SMARTPHONES are integral to our daily lives; therefore, it was only a matter of time before the devices made a significant impact on the automotive world as well. With the rapid and ongoing development of the Apple iOS and Android operation systems, vehicle manufacturers have had to face the fact that their proprietary infotainment systems are prehistoric by comparison. If motorists are accustomed to the slick touchscreen interfaces of their favourite smartphones, why would they settle for clunky interfaces in their vehicles?
Background
Vehicle infotainment systems have evolved from early examples and every brand has its own design, functionality and interface. First the “connected car” (a vehicle equipped with an integrated SIM) has offered functions that standard info-tainment systems can’t – most specifically, Internet browsing capability. Then there are smartphones that, thanks to their relatively short lifespans, have advanced so quickly that their capabilities have surpassed that of average cars’ on-board entertainment systems.
Yes, most car manufacturers provide basic connectivity between a motorist’s vehicle and their phone through Bluetooth, which allows users to make calls or stream music, but that doesn’t even scratch the surface of possibilities. The addition of larger and, in many cases, touch-sensitive screens has strengthened the case for car manufacturers to adopt phone technology for their onboard systems. As a result, the smartphone has become the computing power behind many infotainment system functions.
iOS or Android?
Are you old enough to remember the Betamax versus VHS debate? Well, the iOS and Android rivalry mirrors the great videotape format battle of the 1980s. Apple’s iOS and Android are the two leaders in phone software and automakers are trying to cater for both operating systems when providing a connection platform for smartphones in upcoming vehicles (although some risk providing only one or neither solution – see Manufacturers that have signed up on page 123).
Who’d risk losing a sale of a half-a-million-rand vehicle due to a prior purchase of a R3 000 phone? Both operating systems have developed their own automotive operating protocol. Let’s look at the two options.
Apple CarPlay
CarPlay launches when you connect your iPhone (5 or later model) to your vehicle via the USB prong of the lightning connector cable, which is supplied with the phone. This is not only the fastest way to transfer data seamlessly to the vehicle’s infotainment screen, but it charges the iPhone’s battery at the same time.
Doing this also locks your phone; you can only use its functions and apps through the vehicle’s on-board interface – in other words, via buttons and/or the touchscreen interface. It is also a safety feature, because it eliminates the possibility of being distracted by your phone while you’re driving.
On the infotainment screen, a four-by-two row of icons appear, with the same look and feel as on the iPhone. The Apple home button is also at the bottom left of the screen. You will now have access to:
• Phone – making and receiving calls, accessing phonebook entries, dialled and received numbers, etc.;
• Maps – full satellite-navigation functionality with turn-by-turn instructions;
• Messages – with the help of Apple’s Siri assistant, voice-to-text or text-to-voice functionality is available on all messaging platforms. Therefore, you can safely send and receive messages on the go without needing to take your hands off the wheel;
• Music – you can listen to your favourite music list on your phone or use approved Internet radio apps to stream music and even listen to podcasts.
Android Auto
Google is another innovative company that does not rest on its laurels; it launched Android Auto as opposition to the iOS system. It essentially offers the same functionality as CarPlay and is launched in-car by connecting your Android phone to the vehicle via USB (again the phone will be locked to improve vehicle safety). Only five permanent short-cut keys appear on your vehicle’s infotainment screen: navigation, phone, information, music and vehicle diagnostic information (when supported).
You click or tap on any of the aforementioned icons to display the approved apps that are installed on your phone per category. It will give instant access to:
• Phone – making and receiving calls, phonebook entries, dialled and received numbers, etc.;
• Maps – full satellite-navigation function-ality with turn-by-turn instructions. The Android version is powered by information from Google Maps;
• Messages – Google also provides text-to-voice and voice-to-text functionality with the familiar speech icon in the top right corner of the screen;
• Music – you can listen to your favourite music list on your phone or use approved Internet radio apps to stream music. You can also listen to podcasts;
• Diagnostic information – this is not yet supported by any vehicle manufacturer, but could, in future, analyse any present fault codes in the vehicle.
The local obstacles
Although Apple CarPlay and Android Auto sound like ideal solutions to integrate your phone with your vehicle, there are a few obstacles. To have full, seamless operational functionality, both systems require your phone to have an Internet connection. This is not always possible while driving and can be frustrating.
Of course, the other big issue is costly data usage. Today’s smartphones are data hungry and allowing your car’s infotainment system to be powered by your phone will mean a spike in your phone bill.
Is it the future then? Not quite. But it’s definitely a step in the right direction. In the meanwhile, however, we predict most people will still use the native infotainment systems in their vehicles.
SMARTPHONE APPS AND YOUR CAR
There are a multitude of automotive apps available on the iOS and Android platforms. Many are free, while others can be purchased and downloaded for a small fee. It is wise to do some research on an application to ensure that it meets your requirements before you load it on your device. Examples include:
DIAGNOSTIC FAULT-FINDING: this, in conjunction with a Bluetooth dongle connected to your vehicle’s on-board diagnostic port, will allow you to read fault codes, reset the engine check lamp and even monitor live data on the vehicle’s CAN bus like mass air ow, throttle percentage, manifold pressure, etc. Examples of apps: Torque Pro (Android) and OBD Car Doctor (Android and iOS).
TRACK DAY TOOL: these apps use your phone’s GPS capability (and even the accelerometers in the iPhone) to analyse your track day experience. This includes lap times, vehicle-speed-over-distance traces, and lateral and longitudinal acceleration, among other things. Apps: Trackmaster (Android) and Track Day (iOS).
LOGBOOK: keeps track of a vehicle’s mileage, fuel consumption and servicing intervals. Apps: Car Logbook (Android and Car Minder Plus (iOS).
VEHICLE FINDER: you’ll never forget where your vehicle is parked again. These apps will guide you back to your vehicle via GPS functionality. Apps: MyCar Locator (Android) and Honk (iOS).
INTERNET RADIO: listen to your favourite radio station anywhere in the world. Apps: Spotify Radio (Android and iOS) and Umano (Android and iOS).
DASH-CAM FUNCTIONALITY: convert your smartphone to a dashboard mounted camera for insurance purposes: Apps: Witness driving (Android and iOS) and AutoGuard (Android).
