Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are in-car systems that let you access specific features of your phone through your infotainment system or through your phone interface!

Both systems can do a variety of things, like display turn by turn directions through your preferred navigation app, play music, and check and respond to messages through voice commands.

Connecting to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto gives drivers the ability to stay connected while also keeping their eyes on the road by simplifying tasks that would usually require the driver to glance at their phone.

Apple CarPlay

To launch Apple CarPlay, simply connect your phone via a USB cable and allow the vehicle access to the phone. Be sure to unlock your phone when connecting and also, use a supported USB cord so that the vehicle can access the media in your phone. Once the phone is connected, allow the vehicle access so that your compatible apps can be integrated.

Apple CarPlay can perform many of the same functions as an iPhone, such as give turn-by-turn directions, make calls, send and receive text messages, and play music, podcasts or audiobooks.

Apple CarPlay can be controlled and accessed through the vehicle’s touchscreen or via Siri voice commands. The touchscreen will provide a keyboard when searching for destinations and the dial pad for making phone calls when the vehicle is in park.

Siri Voice Control with Apple CarPlay is designed specifically for driving scenarios for calling, texting, and accessing other apps without the need to use your phone or the touchscreen.

Siri can read, reply to, and send text messages for you so that you never have to pick up your phone. You can tell Siri who you want to text and what the text will say and she will compose and send the message for you. You can also tell her where you want to go and a route will be calculated.

Apple CarPlay allows access to your music library and other supported apps like Spotify, Audible, MLB At Bat, and Waze.

Android Auto

Android Auto connects your phone to your vehicle and displays your compatible apps on the infotainment system in the vehicle. Android Auto makes it possible for drivers to manage basic phone functions hands-free via the touchscreen or voice commands.

Use a media friendly USB cord to connect your phone to the vehicle and be sure you have the Android Auto App downloaded. Once the phone is connected, follow the prompts and allow the system full access to your phone so that all of the features can perform properly.

Using the voice commands, you can access Google Assistant and request directions, make calls, and compose and send messages. With a voice command such as, “take me to Olive Garden,” Google Assistant will locate and get directions to the nearest Olive Garden and display turn-by-turn directions through your choice of navigation app.

Making calls and sending messages can all be accessed through voice command and Google Assistant will read messages aloud and use talk-to-text technology to compose and send your message. These features can also be accessed by simply saying, “Hey Google,” followed by a command.

Android Auto can also access and display entertainment related apps such as Audiobook apps like Audible and Google Play books and music apps like Spotify and Pandora.