Wireless adapters for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay have become incredibly common, but options that can handle both platforms are pretty rare. Now, AAWireless is adding support for wireless Apple CarPlay alongside wireless Android Auto through a new beta.
Expand Expanding Close
Android Auto and CarPlay continue to be a huge selling point for new cars, but for years now, many Mazda cars have lacked the touchscreen needed to really enjoy those infotainment experiences. With the 2024 Mazda CX-5, a touchscreen is on the way.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s other navigation app, Waze, is an incredibly helpful way to stay informed on your route, but lately, the app has been suffering from lag issues on Android Auto and CarPlay for some.
Expand Expanding Close
Electrify America is upgrading its mobile apps to work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto infotainment systems starting today. The new feature helps electric vehicle drivers easily discover the nearest EA charging station, initiate and complete charging remotely, and view charging plan details.
Expand Expanding Close
The New York International Auto Show is set to start late next week, and making its debut this year is the new 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. The redesigned Crosstrek will feature a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay as a standard feature.
Ford today announced that its first vehicle to offer support for Apple’s iPhone-connected, in-dash CarPlay system will be the 2017 Escape going on sale in May.
Update: While Google has not commented directly on Porsche’s reported rejection of Android Auto, the company made a statement to The Verge in which it denied that it currently collects any of the data mentioned in the original report. It does not go as far as saying that it has not requested access to such data.
“We take privacy very seriously and do not collect the data the Motor Trend article claims such as throttle position, oil temp, and coolant temp,” Google said in a statement to The Verge. “Users opt in to share information with Android Auto that improves their experience, so the system can be hands-free when in drive, and provide more accurate navigation through the car’s GPS.”
Sportscar manufacturer Porsche has approved CarPlay for the 2017 version of its famous 911, but rejected Android Auto because Google demands access to too much data, reports Motor Trend.
As part of the agreement an automaker would have to enter with Google, certain pieces of data must be collected and [sent] back to Mountain View, California. Stuff like vehicle speed, throttle position, coolant and oil temp, engine revs—basically Google wants a complete OBD2 dump whenever someone activates Android Auto …
When Parrot unveiled its new CarPlay-compatible infotainment system the RNB6 at CES, it promised pricing and availability later in the year. The company now appears to have had a change of heart, updating its blog post to say that it now has no plans to offer it as an aftermarket upgrade, and will be selling it direct to manufacturers instead.
RNB6 project was showcased at CES Las Vegas in January 2015 (watch video below). This infotainment system was selected by several automakers who envision to integrate it in their next-generation car models next year and beyond. As of today there is no plan to sell RNB6 in Aftermarket channels as RNB6 embedded technologies require deep integration with car series and manufacturers
Although the unit itself runs on Android, it supports CarPlay as well as Android Auto.
While CarPlay has had a relatively slow start to date, it appears to be gathering momentum as manufacturers introduce support in their 2016 models, which are now starting to arrive in showrooms. Volkswagen said last week that almost all its 2016 models will get CarPlay support, while Honda said that the 2016 Accord would be its first CarPlay-equipped model.
Via iMore
2015 Volkswagon eGolf electric car
Volkswagen has announced that almost every 2016 VW model “in virtually every trim” will get support for CarPlay, with the first models arriving in showrooms this week.
As the people’s car brand, we knew that it was important to democratize these technologies across the Volkswagen line-up, with features like App-Connect ensuring that more consumers can integrate their smart devices in a wide range of trims on virtually every model the company sells […]
App-Connect provides seamless smartphone integration through three interfaces: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink.
“Democratization” only goes so far – the company will offer four different head units of varying sophistication, depending on price level …
Expand
Expanding
Close
We first saw Kenwood’s aftermarket CarPlay units at CES in January, and the company has now announced pricing as the two models start shipping to dealers. The catchily-named DDX9702S and DDX9902S retail at $900 and $950 respectively (but on Amazon for $750), and support Android Auto as well as CarPlay. Only the 9702S was on Kenwood’s website at the time of writing.
The two double-DIN DDX units are designed to be the center of a vehicle’s entertainment and information system. A large, 6.95-inch resistive touch display puts navigation, back-up camera view (camera required, sold separately), and a wealth of audio / video entertainment options at the driver’s fingertips. Each is equipped with Bluetooth technology to enable handsfree phone conversations as well as playback of streaming media from a Bluetooth-enabled phone or media device.
You also get built-in HD radio, HDMI input, DVD playback and support for Sirius satellite radio …
Expand
Expanding
Close
Ford was one of the first car manufacturers to announce its intentions to add support for Apple’s CarPlay to its in-dash systems. Questions concerning how Ford plans to integrate Apple’s solution, however, have remained since the initial announcement. In an interview with Re/code today, Ford CEO Mark Fields clarified some of the details regarding the company’s plans to offer CarPlay (and Android Auto) in its vehicles.
Pioneer was first to bring CarPlay to the market without requiring you to buy a new car, and at CES 2015 today the company announced the second generation of its CarPlay-enabled NEX in-dash receivers. The latest Pioneer NEX displays all support CarPlay and start at $700 with 6.2-inch and 7-inch resistive and capacitive touch displays.
Volkswagen, at CES 2015, has finally announced what it plans to do with both CarPlay and Android Auto. The German auto manufacturer has confirmed that it will begin shipping cars with CarPlay capabilities later this year in its 2016 models. We reported back July of last year that Volkswagen and Apple were in talks to bring CarPlay to VW’s 2016 models.
Apple and Google are back at it again and attempting to bring a safe and friendly mobile experience to your car. Android Auto and CarPlay are the two company’s re-imagining of mobile user interfaces for the car and both are gearing up for a major rollout over the next year.
Each system is designed to work with its respective native mobile platform, but there are differences between the two that may appeal to different people. Today we’re comparing Apple’s CarPlay to Google’s Android Auto using the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. This car comes packed with both systems, so you won’t have to compromise either way, but there are some important differences between the two…
Following up on its announcement that it will support CarPlay in its cars beginning in 2015, Audi has provided more details about the rollout. According to the luxury car-maker, iOS CarPlay support will arrive in models for Europe in 2015, while North American models will see the software in center consoles in early 2016. Audi has also detailed how the functionality with be integrated:
How will Google’s new ‘Android Auto’ CarPlay competitor compare? On top of opening up the SDK, unlike Apple, to messaging and audio apps, it also has a ton of support right of the bat through the Open Automotive Alliance. Following Google’s unveiling of its new Android Auto connected car platform, a long list of both new and old members of the Open Automotive Alliance have confirmed support for the new feature. Many of which are also confirmed partners for CarPlay and at least some plan to launch both platforms simultaneously in upcoming vehicles. A press release lists a number of new OAA members including Bentley, LG, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Maserati, Volvo and many more. The news also confirms that we’ll see aftermarket solutions for Android Auto from companies like Pioneer, Parrot and Alpine, which are also building aftermarket solutions for CarPlay. Here’s a full list of new OAA companies that will support Android Auto:
|
|
|
That list doesn’t include founding and old members like Audi, GM, Google, Honda, Hyundai and others. Volvo and Hyundai have now independently confirmed that they will both support the platform. Interestingly, both companies are also confirmed partners of Apple’s competing CarPlay platform.
When it comes to Volvo, the company announced today that it’s joining the Open Automotive Alliance and plans to bring Android Auto to all its cars using a new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) starting with the all-new XC90. That’s notable considering that’s also the first vehicle Volvo will use to introduce Apple’s CarPlay feature later this year. Up until now there was some question about how a platform from Google might co-exist alongside Apple’s platform, but it appear at least some manufacturers plan to offer both of the competing platforms side by side in new vehicles. We’ll have to see if others decide to go Apple or Android only or offer exclusivity windows for either platform. We’ll also have to see if aftermarket solutions– like these ones from Pioneer— pack in support for both features or limit hardware to Android or CarPlay.
Hyundai, another confirmed Apple partner, will also be bringing Android Auto to its in-dash displays alongside CarPlay. Honda, also a confirmed Apple partner, released a similar announcement on Android Auto saying the feature will appear in select vehicles starting in 2015. It noted “Applicable Honda vehicles will be cross-compatible with CarPlay and Android Auto. The vehicle will automatically detect the smart phone OS.”