Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay. How important is this feature to you?

Feb 8th, 2021 5:50 pm

#1

papermate2 [OP]: Member; Jan 22, 2017; 382 posts; 245 upvotes; GTA

Feb 8th, 2021 5:50 pm

Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay. How important is this feature to you?

I have used wired android auto for the past 3 years. It's not perfect but I use it nearly all the time for spotify and google maps. Overall, I enjoy having it. However, the lease is coming up and I have mo intention of keeping the vehicle.

I am now considering replacing the above car with an older vehicle without android auto.

Am I crazy for even entertaining this idea or is android auto/apple CarPlay a necessity? (Especially once you've had it). I guess I could try going a few days without it but I'm curious what others think.

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Feb 8th, 2021 6:13 pm

#2

Canuck2fan: Deal Addict; Nov 12, 2004; 2556 posts; 1273 upvotes; Hometown

Feb 8th, 2021 6:13 pm

Just install an infotainment system in the older car with what you want.... Not cheap but Crutchfield can probably set you up, once you have chosen your new "old" vehicle.

https://www.crutchfield.ca/c_3/Car-Audio-Video.html

Feb 8th, 2021 6:21 pm

#3

Badman: Deal Fanatic; Aug 4, 2005; 8230 posts; 886 upvotes; Brampton

Feb 8th, 2021 6:21 pm

I’m somewhat in a similar situation. My current car has Apple CarPlay/Android Auto but I keep thinking about “downgrading” to an older car to save money.

Really I think it would be fine. Just get a good phone holder and depending on the age of the vehicle just stream using Bluetooth or buy a Bluetooth to aux adapter.

At the end of the day think about all the savings you will have by having a older car instead.

Plus Tesla owners go without it lol

+1

Feb 8th, 2021 6:37 pm

#4

Xtrema: Deal Fanatic; Sep 1, 2004; 8392 posts; 7321 upvotes

Feb 8th, 2021 6:37 pm

I don't think it's a big deal. I never needed navigation 90% of the time so AA/CP is just a glorified music player for me.

But AA/CP is a must if it's a rental car.

Now as for downgrading to older car to save $, I think that's very YMMV. But retrofitting a head unit that's capable isn't that big of a deal.

Feb 8th, 2021 6:41 pm

#5

netgeek: Member; Nov 27, 2004; 393 posts; 50 upvotes

Feb 8th, 2021 6:41 pm

I love Apple CarPlay for the ability to use Waze and its seamless integration with my iPhone. It works for me and I wouldn't buy another car without it.

+2

Feb 8th, 2021 6:53 pm

#6

vkizzle: Deal Expert; Aug 22, 2011; 37073 posts; 23051 upvotes; Center of Universe

Feb 8th, 2021 6:53 pm

Not important at all.
I rarely look at my infotainment screen when driving.

+1

Feb 8th, 2021 6:56 pm

#7

JustMike: Deal Addict; Apr 10, 2002; 2350 posts; 871 upvotes; Central Ontario

Feb 8th, 2021 6:56 pm

Even my motorcycle has CarPlay... I wouldn't buy another car without it. Waze for the traffic reports is gold! Those who dismiss it haven't had it reroute you around a traffic jam.

+4

Feb 8th, 2021 7:39 pm

#8

cheapskatescooner: Sr. Member; Nov 14, 2010; 991 posts; 251 upvotes

Feb 8th, 2021 7:39 pm

I have it, it's not a big deal, and I don't use it often. I don't want to plug and unplug my phone every time I get in the car. I rather use a USB flash drive with music, or Bluetooth for audio. I've only used it a couple times to have directions / maps on a bigger screen. I found it not near as seamless an experience I was hoping for.

+1

Feb 8th, 2021 8:03 pm

#9

VanillaDonut: Sr. Member; Jul 29, 2019; 794 posts; 648 upvotes

Feb 8th, 2021 8:03 pm

I use it a lot, primarily for Google Maps. Google Maps will always be better than the factory Maps plus you don't need to get the higher trim for it and Google Maps is always updated. Now the benefit of having Android Auto/Car Play is because of the bigger screen. You can simply buy a good phone holder that attaches to the dash or vents and it works great as well. I had a vent attachment I bought before getting a new car. As far as I understand, Ontario's distracted driving laws allow you to use the infotainment screen but not touch your phone at all unless you use voice commands.

Feb 9th, 2021 8:34 am

#10

Pete_Coach: Deal Expert; May 10, 2005; 36265 posts; 10487 upvotes; Ottawa

Feb 9th, 2021 8:34 am

Zero importance. Have been a Sirius user for years and it has way more of everything I need or like. Am able to get yearly subscription for less than $100.
As for navigation, my car has it so don't need my phone for that either.

Feb 9th, 2021 8:44 am

#11

Rob_EV: Deal Fanatic; Sep 10, 2008; 9330 posts; 7483 upvotes; Kitchener

Feb 9th, 2021 8:44 am

I absolutely HATED it in the 2019 Audi A4 I was driving, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata wasn't much better (but at least had a touchscreen). Been driving a Model 3 the last few years and having a built in, integrated system is just better than anything that connects with a cable to your phone.

Moving forward, I'm going to be running Waze on my phone as a supplementary measure because of all of the municipal speed cameras being installed. I recommend that EVERYONE just has Waze running at all times.

Feb 9th, 2021 12:00 pm

#12

Ecsta: Deal Addict; Jan 17, 2009; 3872 posts; 3946 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Feb 9th, 2021 12:00 pm

I will never buy a car im using as a daily driver that doesn't have Apply Carplay or Android Auto (preferably both). It's the biggest game changer I've used next to getting a car with cruise control. For older cars I just have to be able to retrofit a radio with it, newer cars I definitely want it to come with it from the factory for ease of use. Waze and/or Google Maps are requirements. Having a consistent and quick interface is a huge bonus. For a weekend or toy car its less of an issue.

Wireless CarPlay has also been very nice...

Feb 9th, 2021 2:09 pm

#13

Canadadesi: Sr. Member; Nov 13, 2016; 797 posts; 427 upvotes

Feb 9th, 2021 2:09 pm

I have AA and love to use it - mostly waze even thought I have navigation. Worried that the frequent connection/disconnect of the cable will eventually wear out the charging port of my phone. Now I connect it only for selected trips or use waze on the phone. Will switch to a vehicle with wireless AA/AC in future.

CD

Feb 9th, 2021 2:29 pm

#14

Xtrema: Deal Fanatic; Sep 1, 2004; 8392 posts; 7321 upvotes

Feb 9th, 2021 2:29 pm

Rob_EV wrote: ↑ Moving forward, I'm going to be running Waze on my phone as a supplementary measure because of all of the municipal speed cameras being installed. I recommend that EVERYONE just has Waze running at all times.

Doesn't matter how much you lover your factory system, it's still annoying without world wide app support. Does Tesla support Apple Music or Youtube Music yet on their HU? It's kinda stupid to have to pay them monthly for premium and I am still forced to switch to Spotify.

Even IOS 14.5 allows you to choose beyond Apple Music as streaming service now.

+1

Feb 9th, 2021 2:49 pm

#15

Rob_EV: Deal Fanatic; Sep 10, 2008; 9330 posts; 7483 upvotes; Kitchener

Feb 9th, 2021 2:49 pm

Xtrema wrote: ↑ Doesn't matter how much you lover your factory system, it's still annoying without world wide app support. Does Tesla support Apple Music or Youtube Music yet on their HU? It's kinda stupid to have to pay them monthly for premium and I am still forced to switch to Spotify.

Even IOS 14.5 allows you to choose beyond Apple Music as streaming service now.

That stuff is coming...but I have premium connectivity for free (even if you didn't you can tether your phone as a hotspot) and I pay $3/month for Spotify (THANKS RFD Group Buys).

Feb 9th, 2021 3:15 pm

#16

george__: Deal Expert; Jul 22, 2006; 22214 posts; 2881 upvotes

Feb 9th, 2021 3:15 pm

I like how I can push Waze into the main display of the car but it's not a deal breaker

Feb 9th, 2021 3:37 pm

#17

koffey: Deal Expert; Oct 6, 2010; 15379 posts; 9928 upvotes; Toronto

Feb 9th, 2021 3:37 pm

DYI difficulty scale:
0-joke
10-no joke

+1

Feb 9th, 2021 5:16 pm

#18

bembol: Deal Expert; Jan 27, 2006; 19166 posts; 2889 upvotes; Woodbridge

Feb 9th, 2021 5:16 pm

vkizzle wrote: ↑ Not important at all.
I rarely look at my infotainment screen when driving.

You mean you don't watch Seinfeld while driving/stuck in traffic? LOL

A have a friend, his girlfriend's brother watches in his FK8.

"I'll put up color bars before I'll put you in front of our cameras."

- MacKenzie
THE NEWSROOM (HBO)

+1

Feb 9th, 2021 5:42 pm

#19

prod: Deal Addict; May 18, 2002; 4305 posts; 1399 upvotes; Brampton

Feb 9th, 2021 5:42 pm

Old guy here so humor me, I have never tried AA or carplay. What are the advantages over using a phone mounted to the dash?

INFORMATION: The requested thread does not exist.

Feb 9th, 2021 5:48 pm

#20

golden: Deal Fanatic; Jan 15, 2004; 7116 posts; 1606 upvotes

Feb 9th, 2021 5:48 pm

It's a must have feature for me. Frankly, I haven't use the car navi much at all. The address entry and the bad real time traffic are the key reasons why I never use it. The Android auto is so much better as I can simply search the name of the shop or place and not having to worry about its address. Plus, any kind of music subscriptions can be easily played on the same interface. I know you can use BT, but it's not as good without the screen.