Android Auto vs CarPlay 2023

September 12, 2023 2:31 PM

Interested in the experiences of those who have used both Android Auto and CarPlay in 2023, and how you feel they compare. I'm well aware of all of the other differences of Android vs. iOS - and have used both myself - but I'm really only interested only in your personal in-car experience. I can (theoretically) use both 100% wirelessly in my car.
posted by I EAT TAPAS to Technology (2 answers total)

My wife has an iPhone that loves to take over my car HUD (this drives me crazy) and I have an Android. So, sometimes it's CarPlay and sometimes it's Android Auto.

From the standpoint of someone who uses it mainly to use Google Maps and listen to Spotify and Audible, I don't really notice much practical difference. It's a very similar look and feel. I'm sure the differences are absolutely there but I'm busy driving and functionally it seems the same.

I will say my wife sometimes has to turn CarPlay on and off to get Google Maps to not be a big blue box on my center console, but that could definitely be a her specific phone thing.
posted by kbanas at 5:55 PM on September 12, 2023

They are very, very similar in form and functionality in my experience. I slightly prefer the Android Auto look and feel, but that's entirely subjective.

The two points of differentiation that I can think of:
- Google Assistant is generally a bit more helpful than Siri, which is handy when you're trying to keep your eyes on the road.
- CarPlay seems to have a more ambitious long-term plan right now, so you're more likely to be better supported if you are thinking of buying a fancy new car at some point in a few years.
posted by dudekiller at 12:59 AM on September 13, 2023