The best multimedia solutions for the car are called Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto, because they allow you to access your smartphone and use many practical apps with the familiar user interface. TECHBOOK explains how it works and what you need for it.
Despite many innovations, the car is still part of the old technology world, which ticks a little more slowly. The smartphone, on the other hand, with its permanent Internet access and short development cycles, is part of the digital revolution. But the smartphone giants Apple and Google have developed a simple and practical solution to connect even old cars to their smartphone systems and thus bring them into the digital age.
Unlike a normal Bluetooth connection between car and smartphone, the new interfaces not only allow you to make calls and listen to music, but also access some of the smartphone apps. In theory, you have your usual smartphone user interface in every car. TECHBOOK explains exactly how this works using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Apple CarPlay
With Apple CarPlay, you have the option of accessing music, navigation, news and e-mails on your iPhone using voice commands or control buttons in the car as well as touch input on the built-in screen. Newer vehicles that have been on the market since 2021 can even be opened and started via the iPhone using Apple CarPlay. There is, according to Apple currently more than 600 car modelsthat support CarPlay, including major brands like Audi, BMW, Ford, Mercedes, and Renault. You can also find a video with a brief overview of our reporters here:
How do I connect to CarPlay?
You need at least an iPhone 5 with one of the latest iOS versions installed. In addition, the vehicle must be compatible with CarPlay and have a display that can display the apps. Now all you need is a USB cable with a Lightning connector to connect to the car. Conveniently, the iPhone is charged at the same time.
Wireless CarPlay is now also available. The iPhone connects to the vehicle via WiFi and Bluetooth. This is comfortable without an annoying cable, but you should always pay attention to the battery. This type of connection only makes sense if you have a newer iPhone. These usually support wireless charging and have longer-lasting and less-used batteries.
How expensive is CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay is free on the iPhone itself. The cars themselves are different. Retrofitting costs around 200 euros for many car manufacturers. If it is already available ex works, some manufacturers charge up to 400 euros extra. Unfortunately, some only offer CarPlay in connection with their own navigation systems, which then becomes really expensive and also unnecessary. Because if you have CarPlay, you can access Apple Maps, among other things.
At BMW, for example, CarPlay use costs 300 euros. After all: After harsh criticism, the fee is only due once. Before this change, customers slipped into a subscription model after three years of use, which cost another 110 euros a year.
What features does CarPlay offer?
Although CarPlay does not grant access to all apps, at least the most important ones that you need while driving are included: music apps such as Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music, message apps such as iMessage and WhatsApp as well as the Apple navigation app map Car manufacturers also offer various apps that run on the system.
The most convenient way is to use voice commands. You can compose messages, have them read to you, enter destinations, play music and conveniently make phone calls. You can also open and even start your car via CarPlay. For example, if a friend borrows the car, you can share the digital car key for a certain period of time.
The operation and the displays are minimalist and clearly structured so as not to distract you when driving. So you also have the usual iPhone look on the car display.
Disadvantages of CarPlay
As is so often the case with Apple, CarPlay is also an exclusive platform that Apple is very cautiously expanding. Not all apps are available for a long time, although Apple has since improved popular applications such as WhatsApp and Google Maps.
Voice assistant Siri has improved significantly, but still not at the level of Google Assistant. In addition, CarPlay only works in conjunction with iPhones. You should also note that the data volume of the mobile phone contract is used for music streaming and navigating. Depending on how you use it, you should have enough volume available.
Google Android Auto
If you have an Android smartphone, you should pay attention to the support of Android Auto when buying a vehicle. Because this is Google’s counterpart to Apple’s CarPlay.
In principle, it works very similar to the interface from Apple. According to Google, there is now over 500 car models, that support the system. After some teething problems due to security standards, premium manufacturers such as BMW and Porsche have also agreed to the integration of Android Auto.
Photo: MercedesPhoto: Mercedes
How do I connect to Android Auto?
For this you need at least a smartphone with the Android operating system 8.0 Oreo. The system cannot be used with Android Go. The connection to the car is also made here via USB cable or from Android 9.0 made via WiFi.
Android Auto offers a major advantage over CarPlay: you can use the system even if the car doesn’t support it. All you need is a suitable smartphone holder and you can use your device as a display replacement with all the functions of Android Auto. But here, too, the battery is quickly drained if there is no possibility to charge it inside.
How expensive is Android Auto?
Most manufacturers also charge a surcharge here and offer Android Auto in parallel with Apple CarPlay. In this respect, there is often a surcharge of a few hundred euros, which can sometimes amount to more than 1000 euros, if the interface is only offered in connection with a high-quality multimedia system. The usual prices are around 300 euros for a new vehicle and 200 euros if Android Auto is retrofitted.
What features does Android Auto offer?
Android Auto also only offers limited access to the apps on the smartphone, which is in the interests of security. Music apps, messenger apps and Google Maps are the main focus. Nevertheless, the selection is slightly larger than Apple’s, since Google is generally more open to third-party solutions.
Another advantage over Apple is the Google Assistant, which works a little more reliably than Apple’s Siri when it comes to voice input. Messages can also be sent or read out by voice input. Both offer the option of a digital car key.
Also interesting: Why you should wrap your car keys in aluminum foil
Disadvantages of Android Auto
Although the Android Auto platform is a bit broader than CarPlay, it still offers a limited range of apps. But that’s not too bad, because ultimately both systems from Apple and Google should increase safety and not distract too much from driving.
Also, the reliability of the system is not as high as with CarPlay. This is due to the confusing smartphone market with countless devices and Android versions. If you use a particularly new and powerful smartphone with the latest Android operating system, you will get the best user experience.
And here, too, it is important to keep an eye on the data volume, because the Internet services use the mobile phone contract of the smartphone.
Conclusion: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Both systems offer similar functions. The sometimes brazen surcharge of the car manufacturer justifies the useful but not absolutely necessary apps only to a limited extent. If you are primarily interested in a navigation device, you can safely do without the services – in this case, a conventional device or smartphone navigation without a direct connection to the car will do. But if you use your cell phone a lot when you’re on the go, you can benefit from the systems, since calls, music apps, etc. can then be controlled via the car.
The providers don’t take much from their functionality, so it primarily depends on which smartphone you use. There is now a wide range of options when it comes to compatibility with car brands, even if Apple CarPlay is slightly ahead. The language assistant works better with Android Auto.
Also interesting: Android vs. iOS – which operating system is better?
CarPlay and Android Auto for retrofitting
There are now various devices on the accessories market that have integrated CarPlay and Android Auto. So you don’t have to buy a new car right away, you can also bring your old vehicle up to date with the latest multimedia and connect it to your smartphone.
There are various systems from Alpine, JVC, Kenwood, Pioneer and Sony that can be optimally installed in the standardized car radio compartment in the center console. There are the sizes 1-DIN (small) and 2-DIN (double format). The price range starts at a few hundred euros and goes well over 1000 euros. You have a free choice and are not tied to the devices of the vehicle manufacturer.