Android Auto and CarPlay Users Still Love AM/FM Radio

When I'm in the mood for some tunes, I turn to YouTube Music. I previously used Spotify but moved to YouTube Music because Google has an enormous collection of songs and offers other benefits, such as ad-free access to YouTube.

New research conducted by Edison Research indicates I'm a rare breed. No less than 46 percent of Android Auto and CarPlay users still listen to AM/FM radio while driving, with only 18 percent of the respondents claiming they switched to streaming. 19 percent said they're big SiriusXM fans, while 7 percent stick with podcasts.

The answers undoubtedly depend on the quality of the content available on the radio. My local radio stations are awful and spam me with commercials, so I'd rather listen to my favorite songs rather than hear the same drugstore ad over and over again.

However, the study reveals that AM/FM radio remains a popular choice with or without Android Auto and CarPlay. 67 percent of the drivers whose cars don't come with mobile phone projection claim they listen to the radio while driving, with just 9 percent sticking with streaming (via Bluetooth). 12 percent of the respondents use SiriusXM, and only 4 percent turn to their mobile devices to listen to a podcast. 8 percent of the respondents use other ways to listen to music, such as CDs and MP3s.

Android Auto and CarPlay have eaten up AM/FM radio's share, but despite the massive adoption of phone mirroring software, Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and other alternative products have a hard time dominating the market.

Apple claims nearly 80 percent of the new-car buyers in the United States wouldn't even consider a vehicle missing CarPlay. But of these CarPlay-addicted people, close to half still very much prefer AM/FM radio.

The results are concerning for music streaming providers. Spotify, Google, Apple, and others have tried to win the time spent behind the wheel with several new features, but their offering still can't convince everybody to make the jump. The rising price of subscriptions is probably a major roadblock for people considering a music streaming service, especially in the United States, where the monthly fee has increased this year for all services.

A Spotify Premium Individual subscription in the United States, including one premium account, is available for $10.99 monthly. The AM/FM radio comes without any associated cost and comes with other benefits, such as news, localized information, and content that isn't otherwise available on streaming services.