Android Auto (Google Assistant) vs Apple Carplay (Siri)

Anyone here know where to activate VW app connect on the cheap? The VW I tried is quoting R9k. You need app connect for AA and CarPlay
 
370z said:
Anyone here know where to activate VW app connect on the cheap? The VW I tried is quoting R9k. You need app connect for AA and CarPlay
Click to expand...

Putting in a different head unit sounds like a more economical option.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Being back on iPhone and being on leave with new baby and all have been spending a lot more time with CarPlay.

So some thoughts.

1. The permanently left side menu is utterly retarded for anyone on a right hand drive vehicle and downright unsafe. I’ve made a feature request to Apple to offer and inverted option but doubt anything would come of it.

In this regard Android Autos central menu system makes a lot more sense.

2. Apple Maps is actually pretty great. I’ve screwed myself over twice by not trusting it and then headed straight into stand still traffic like an idiot. It’s also a lot more aware of common places and I’m yet to find something lacking but I’ve not searched for anything too obscure. I’m sure Google Maps will still win overall for that.

I’ve also got a new off ramp close to my place which Apple Maps isn’t even aware of from satellite imagery and definitely routing.

3. Not that I’d even need it but the fact that it marks your car’s parked location when you unplug it is just such a typical Apple feature where the subtle little things matter.

4. Siri kicks Google Assistant’s ass. I’ve purposely gone one day entirely hands free and it worked flawlessly although touch is of course faster in many cases. Also it can direct and call to my contact which AA couldn’t do.

Only thing I miss is the ability to say “Hey Siri” in the car.
Click to expand...

I went and brought an old iPhone 5 out of retirement because I was doubting my recollection of things but...

IMG_20180413_083808555.jpg

So I'm guessing it could be your head unit.

Also, "Hey Siri" works just fine. Are you sure it's enabled on your phone?

Man I miss CarPlay. Even on the old phone it's leagues ahead of AA. :o
 
Last edited:
bwana said:
I went and brought an old iPhone 5 out of retirement because I was doubting my recollection of thing but...

View attachment 514587

So I'm guessing it could be your head unit.

Also, "Hey Siri" works just fine. Are you sure it's enabled on your phone?

Man I miss CarPlay. Even on the old phone it's leagues ahead of AA. :o
Click to expand...

WTF!!! I Googled my ass off to confirm before making the statement because it seemed so simple that it should flip around.

So it must be the head unit indeed.

I have enabled it and it does seem to work once in a blue moon but I suspect it’s working straight from the phone and not via the car’s microphone system.
 
SauRoNZA said:
WTF!!! I Googled my ass off to confirm before making the statement because it seemed so simple that it should flip around.

So it must be the head unit indeed.

I have enabled it and it does seem to work once in a blue moon but I suspect it’s working straight from the phone and not via the car’s microphone system.
Click to expand...
Have you tried changing the region setting on your phone? Perhaps switching it to UK might make a difference?

Is it an aftermarket head unit?
 
bwana said:
Have you tried changing the region setting on your phone? Perhaps switching it to UK might make a difference?

Is it an aftermarket head unit?
Click to expand...

Nah stock standard Kia unit. If it was aftermarket probably would have given more options.

But changing the region was my very thought to try next.

Google gives me nothing.

But even so yours is working presumably on SA region so it must come from the head unit.
 
Android Auto users can now access full contact list

Google has added a new feature to Android Auto: ability to access full contact list. The announcement came in the form of a post on the company's official forum.

"Starting today, you can now access your full contact list by opening the top-left menu when in Auto’s phone dialer interface," read the announcement post.

Basically, the menu now features a new entry for "Contacts," using which you can browse your contact list without any restrictions. However, keep in mind that the functionality only works when your vehicle is stopped.

"Anytime you’re in motion, browsing will be restricted after several taps (to ensure that attention stays where it belongs - on the road)," the post says.

https://www.gsmarena.com/android_auto_users_can_now_access_full_contact_list-news-30657.php
 
Well that’s retarded.

Why not just allow contacts access via voice control. No need to stop then.
 
FiestaST said:
Android Auto users can now access full contact list

Google has added a new feature to Android Auto: ability to access full contact list. The announcement came in the form of a post on the company's official forum.

"Starting today, you can now access your full contact list by opening the top-left menu when in Auto’s phone dialer interface," read the announcement post.

Basically, the menu now features a new entry for "Contacts," using which you can browse your contact list without any restrictions. However, keep in mind that the functionality only works when your vehicle is stopped.

"Anytime you’re in motion, browsing will be restricted after several taps (to ensure that attention stays where it belongs - on the road)," the post says.

https://www.gsmarena.com/android_auto_users_can_now_access_full_contact_list-news-30657.php
Click to expand...
So how come I still can't ask it to take me to an address in my contact list?
 
All Android P devices will feature support for Android Auto Wireless

Last month, Google officially announced the availability of Android Auto Wireless, a feature that lets you connect your phone to your car's Android Auto head unit using Wi-Fi.

As of now, the list of supported smartphones only includes Pixels (both first and second gen), Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6P.

However, going by what Kenwood's latest press release says, the list of compatible phones will grow as Android P starts rolling out. Here's the excerpt we're referring to:

The only devices that currently support wireless Android Auto are four versions of the Google Pixel—the first-generation Pixel and Pixel XL and the second-generation Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL—and the legacy Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. They must be upgraded to Android OS 8.0 or higher (via an over-the-air upgrade). For other device manufacturers, wireless Android Auto will be implemented with the adoption of Android OS 9.0 or higher.

While that's certainly good news, we'd suggest you hold off your excitement until Google officially confirm this.

https://www.gsmarena.com/all_androi...port_for_android_auto_wireless-news-30942.php
 
FiestaST said:
All Android P devices will feature support for Android Auto Wireless

Last month, Google officially announced the availability of Android Auto Wireless, a feature that lets you connect your phone to your car's Android Auto head unit using Wi-Fi.

As of now, the list of supported smartphones only includes Pixels (both first and second gen), Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6P.

However, going by what Kenwood's latest press release says, the list of compatible phones will grow as Android P starts rolling out. Here's the excerpt we're referring to:

The only devices that currently support wireless Android Auto are four versions of the Google Pixel—the first-generation Pixel and Pixel XL and the second-generation Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL—and the legacy Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. They must be upgraded to Android OS 8.0 or higher (via an over-the-air upgrade). For other device manufacturers, wireless Android Auto will be implemented with the adoption of Android OS 9.0 or higher.

While that's certainly good news, we'd suggest you hold off your excitement until Google officially confirm this.

https://www.gsmarena.com/all_androi...port_for_android_auto_wireless-news-30942.php
Click to expand...

Given that only 5% are currently using Oreo, 31% still using Nougat and most still mixed with the other remaining versions, this will be roughly in 2021?
 
My Nexus 5X is on 8.1 (beta) and my Mate 10 Pro on 8.0
Admittedly this doesn't mean much as I'm not looking forward to spending another R14k odd on a head unit that can support Wi-Fi AA when my current one cost me R10k and supports it via cable. (I'd love to do just that, but eish...) And then there's the Huawei compatibility issues with the current ('normal' / non-Wi-Fi AA)... But let's not go there :(
 
SauRoNZA said:
Nah stock standard Kia unit. If it was aftermarket probably would have given more options.

But changing the region was my very thought to try next.

Google gives me nothing.

But even so yours is working presumably on SA region so it must come from the head unit.
Click to expand...

Just an update on this left-hand drive Carplay display on the right-hand drive SA versions.

Reached out to Kia who told me that it's by design and cannot be changed due to some arbitrary logic. Then I linked them to an article in the UK where the very same car has it right-hand side facing.

Then they were to "investigate".

I'm still waiting.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Just an update on this left-hand drive Carplay display on the right-hand drive SA versions.

Reached out to Kia who told me that it's by design and cannot be changed due to some arbitrary logic. Then I linked them to an article in the UK where the very same car has it right-hand side facing.

Then they were to "investigate".

I'm still waiting.
Click to expand...

Do keep us posted on the "answer" please guy. Interested to hear their pov on this.
 
A few years ago when VW first launched Android auto in SA, the dealer told me that it's not supported in SA and will not work on my car. I downloaded the AA apk from apkmirror and got it working. The dealer couldn't believe that it actually worked, so do always believe what they say.
 
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-auto-new-feature-863867/

Android Auto is receiving a number of promising new features, including wireless connectivity, group messaging, and Google Assistant built-in. But there’s more to come in the longer term, which could fundamentally reshape the way Android Auto looks and interacts in future models.

Alongside the announcement that Volvo will be including Assistant, Maps, and Play Store on its future vehicles, Google showcased its vision for the future of the Android Auto interface at the Google I/O 2018 Automotive session. The plan appears to be to give car manufacturers more control over the look and features of Auto’s front end.

Google’s latest concept enables manufacturers to create a vehicle-specific theme with Android Auto, including colors and unique ergonomic details. The layout of the menus and details is also highly adaptable to different screen sizes and resolutions, and the design Google showcased demonstrated multiple app elements onscreen at once, including Maps navigation, Spotify controls, and Assistant reminders.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X