Your car, once a sacred space devoid of screens, has been infiltrated by in-car entertainment systems over the years. Apple and Google can't be far behind where there's a screen.
With CarPlay and Android Auto, the two tech behemoths have played critical roles in popularising cars that keep drivers connected.
CarPlay and Google's Android Auto are similar but not identical.
The hardware landscapes
Android Auto and CarPlay are based on their respective mothership operating systems, Android and iOS. Android Auto is designed for Android phones, whereas CarPlay is designed for the Apple ecosystem. All you need is a car infotainment system that supports Android Auto or CarPlay.
Ease of use
Both systems have advanced significantly over the years. Google will soon add a split-screen feature to Android Auto, which will include an always-on navigation system, as Apple has done for years. The CarPlay user interface is similar to the iPhone and is easier to use than Android Auto. Android Auto has come a long way, but it still lags behind CarPlay in terms of usability. Apple excels at seamlessly integrating hardware and software. So, until Android Auto receives a new update, CarPlay appears to have an advantage.
Navigation
Google Maps is way ahead of Apple Maps in this category. Apple Maps includes the option of using Google Maps as the navigation app, whereas Google Maps is the primary navigation system for Android Auto. The difference, however, is in the details. Swiping the screen to move around the map is not supported by Apple. To move the map, they must tap on navigation arrows on the screen, which is both dangerous and inconvenient.