We tried Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—here’s how they work

In-car infotainment systems—the interfaces that tell you the name of the song on the radio or insist you make a U-Turn—are inadequate. They’re often too complicated to operate while driving and, worse, out-of-date by the time the car actually finds a home in your garage.

In recent years, though, a handful of car companies have caved, letting third-party apps integrate with (or instead of) the car’s standard interface.

Today’s top contenders are Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto. Each is a stripped-down version of your phone’s system that runs on your car’s computer interface. They allow drivers and passengers to control music, navigate, and communicate by way of voice commands and the car’s manual controls.

In theory, better apps mean safer driving; if you don’t need to access your phone, you can better focus on driving. But how do the systems stack up when you actually hit the road? Popular Science tested Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in matching 2017 Mercedes Benz E-Class sedans as part of Amazon’s Grand Tour Navigation Challenge. Here’s what we learned.

READ MORE AT: https://www.popsci.com/apple-carplay-vs-android-auto