Among the advantages of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, in addition to access to applications known from the smartphone, we also have a simple and intuitive interface. Everything is presented in such a way as to involve the driver as little as possible. However, the same cannot be said for every infotainment system.
Users are not satisfied
In modern cars, we will find more and more extensive infotainment systems, which may make it difficult to operate the functions of the car. Added to this is the recent fashionable trend of pressing more and more options to the touch screen, while giving up physical buttons. It happens that some options require several clicks, which is downright absurd – the driver should primarily focus on the road, not looking for an option in a far too complicated interface.
Yes, we have quite well-designed systems on the market, such as BMW iDrive or Mercedes MBUX , but even in their case, I have the impression that they have recently lost their intuitiveness, and there are too many functions crammed into the touch screen. I’m not surprised that overall car owner satisfaction is declining, according to JD Power’s Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study.
According to a study quoted by The Verge, overall car owner satisfaction is 845 (on a 1,000-point scale), down 2 points from last year and 3 points from 2021. What is the reason for this? Among other things, contact with not necessarily well-designed infotainment systems.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are better choices
It turns out that for newer cars, 56% of owners use the built-in audio system, compared to 70% in 2020. What’s more, less than half of those surveyed said they enjoy using their car’s native controls at all for navigation, voice recognition or making phone calls.
The Verge points out here that most people choose to use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay when given the option . Both solutions, which have become really popular in recent years, simply provide users with applications known from smartphones and presented in a pleasant and simple interface.
Interestingly, drivers are much better at infotainment systems designed by Google – Android Automotive usually achieves better results than proprietary solutions of car manufacturers. However, one condition must be met. Well, Android Automotive must be equipped with a set of Google applications to get more points.
I admit that I also usually use Apple CarPlay, and I rummage in infotainment systems mainly when I just want to do thorough tests. However, if I do not test the car’s software, after setting the air conditioning and several functions, most of the time I see Waze navigation or the Spotify application on the main screen. Simply Apple CarPlay is a more convenient solution, as well as the one I am used to. I suspect Android smartphone users feel the same way about Android Auto.
