Photo: Tata
Android is becoming a more common name for the driving experience, and the partnership between Ford and Google announced earlier this week certainly paves the way for en-masse adoption of the search giant’s automotive platform.
After Ford itself confirmed that CarPlay wouldn’t just go away from its cars despite the addition of Android Automotive on all models starting with the 2023 lineup, Tata Motors has also enabled Apple’s system on more of its cars.
A software update released recently for the Hexa SUV enables CarPlay connectivity on the BS4 generation, thus providing customers with one more option for their infotainment system. It's worth knowing that Android Auto was already available on the Hexa, so the addition of CarPlay support provides similar connectivity capabilities for those with an iPhone.
CarPlay and Android Automotive, however, are completely different systems. First and foremost, CarPlay requires an iPhone to run on the head unit, whereas Android Automotive comes pre-loaded from the very beginning, thus offering a more native experience out of the box.
Android Automotive is also fitted with Google’s essential driving app package, including Google Maps and Google Assistant, while CarPlay is basically a way to mirror the applications installed on the iPhone if they are compatible with the driving mode.
Android Automotive has until now progressed slowly, with only Polestar and Volvo using it on their cars. However, several carmakers announced plans to install it on their vehicles, including PSA. Now that Ford will pre-load it on all its 2023 and later models, several other companies are likely to follow in their footsteps.
Tata owners who want to enable CarPlay on their Hexa SUVs should make sure they are running the latest software update. The safest way to get it is to pay a visit to the nearest dealership where the installation should be rather fast, obviously making sure everything is working correctly.
A software update released recently for the Hexa SUV enables CarPlay connectivity on the BS4 generation, thus providing customers with one more option for their infotainment system. It's worth knowing that Android Auto was already available on the Hexa, so the addition of CarPlay support provides similar connectivity capabilities for those with an iPhone.
CarPlay and Android Automotive, however, are completely different systems. First and foremost, CarPlay requires an iPhone to run on the head unit, whereas Android Automotive comes pre-loaded from the very beginning, thus offering a more native experience out of the box.
Android Automotive is also fitted with Google’s essential driving app package, including Google Maps and Google Assistant, while CarPlay is basically a way to mirror the applications installed on the iPhone if they are compatible with the driving mode.
Android Automotive has until now progressed slowly, with only Polestar and Volvo using it on their cars. However, several carmakers announced plans to install it on their vehicles, including PSA. Now that Ford will pre-load it on all its 2023 and later models, several other companies are likely to follow in their footsteps.
Tata owners who want to enable CarPlay on their Hexa SUVs should make sure they are running the latest software update. The safest way to get it is to pay a visit to the nearest dealership where the installation should be rather fast, obviously making sure everything is working correctly.
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