According to a new report, YouTube Music is a hit among drivers, but fewer are using Android Auto compared to the year prior.
I used android auto daily, but it has become a lot less reliable. It about 50-50 on whether it will actually start up on the car or not. Car firmware has stayed the same so Google broke something.
My brother has the same phone and cannot get it to work anymore at all. I would not be surprised if part of the drop is just due to software bugs.
What is the alternative for Android Auto then?
The report says that Android Auto is being used by 7% fewer drivers year-over-year while Apple’s CarPlay grew by 2%. That drop likely comes a combination of users who switched their phones from Android to iPhone, as well as those who may have upgraded to a vehicle where they no longer use Android Auto.
Sounds like most of it is manufacturers dropping support.
I recently leased an EV and in it I use the built-in system because it automatically finds and reserves charge stations along my route. The interface is also nicer than Android Auto.
I also recently got to drive a loaner Mercedes EV and the built-in, AR enhanced nav system blows Google Maps away for city driving.
That only applies to EVs though. I use Android Auto everywhere else.
What’s AR enhanced SatNav do extra?
When you are coming up on an exit or a turn, it uses the car’s front facing camera yo highlight which lane you should be on, which way you are turning, and where the turn is, all in real time. It is especially useful in city driving. Saved my but multiple times when navigating the Atlanta metro area.
