen again. My Mazda has both Android Auto and its own decent mapping solution, but Android/iPhone is just better than what ships with the car. The phone also has more information on speed traps, detours etc.