Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/X
Modern drivers think Android Auto and CarPlay are must-have equipment in new cars, especially because they offer convenient access to their apps.
I'd say the biggest benefit is the reduced distraction, as drivers are less tempted to pick up their phones when the apps they use and notifications are available on the screen on their dashboard.
Developers also acknowledged that bringing their apps to the vehicle experience is key to steady adoption, as the number of Android Auto and CarPlay users keeps growing.
This week, Android Auto and CarPlay received several new apps, and while they're not high-profile releases, they confirm that Google and Apple have every reason to continue investing in their car experiences.
First, users who enjoy listening to radio stations while driving received two new apps. WMHT-FM and WEXT apps are now compatible with Apple CarPlay, so users can listen to their favorite radio station wherever they are. The biggest benefit of an Internet-connected radio station is that you can tune in even when you are outside of the broadcast area. You can control the playback from the CarPlay screen when the app runs in the car.
If you live in Europe and travel through Slovakia, you may want to download and install ZSE Drive on your iPhone. The application offers excellent coverage of local charging stations for electric vehicles, so you can find a nearby location in seconds based on your vehicle profile. The application is now available on CarPlay, bringing all the key features at a one-tap distance. You can see the nearby stations, their location on the map, and receive navigation guidance to reach them conveniently. The parent company says it's also working on an Android Auto version, but no ETA has been offered as to when it could be released to users.
Android Auto is also getting an exclusive release. 101 Smooth Jazz, an app that lets you listen to jazz tunes, landed in the car with the latest update. The application is already on the Play Store, so the only thing you must do is install the latest version, and it should become available in the car. Once you tap its icon, 101 Smooth Jazz will launch its car-optimized interface, letting you listen to your favorite jazz mixes and control the playback without unlocking the mobile device.
Apple's statistics indicate that approximately 80% of the new-car buyers in the United States want CarPlay in their next vehicles. They are otherwise prepared to move to another model or brand, Apple says, as CarPlay has become a mandatory feature in new-generation cars. Google says Android Auto is compatible with over 200 million vehicles on the road, and everyone can get the system, including in a new car, with an aftermarket head unit upgrade.
Developers also acknowledged that bringing their apps to the vehicle experience is key to steady adoption, as the number of Android Auto and CarPlay users keeps growing.
This week, Android Auto and CarPlay received several new apps, and while they're not high-profile releases, they confirm that Google and Apple have every reason to continue investing in their car experiences.
First, users who enjoy listening to radio stations while driving received two new apps. WMHT-FM and WEXT apps are now compatible with Apple CarPlay, so users can listen to their favorite radio station wherever they are. The biggest benefit of an Internet-connected radio station is that you can tune in even when you are outside of the broadcast area. You can control the playback from the CarPlay screen when the app runs in the car.
If you live in Europe and travel through Slovakia, you may want to download and install ZSE Drive on your iPhone. The application offers excellent coverage of local charging stations for electric vehicles, so you can find a nearby location in seconds based on your vehicle profile. The application is now available on CarPlay, bringing all the key features at a one-tap distance. You can see the nearby stations, their location on the map, and receive navigation guidance to reach them conveniently. The parent company says it's also working on an Android Auto version, but no ETA has been offered as to when it could be released to users.
Android Auto is also getting an exclusive release. 101 Smooth Jazz, an app that lets you listen to jazz tunes, landed in the car with the latest update. The application is already on the Play Store, so the only thing you must do is install the latest version, and it should become available in the car. Once you tap its icon, 101 Smooth Jazz will launch its car-optimized interface, letting you listen to your favorite jazz mixes and control the playback without unlocking the mobile device.
Apple's statistics indicate that approximately 80% of the new-car buyers in the United States want CarPlay in their next vehicles. They are otherwise prepared to move to another model or brand, Apple says, as CarPlay has become a mandatory feature in new-generation cars. Google says Android Auto is compatible with over 200 million vehicles on the road, and everyone can get the system, including in a new car, with an aftermarket head unit upgrade.
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