Apple car play / android auto

JustAnotherSaver

I was going to put this in the techie forum but since it's specific to motoring, here we are.

I'm considering picking one of these up, or at least i'm turning my attention to them. It'll be an Android Auto one in my case. I just don't really know anything about them.

It's been a long time since i picked up a head unit. The one i have is an Alpine CDE-126BT. Before that i had the 103-BT and only replaced it as it had turned a bit faulty. What i like about it is it:

1) has hands free calling

2) the cables are at the REAR, so nothing is on show

3a) I can connect my (old) iPod (classic)

3b) which the head unit then keeps charged at the same time while it's connected.

I think these CarPlay and Auto head units also have on screen sat nav with the use of Google Maps/Waze which would be handy.

DAB may or may not be a feature of most/all of them. This isn't a deal breaker as i mostly listen to my iPod but some times i put the radio on and DAB is much better than Radio 1 or the local stations.

Is it just gimmicky? Do they offer anything over what i have beyond sat nav and possibly DAB? Anything i should look out for that would be handy to have included or not?

Will be looking at a double DIN unit in the near future, preferably that can be used with steering wheel controls, so since they weren't really a thing the last time i bought a head unit i thought i'd ask about them.

DoaM

I can't speak for the unit you're talking about, but the Infotainment system in my Insignia is compatible with AA and Carplay. (I have an Android phone so I use AA). I always use Google Maps for navigation and typically set my destination by speaking to it. I also have my music on my phone (which connects to a USB socket in the armrest) and play my music that way (using the Rocket Player app in my case). I also sometimes use the TuneIn app for radio stations as the DAB receiver in the car is variable - some stations can suffer drop out. Pretty much most actions can be voice controlled - even Spotify, Amazon Music etc.

Obviously using TuneIn, Amazon Music, Spotify etc. (and Google Maps to a lesser extent) use the phone's data connection.

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=android%20auto%20apps&c=apps&hl=en_GB gives a list of apps that are compatible with AA. (Corrected a typo).
https://www.android.com/intl/en_uk/auto/ is a marketing/advert-type page for AA.

MinuteNoodles

JustAnotherSaver said:

Is it just gimmicky? Do they offer anything over what i have beyond sat nav and possibly DAB? Anything i should look out for that would be handy to have included or not?

Yes. Basically you get to be able to use your mobile phone on a larger simplified screen with bigger icons so it is beyond Satnav and DAB but Satnav and using say Spotify are the main things you'd use it for.

treeroy

I would stick with what you have. Just stick to google maps on your phone with your phone mounted on the dash. The only real benefit from the new unit would be the screen will be bigger (presumably!) than your phone. 

AdrianC

treeroy said:

The only real benefit from the new unit would be the screen will be bigger (presumably!) than your phone. 

...and probably less well-placed.

JustAnotherSaver

Thanks for the input.

I'm fine enough to use my phone as a sat nav so i don't 'need' that. It could be beneficial, i suppose i wont know unless i try it out.

I'm not too much of a fan of playing music via bluetooth because then the phone isn't being charged. As i have it now, i don't have to worry about my iPod running out of juice. I also don't have to change track on the iPod itself, i can do it on my existing head unit or on my steering wheel controls. This is with an iPod Classic 160GB connected.

I could have the phone (or iPod i suppose) connected to the 12v socket to charge but my experience with these is they charge slowly. I don't know if they'll be the exact same as my existing head unit setup or not.

Whatever the weather it'll be a new head unit as i'll be looking at double DINs be they car play/auto or not.

facade

My car has Android Auto. It is of no practical use.

The 'phone has to be plugged in via a lead for it to work, I presume bluetooth doesn't have the bandwidth for all those pretty icons and stuff.

The head unit plays MP3s, has a radio and a SatNav, and can read texts out loud from the phone already.

Oh, and the DABs is less use when moving than a chocolate fireguard too (at least you can eat the melted chocolate).

marlot

I simply LOVE android auto.  It's saved me from traffic jams multiple times.  I also get alerts to speed cameras (often even mobile ones).
If I get a whatsapp or a text, it can read it to me.  And I can dictate a reply.
I can even ask questions like what's the weather going to be tomorrow etc.
But most importantly  it simply excels as a satnav.

marlot

PS. DAB works fine for me, even on my country commute.  But it does need a decent aerial.

facade

marlot said:

PS. DAB works fine for me, even on my country commute.  But it does need a decent aerial.

I think that is my problem, the aerial is a tiny little rubber thing on the roof with an amplifier when it should be about a foot long for 1/4 wavelength. I looked for a longer one but they don't seem to be available.