Android Auto

[rf065]

What does this do?
I've attached phone to USB port, I can ask it for weather & using phones location it will speak to me with the areas weather forecast. I can ask it to play music on the phone, which it does through the car system.
What else can it do? Doesn't anything appear on the screen on the dash?
Is there anything I'm missing here?

Russ

 

[KillerHERTZ]

It's a dedicated app which simplifies things via large user interface. Very useful I find.

 

[markjay]

My understanding is that in future all cars will be compatible with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, so that once your phone is connected to the car (via USB cable) the Apple Car Play or Android Auto app will appear on the car's infotainment system screen.

It is fully voice-controlled via Siri or OK Google.

This will allow safe use off approved apps off your mobile phone.

If it does catch on, it will replace over time the manufacturers' propriety systems (COMAND, iDrive, etc).

 

[rf065]

once your phone is connected to the car (via USB cable) the Apple Car Play or Android Auto app will appear on the car's infotainment system screen.

Nothing appears on my screen though, that's why I feel I'm missing something?

Russ

 

[markjay]

Nothing appears on my screen though, that's why I feel I'm missing something?

Russ

Apple Car Play support is available on some MB models from MY 2017, and on all models from MY 2018.

Not sure when Android Auto support will become available.

(Been to a Mercedes dealer in Boston MA last week and that's what they told me there)

 

[400ixl]

Unless you have a supporting head unit then nothing will appear on anything other than your phone screen.

Different manufacturers are backing different products, some both. So as usual its hit and miss as to what you can get when without changing brands.

 

[b1g1an]

..and obviously Android Auto will also run in standalone mode so you can get most of the functionality directly on your phone screen without a compatible headunit.

I use it all the time as it means I can actually read the messages that pop up on screen

 

[rf065]

Apple Car Play support is available on some MB models from MY 2017, and on all models from MY 2018.

Not sure when Android Auto support will become available.

(Been to a Mercedes dealer in Boston MA last week and that's what they told me there)

That makes sense now, although I can speak to the phone through google in the car & play music from the phone, on checking the menu system only Apple Car Play is given as an option, despite being told when i bought it that Android Auto was included.

I wonder if a simple software update will be available in the future as it sort of works up to a point already?

Russ