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Understanding the purpose of Android Auto (lemmy.world)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by corroded@lemmy.world to c/android@lemmy.world

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I upgraded the head unit in my car recently. The head unit itself runs Android, and it supports Android Auto. So far, I've been using Android Auto via bluetooth, and it works great. I have no complaints.

I started using Android Auto just because it seemed logical, but I'm not understanding exactly what the benefits are. Since the head unit runs Android, couldn't I just install the apps I need on the head unit itself and just tether my phone for internet access? It also supports a 5G connection, so if I installed a SIM card, I don't think I'd need my phone at all. To be honest, I'm leading toward that; it just seems easier and a lot more straightforward.

I have no complaints about Android Auto, I just don't really see what it brings to the table other than a layer of abstraction over the head unit's native interface. It might be worth mentioning that the only thing I do in my car is streaming music and navigation.

What features am I missing? Surely there is a compelling reason for Android Auto to exist.

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[–] plaidman@programming.dev 13 points 10 months ago (1 children)

In your case it is probably not necessary if setting up the tether is easier than plugging your phone into the USB.

However most cars don't have android running their head unit. Android auto is helpful for those people.

[–] corroded@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

That makes a lot of sense; I would definitely be using it if I didn't have Android on the head unit. One note: I'm using bluetooth for Android Auto, and I'd do the same for tethering, so I wouldn't have to plug it into USB either way, except for charging.

[–] effward@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

Yeah, wireless Android Auto is great, although I've noticed that it's fairly battery-intensive.

I've only used it on rental cars. My own car says that wireless Android Auto is supported, but I've never gotten it to work, and I think the on-screen message saying it should work is actually a bug. Probably because they have the same (or very similar) code running on newer versions of my car which do support wireless Android Auto.