Apple CarPlay possesses features that streamline the process of getting your phone’s applications and functionalities onto your vehicle’s integrated infotainment screen. As a result, you can smoothly access turn-by-turn directions, music streaming platforms, weather updates, and much more directly from your phone on your car’s display. Both platforms are also quite robust and regularly receive updates with new features.
Nonetheless, there are aspects where one outshines the other. For instance, Android Auto boasts a broader array of applications and a more advanced voice assistant, which will enhance further with Gemini AI integration in your vehicle. It also permits users to play select HTML5 games when the car is stationary – a capability not available natively on CarPlay. Likewise, there are certain areas where Apple CarPlay shines, and Android Auto could gain from adopting similar features. Hence, here are the top three enhancements we believe Google should consider implementing in Android Auto promptly to improve the in-car experience.
One of the most significant new functionalities arriving in Apple CarPlay with iOS 26 is the introduction of customizable widgets, which further improves the already superior CarPlay Dashboard experience for iPhone users. This capability enables iPhone users to incorporate widgets from nearly any iPhone application and receive glanceable updates directly on the CarPlay Dashboard, showcasing calendar events, music management, smart home controls, and weather data. Depending on the dimensions and shape of the infotainment screen, you can present one or two widget stacks containing up to five widgets each.
Android Auto desperately requires this feature to elevate its dashboard experience. Currently, the data available on its dashboard is restricted to just navigation and
