Understanding Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
Technology is moving fast in the car audio industry. Basic double din car stereos have evolved into large touchscreen units with high resolution displays running sophisticated operating systems. Smartphones connect to the car stereo using Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is now commonplace. As well as being convenient, a modern car audio unit can offer the driver a smarter and safer way to use smartphones in the car.
WHAT IS APPLE CARPLAY?
Apple CarPlay is software in-built into modern iPhones. The user interface (the phone’s screen with all the icons you’ll instantly recognise) is displayed on the screen of the car audio unit. This enables the driver to access useful apps using ‘Siri’, Apple’s Virtual Assistant. Motorists can use the software to get turn-by-turn directions, make calls, send and receive text messages, and listen to music or podcasts. To get directions, for example “Hey Siri, find coffee near me”. To run wireless Apple CarPlay your iPhone must be running iOS 13+.
WHAT IS ANDROID AUTO?
Android Auto takes the features you love about your Android-powered smartphone and puts them directly in your car’s car audio unit. It displays information on a familiar, easy-to-use, legible menus, using large icons. Android Auto is built-in to modern Samsung phones, but can be downloaded from Google Play for the older Samsung smartphones. When the wake words “Hey Google” are spoken, the voice-based personal assistant ‘Google Assistant’ responds and you can get help. To create a text message, for example, say “Hey Google, send text message”.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?
In 2020 distraction was a factor in 23* deaths and 125 serious injuries. A major part of driver distraction can be use of a device such as a cell phone whilst driving. NZTA and NZ Police in conjunction with major telco’s have attempted to raise awareness in NZ in order to get these stats down. A fact sheet is available online
*Note: Data is for all crashes reported by NZ Police to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency for the year 2020 as recorded in the Crash Analysis System (CAS) at 19 July 2021.
Illegal device use in a car by drivers has been reported
“It’s safest not to use a phone at all when driving but the reality is that driver phone use is commonplace. As many of these uses are both dangerous and illegal, the working group has developed a fact sheet to highlight the legal and illegal use of phones in cars and better equip drivers with knowledge around driver distraction.”
TELL ME MORE:
Navigating the roads when on holiday or during peak times can be difficult. The Apple Maps and Google Maps apps are live, up-to-date and are built-in to your phone, and therefore display on your car audio screen.
Simple spoken instructions such as “Hey Google take me to 27 Lancaster Street” allow any driver to quickly access a map. No more manually typing in an address. Customise the map app in your phone’s setting menu to turn on/off spoke instructions, download Google Maps for use offline. Some maps will show traffic congestion and incidents.
Sending text messages is easy, just ask “Hey Siri send text message to Mum” which begins the process. Dictate the message, confirm the accuracy and instruction to ‘send’.
Examples of accessing your entertainments include “Hey Google, play ACDC in Spotify”, “Hey Siri, open Podcasts”.
BLUETOOTH:
Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over a short range using short-wavelength UHF radio waves. Once your smartphone is paired to the car audio unit via Bluetooth the software in the media unit can access your phone book and songs wirelessly.
TAKE-AWAY:
It’s illegal for a driver to:
- hold and use a mobile phone at any time while driving or waiting in a queue of traffic, at an intersection, or at traffic lights
- create, send or read any type of message while driving
- email, use social media, video call, browse the internet, play games and take photos/video while driving
- perform any other activity not specifically listed while holding a mobile phone and driving, including use of the phone for navigation or to play music.
APPLE CARPLAY/ANDROID AUTO FOR MANY POPULAR MAKES AND MODELS
Designed for the every driver of every age.
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto makes the drive easier, safer and more fun.
Consider using the Virtual Assistant in Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for a safer drive.
DICTATE TEXT MESSAGES
MAKE HANDS-FREE CALLS
BUYER BEWARE: ANDROID PHONES ARE NOT ALL THE SAME
Android software, designed by Google, can be found in a variety of phones available on the market. Do your research before buying a smartphone or upgrading your car audio. Some models of some smartphones (such as Oppo or Huawei) may not be compatible with Android Auto and older or cheap Samsung phones may not work. Google’s help page on Android Auto states that you need a device with Android 6 Marshmallow or higher to use it, along with an active cellular data plan. Wireless Android Auto requires Android 11.0+. We recommend Samsung S-series phones.