Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have in ways revolutionalised the in-car infotainment system interface on modern-day cars. While Android Auto clearly offered a lot of compatible options with the car's infotainment unit right from the start, Apple has taken its time to make CarPlay more accessible in terms of features. With the iOS 12 update, the tech giant has resolved a major concern with Apple CarPlay by making Google maps now accessible. With the update, users will no longer have be forced to use Apple Maps for navigation.
While Apple Maps has dramatically improved since it was first introduced, Google maps clearly has the edge when it comes to offering more accurate routes and locations in comparison. Google Maps utilises Google’s own traffic and mapping data, and also synchronise with your saved places.
Apart from Google maps, Apple CarPlay will also be compatible soon with an increasingly popular third-party navigation app - Waze, which is also owned by Google, along with Here maps. For those looking to use Google maps with Apple CarPlay, iPhone users will have to upgrade their devices to iOS 12 and Google maps version to 5.0 for the connection to work.
Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have turned out to be quite popular in India too with a host of manufacturers now offering the same, and not just on premium vehicles. The Maruti Suzuki Swift, Ignis, Baleno, Ciaz and S-Cross get both systems, while the feature is also offered on the Honda City, Jazz, Hyundai Creta, Jeep Compass, BMW 5 Series and even the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Mahindra has an exclusive tie-up with Google for Android Auto on its vehicles, and does not offer Apple CarPlay yet on its cars.
