Google Announces 'Android Auto' CarPlay Competitor

[Mad Mac Maniac]

You care enough to make a post.

This kind of comment is a new kind of trolling. The OP doesn't care about the post, but he DOES care that it was posted onto a site that he believes (rightly or not) should only be dedicated to Apple news (and you have to admit, he has a point).

 

[androiphone]

One has a terribly distracting background that has absolutely no place in a car environment where you should be focused on driving?

This is what I was going to say, in a car you want something absolutely direct to the point, in the music interface you want to see big bold play, and skip buttons, that you cannot miss, and you want some dark colours so they are not glaring in the corner of your eye.
https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/
http://www.android.com/auto/

IMO from the pictures shown Carplay does seem slightly better (esp in the colours), you want it 'hidden' in plain view, I think the 'useful cards' on Android auto could be a real distraction if they are not controlled extremely carefully (eg not shown at all when driving)

But as long as a car supports both then that is what really matters.

 

[I like bananas]

See the screenshots I posted I think on page 3.

Well, they are obviously much different in terms of the UI, but I don't see much in terms of actual features - the big difference there seems to be that you can get notified to buy sunscreen.

 

[Parise]

Well, they are obviously much different in terms of the UI, but I don't see much in terms of actual features - the big difference there seems to be that you can get notified to buy sunscreen.

Haha touche.

Listen, they're both improvements upon what we have now. I personally like the Android one better, but wouldn't be disappointed if I was "stuck" with CarPlay. This type of innovation is great for all of us. I don't get the constant hate on a piece of software that I see from both sides of the ball. IT'S 1's AND 0's, PEOPLE.

 

[CFreymarc]

I don't see how some manufacturers, such as Honda (who has committed to both the Open Automotive Alliance and Apple) will be able to support both platforms. Perhaps they will have some models supporting Android Car and others supporting CarPlay? That doesn't make sense. Also, I don't see how there could be a modular solution where they can "swap out" to the other platform.

What I see is an OEM or dealership option to swap out CarPlay or this Android knock off by reprogramming the center stack entertainment option as needed.

My guess is you will see a trend of Android Auto in the lower end units, less trendy unuts while CarPlay is in the trendy and higher end units. Thus, it will follow the consumer trend of smartphone. Cheap users that do not buy aftermarket will go Andriod while people with money goes CarPlay.

 

[Parise]

What I see is an OEM or dealership option to swap out CarPlay or this Android knock off by reprogramming the center stack entertainment option as needed.

My guess is you will see a trend of Android Auto in the lower end units, less trendy unuts while CarPlay is in the trendy and higher end units. Thus, it will follow the consumer trend of smartphone. Cheap users that do not buy aftermarket will go Andriod while people with money goes CarPlay.

lol wow.

 

[LordVic]

I don't see how some manufacturers, such as Honda (who has committed to both the Open Automotive Alliance and Apple) will be able to support both platforms. Perhaps they will have some models supporting Android Car and others supporting CarPlay? That doesn't make sense. Also, I don't see how there could be a modular solution where they can "swap out" to the other platform.

From my understanding about the Carplay platform, is that it's not a in dash operating system on its own.

It's basically an application layer that will run on car head units that already run one of the open platforms, such as QNX.

If this is the case for both CarPlay and Android Auto, then there doesn't need to be "one or the other".

it's a purely software logic at this point. The base headunit runs it's standard HTML5 UI on top of QNX. Then when you plug in a smartphone, it will automatically load the module required for that device. Detects an Android phone, fires up Android Auto layer. Detects an iPhone, fires up CarPlay.

this would be the ideal solution for any car manufacturer, giving them full support

 

[SMIDG3T]

If you truly did not care, you would have moved on. Visiting the article and this comment thread means it piqued your interest enough that you rationalized in your mind it was worth spending time and energy and doing something in it.

Wrong. And before you say "why are you back?" I'm looking at replies.

 

[CFreymarc]

Ridiculous...

Just a matter of time before someone hacks this in an malicious attempt to distract the driver with a shock image or video appearing on the screen and a screaming voice on the stereo system.

 

[Plutonius]

I hope that the 3rd party stereo manufactures will support both, being as I like the iphone but my wife is an android phone user.

Just get a new wife .

 

[thekeyring]

::cough cough::

That was bad. However, it's no doubt that iOS is more secure than Android.

 

[639051]

I dont know if this is going to be good or bad. Are car manufacturers going to be putting both systems in their cars? Will I have to steer away from certain cars because they are only compatible with Android...

When it comes to technology in cars, I really wish it would stay on one path are really catch up to the rest of mobile technology.

I agree, they need to offer a standard interface that any device with an automobile "system" can integrate with. Having to pick a car is enough work already, making it more so is just going to irritate people.

 

[TheHateMachine]

Wrong. And before you say "why are you back?" I'm looking at replies.

So you care enough to look at replies apparently.

 

[Parise]

One bug compared to a platform so open you can buy anti-virus software to protect it.

I wouldn't go as far as calling that a simple bug.

That was a show stopper, probably to the point where it was all hands on deck over on the iOS team to get this patched. Relax. I don't need to on my 5S, but I pay attention to the permissions an app requires on my Nexus 5 so I have never once gotten a virus on that device. When your world marketshare is over 1 billion, you're going to be targeted (see: Windows machines). Android doesn't need to be more closed off, it needs to be more open as to wtf is coming in and going out. It's why ROMs like Cyanogenmod are kicking butt (with it's Privacy Guard).

 

[bluespark]

This is actually huge. Android Auto looks better than anything iOS has going for it in the car.

I agree, and it will prompt Android ecosystem purchases. Apple should take this challenge very seriously.

 

[mytdave]

ugh!

Aaaaahhhh! Google is the new Microsoft - "Me too!"

Seriously, why can't they go back to coming up with their own unique ideas instead of stealing other companies ideas?... Oh, wait, 95% of them never make it out of their "labs".

 

[Parise]

Aaaaahhhh! Google is the new Microsoft - "Me too!"

Seriously, why can't they go back to coming up with their own unique ideas instead of stealing other companies ideas?... Oh, wait, 95% of them never make it out of their "labs".

I refuse to believe that you aren't joking

 

[ToomeyND]

Imagine a GM car with Android and Nvidia.

Crashes, lags and catches fire.

So......imagine a GM car? I don't understand why Android and Nvidia are required.

 

[twigman08]

Seriously.

They literally went on for like 10 minutes about how they've (apparently) just invented drop shadows.

I didn't like the presentation either but to be fair Apple does that also. I remember last year how long they went on like they invented parallax scrolling. Just want to be fair, but I also really didn't like the presentation that much. Didn't think it was as good as some of their others I've seen.

 

[JGIGS]

I would not by a vehicle with android OS in it. So ridiculous.

Hmmm well it would be better than having every other stock interface. Car infotainment systems are pretty slow and out dated.

It would be nice if cars released had both ios and android pre installed amd you choose which you want to use.

 

[MattWylde]

They look to have almost the same functionality if you ask me.

With iOS 8 and using "Hey Siri" you never have to touch a button to get access to voice controls. It's not clear from the demo if "OK Google" works in a similar fashion. I'm assuming it doesn't or they would have shown that off rather than having the guy press the voice button on the steering wheel to interact with AndroidAuto.

Another differentiating factor seems to be that there is a pretty big difference in the supported vehicles. Apple's CarPlay is supported by fewer car manufacturers, but more high end models (Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Ferrari). AndroidAuto is supported by more car manufacturers overall, but mostly of the common type such as Dodge/Chrysler and the like. I also see no mention of AndroidAuto being supported by aftermarket systems by Pioneer or Alpine. No matter what kind of car you have, if you install one of those systems you can have CarPlay.

It just seems to me to be another Google rip-off of an Apple feature. At least Apple won't be selling my location or driving habits to advertisers.

 

[MacMan988]

There's nothing wrong with the font.

And the vast majority of people Take Google Maps more seriously than Apple's version.

Apple maps don't even provide point-to-point directions for my country. All I can do is to open it and scroll around to see the roofs of buildings and lakes and stuffs. Google maps works perfectly though.

 

[Parise]

They look to have almost the same functionality if you ask me.

With iOS 8 and using "Hey Siri" you never have to touch a button to get access to voice controls. It's not clear from the demo if "OK Google" works in a similar fashion. I'm assuming it doesn't or they would have shown that off rather than having the guy press the voice button on the steering wheel to interact with AndroidAugo. T

Another differentiating factor seems to be that there is a pretty big difference in the supported vehicles. Apple's CarPlay is supported by fewer car manufacturers, but more high end models (Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Ferrari). AndroidAuto is supported by more car manufacturers overall, but mostly of the common type such as Dodge/Chrysler and the like. I also see no mention of AndroidAuto being supported by aftermarket systems by Pioneer or Alpine. No matter what kind of car you have, if you install one of those systems you can have CarPlay.

It just seems to me to be another Google rip-off of an Apple feature. At least Apple won't be selling my location or driving habits to advertisers.

Android Auto will be available through 3rd party hardware.

 

[crsh1976]

Aaaaahhhh! Google is the new Microsoft - "Me too!"

Seriously, why can't they go back to coming up with their own unique ideas instead of stealing other companies ideas?... Oh, wait, 95% of them never make it out of their "labs".

I can't tell whether you're serious or not.

 

[glis1]

I refuse to believe that you aren't joking

Stop your astroturfing Parise, it's getting too obvious. I bet you are financially invested in Google somehow.