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.
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+.
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.”
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto let you connect your phone to your car’s stereo system without needing to plug in a cable. Once connected, you can use your phone’s features—like maps, music, messages, and calls—on your car’s touchscreen or through voice commands. It’s just like having your phone built into your dashboard, but wire-free, so it’s quicker and easier every time you get in the car.
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.
LICENSED APPLE CARPLAY/ANDROID AUTO
At OEM Audio, we exclusively recommend licensed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in our in-car media products. They’re the safest, most reliable, and most future-proof way to integrate your smartphone with your vehicle.
The last thing we want is someone crashing their car because they were watching a video while driving. CarPlay and Android Auto keep your focus where it should be—on the road.
See our YouTube channel for more information about how the UI of a licensed Apple CarPlay should look and perform.
HANDS-FREE CAR AUDIO IS A MUST
In 2022 distraction was a factor in 22* deaths and 113 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 4 April 2023.
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.”
Source: NZTA
It might be satisfying to turn a knob for that exact volume but many cars have steering wheel controls allowing you the satisfaction of quick control without taking your hands off the wheel. Examples of accessing your entertainments include “Hey Google, play ACDC in Spotify”, “Hey Siri, open Podcasts”.
VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS ALLOW HANDS-FREE OPERATION
SEND A TEXT MESSAGE HANDS-FREE
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’.
NAVIGATION
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”, or “Hey Siri, take me to the nearest supermarket” 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 or can suggest routes avoiding tolls.
Watch These Tutorials
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APPLE CARPLAY/ANDROID AUTO FOR MANY POPULAR MAKES AND MODELS
Suzuki Swift (2017+) BTN301 Package
$699.00 Incl. GST
Toyota Estima (2006-12) BTN301 Package
$699.00 Incl. GST
Suzuki Vitara (2015+) BTN305 Package
$699.00 Incl. GST
Subaru Outback/Legacy RHD (2009-14) BTN305 Package
$699.00 Incl. GST
Toyota Corolla (2009-13) BTN305 Package
$699.00 Incl. GST
Toyota Highlander (2009-13) BTN315 Package
$699.00 Incl. GSTDesigned for every driver of every age.
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto makes the drive easier, safer and more fun.
MIRRORLINK Vs. APPLE CARPLAY/ANDROID AUTO
Some believe MirrorLink is a viable alternative. It’s not. Here’s why.
CarPlay & Android Auto: Built for Safe, Smart Driving
Crucially, they do NOT allow video playback while driving—a critical safety feature. MirrorLink, on the other hand, does.
MirrorLink: Outdated & Unsafe
MirrorLink simply mirrors your phone’s screen onto your car’s display—giving full access to all apps, including video streaming services like YouTube and Netflix.
And let’s be real—people will use it. That’s a major problem. Watching videos while driving is a serious safety risk.
Beyond safety concerns, MirrorLink has another major flaw:
❌ Short lifespan & lack of support – Many MirrorLink systems become outdated within a few years, leaving users with buggy, unsupported software. Unlike CarPlay and Android Auto, which receive continuous updates, MirrorLink fades into obsolescence.
For manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, this is a headache. Customers expect updates, but MirrorLink’s support disappears quickly.
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.