All posts tagged: Auto

5 reasons I’m using Android Auto instead of my car’s own infotainment system – and can’t go back

5 reasons I’m using Android Auto instead of my car’s own infotainment system – and can’t go back

Published by skeptic

Artie Beaty/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google ZDNET’s key takeaways Android Auto has several advantages over your car’s own system. Not only does it update often, but it has access to far more apps. It also makes setup far easier if you’re switching between cars. In-car infotainment screens are getting bigger than ever, and most modern vehicles have the equivalent of a tablet built into the dashboard. While some manufacturers’ systems run on Android Automotive, or what’s called “Google built-in,” most have their own software specific to that automaker. The majority of that built-in software is walled off and limited. Also: I’ve used Android Auto with Gemini for 2 months now – it’s transformed my drives in 4 ways Android Automotive is a robust software platform that takes advantage of the Android ecosystem and functions much like (or even better than) Android Auto. If your car runs on Android Automotive, there’s not a lot to gain by switching to Android Auto. But if you’re using one of the other built-in systems, …

6 Android Auto apps I wish I discovered sooner, because they make driving much easier

6 Android Auto apps I wish I discovered sooner, because they make driving much easier

Published by skeptic

Artie Beaty/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Android Auto’s real value lies in apps beyond the default. These apps will entertain you, help you, and keep you safe. All you need is to have the app on your phone. If you use Android Auto to navigate or control your in-car media, you’ll know it’s an incredibly useful app. But if that’s all you use the software for, you’re missing out on a ton of functionality.  Hundreds of apps are Android Auto-compatible. While these apps don’t necessarily do anything different on your car’s screen than they do on your phone, using the car-enabled version is significantly less distracting. These apps will also make your life significantly easier. You don’t need to do anything special to use these apps on Android Auto. Just download them onto your phone and connect. Also: My 4 favorite Android Auto settings are seriously useful – but hidden by default Here’s a look at six Android Auto apps you should have if you don’t already. 1. Fuelio …

Most drivers overlook these 6 Android Auto apps – but off-roaders definitely shouldn’t

Most drivers overlook these 6 Android Auto apps – but off-roaders definitely shouldn’t

Published by skeptic

Artie Beaty/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Android Auto now goes beyond roads, helping you explore outdoors. Most of these apps offer offline use. Some off-road vehicles already have Android Auto built in. Android Auto is a fantastic companion for your daily drive, but it can be surprisingly useful other times, too – like long road trips. And thanks to a recent rise in developer support, it’s even expanding beyond roadways. There’s a growing catalog of Android Auto apps designed to help you navigate and explore outdoors. Whether you’re driving across the country in an RV, heading to national parks for some camping, driving off-road vehicles in a remote area, or just spending some time outside, Android Auto can help. Also: 6 Android Auto apps I wish I found sooner, because they make every drive easier Some of these apps are designed for RVs, others for 4-wheel vehicles, and others for off-road vehicles like ATVs. For the first two, most vehicles today have built-in screens. For the latter, a …

These Gemini commands made Android Auto much better in my car

These Gemini commands made Android Auto much better in my car

Published by skeptic

Gemini is everywhere, and it’s the replacement for Google Assistant — whether we’re ready for it or not. Android Auto users are seeing Gemini replace Assistant, and there’s no Google platform where a hands-free digital voice assistant. It’s important that we touch our car’s infotainment screen as little as possible, keeping our hands on the wheel and our eyes on the road. With Google Assistant, that wasn’t always possible. The outgoing voice helper’s inability to consistently complete multi-step or poorly-worded requests made it a subpar solution for your car. There’s no doubt that Gemini is a work-in-progress feature, and in some ways, it fails to match the capabilities of Google Assistant. However, there’s also a lot that Gemini does better than Assistant. People often miss out on Gemini’s best features because they don’t ask the right questions or make the correct commands. These are the commands I use to make Gemini shine in Android Auto, and my driving experience is better for it. Related I tried the redesigned Android Auto interface and it’s actually good …

Use Android Auto? Don’t make these 5 common mistakes that can hinder your ride

Use Android Auto? Don’t make these 5 common mistakes that can hinder your ride

Published by skeptic

Artie Beaty/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Users make several common mistakes with Android Auto. These mistakes can trigger technical issues or cause you to miss features. Some mistakes concern phone settings, others involve cables.  Android Auto can make your drive less boring, more efficient, and even safer, but only if you’re using it the right way. After spending several months getting very acquainted with Android Auto and discovering a number of new ways to use it, I’ve started noticing other drivers make the same mistakes I used to make.  Also: 4 Android Auto developer settings that make driving so much easier – how to enable them Chances are, you’re making at least one of these mistakes without realizing it. Not only could you be missing out on the software’s full capability, but you might also be causing issues that make Android Auto unusable.  How to handle these 5 common mistakes Here’s a look at some of the most common mistakes I see other drivers make with Android …

Android Auto is way more customizable than you might realize – 6 tricks to try ASAP

Android Auto is way more customizable than you might realize – 6 tricks to try ASAP

Published by skeptic

Artie Beaty/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways You can change Android Auto for a custom experience. The apps, interface, and operation can be changed. Modifications are easy to find and only take a minute. Android Auto is one of the easiest ways to make your car smarter, but you might not realize the platform offers customization options to make it your own. Whether it’s the system’s appearance, changes to how it operates, or the notifications it sends, you can fine-tune Android Auto to your specific needs in several ways, making it even more useful. Also: 6 Android Auto apps I wish I found sooner, because they make every drive easier Here’s a look at seven ways you can customize Android Auto. Some of these options are in your phone’s settings app, some are in the Android Auto app settings, and some are hidden behind developer mode, but they’re all easy to find and only take a minute to change. 1. Customize your app launcher Tired of seeing apps you never …

5 reasons I’m using Android Auto instead of my car’s own infotainment system – and can’t go back

5 ways Android Auto beats your car’s own infotainment system – hands down

Published by skeptic

Artie Beaty/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google ZDNET’s key takeaways Android Auto has several advantages over your car’s own system. Not only does it update often, but it has access to far more apps. It also makes setup far easier if you’re switching between cars. In-car infotainment screens are getting bigger than ever, and most modern vehicles have the equivalent of a tablet built into the dashboard. While some manufacturers’ systems run on Android Automotive, or what’s called “Google built-in,” most have their own software specific to that automaker. The majority of that built-in software is walled off and limited. Also: I’ve used Android Auto with Gemini for 2 months now – it’s transformed my drives in 4 ways Android Automotive is a robust software platform that takes advantage of the Android ecosystem and functions much like (or even better than) Android Auto. If your car runs on Android Automotive, there’s not a lot to gain by switching to Android Auto. But if you’re using one of the other built-in systems, …

I turned my Android Auto setup into a gaming hub with 4 free apps – and don’t regret it

I turned my Android Auto setup into a gaming hub with 4 free apps – and don’t regret it

Published by skeptic

Artie Beaty/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Several mobile games are compatible with Android Auto. The games all have simple touch-screen controls. These are slow-paced, short-burst games.  If you spend downtime in your car waiting for school pickup or during a lunch break, there’s a good chance you pass the time with mobile games. Here’s what you probably didn’t know: You could be playing some of those games on your car’s screen instead. A handful of popular mobile games are compatible with Android Auto, meaning you can play them in your car.   Also: 4 Android Auto developer settings that make driving so much easier – how to enable them You might have browsed your Android Auto apps and already seen the Gamesnacks app, which hosts several dozen light games that are not unlike early internet flash games. However, these games are more robust; they’re the same games you’d play on your phone, just on a bigger screen. The catalog of Android Auto-compatible games isn’t huge, but …

These 3 buried Android Auto settings stopped my phone from cutting out in the car

These 3 buried Android Auto settings stopped my phone from cutting out in the car

Published by skeptic

Driving through a tunnel or under a lot of trees should not turn your car’s dashboard into a strobe light. When your dashboard system constantly flickers between light and dark modes, it becomes an active distraction that pulls your attention away from the road. This is just one of many ways Android Auto fails when it tries to be too smart for its own good. By letting the car and phone fight over sensor data, resolution, and wireless signals, you get a system that stutters or disconnects at the worst possible moments. You can take back control with a few tweaks in some hidden menus you can tweak. Related I fixed my Android Auto lag and the cause was embarrassingly simple I spent months blaming my car for Android Auto lag — it was my USB cable, and you’re probably making the same mistake. Pick a mode and stick to it Day or night mode, not in between By default, Android Auto lets your car decide whether to show light or dark mode, based on …

I turned my Android Auto setup into a gaming hub with 4 free apps – and don’t regret it

You can play Angry Birds on Android Auto, plus 4 more popular games – here’s how

Published by skeptic

Artie Beaty/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Several mobile games are compatible with Android Auto. The games all have simple touch-screen controls. These are slow-paced, short-burst games.  If you spend downtime in your car waiting for school pickup or during a lunch break, there’s a good chance you pass the time with mobile games. Here’s what you probably didn’t know: You could be playing some of those games on your car’s screen instead. A handful of popular mobile games are compatible with Android Auto, meaning you can play them in your car.   Also: 4 Android Auto developer settings that make driving so much easier – how to enable them You might have browsed your Android Auto apps and already seen the Gamesnacks app, which hosts several dozen light games that are not unlike early internet flash games. However, these games are more robust; they’re the same games you’d play on your phone, just on a bigger screen. The catalog of Android Auto-compatible games isn’t huge, but …