Even though Apple is my personal ecosystem, Android Auto is my favorite infotainment system behind the wheel. Yes, I think it’s better than Apple CarPlay, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement. The more I use Android Auto, the more I like it and the more I find its weaknesses.
Yes, being a system compatible with so many different models and brands, it is normal that there are certain delays and lags that I have not seen in Apple Carplay, but I also miss Features that would take Android Auto to the next level.
A better wireless Android Auto
I’ve already mentioned that I use Android Auto with a cable, although on short trips around the city I find it convenient to go wireless. Not only are there many models that are not compatible and that you can’t do anything other than buy an adapter, but The experience is clearly improvable. I know that as I explained in the intro, it is not only Google’s fault here and that the combination of software and hardware makes everything difficult.
Because it is relatively common that sometimes the phone is not recognized, there are blockages, failures and even increases in temperature unexpected with this route. When you are driving and trust your route to Google Maps or Waze, the last thing you need is for it to freeze. Wireless should already be a standard and should be more reliable.
If parked, I want more Android Auto options
I understand that watching a YouTube video or putting on a Netflix series while traveling is somewhat irresponsible since it is easy for the driver to get distracted, but Android Auto already knows when you are moving and when you have the car parked and it would be nice if in this second scenario there were more options for useIn fact, this is already the case with Android Automotive.
I think for example about when I’m waiting for someone in the car (for example, at the airport), in camper vans, when you go camping and want to watch something in the car or simply, when you have an electric car and you’re charging. In that case it would be nice to be able to entertain yourself with videos using that screen and not be on the mobile screen. Yes, I’m talking about be able to watch YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video and the likeAnd why not, even Google Meet: if there is already compatibility with Zoom, it would be appropriate to do the same with its video calling app.
I want to warn of road hazards with the voice assistant
If you come across an object on the road and you’re using Waze, you can mark it by tapping the screen a couple of times, which means taking your eyes off the road and a hand off the wheel. This is not only dangerous, but also a reason for a fine. And be careful, because Waze at least allows you to do it: with Google Maps you have to use your mobile phone.
Roadside alerts are essential for a good experiencealerting you of any unexpected incidents such as accidents, checkpoints, radars… so it would be ideal for them to be integrated in general in GPS navigators (that depends on each app), but the least they could do is include them in Google’s and also make it possible to do so by voice.
Look mom, no hands
Because Android Auto relies too much on touch controls and that is a problem for security and possible sanctions. An example: when an alert appears, it remains on the screen until either they go away on their own after a certain (long) time or you remove them with a touch.
But that’s what it is, both in terms of the interface and the huge room for improvement that Google Assistant has on Android Auto, and that Gemini’s artificial intelligence has yet to fully cover everything. In this sense, a small improvement that doesn’t require too much effort would be to tell the assistant something like “remove the notification” and that’s it.
Cover | Montage with own photography and Android auto icons created by Freepik – Flaticon