I'm not sure what to think. Right now my car is running an aftermarket Android-based head unit with support for wireless Android Auto.
Basically, it identifies itself as a tablet, and has an app that automatically connects to my phone wirelessly if it sees it.
I've installed OsmAnd and Aurora store on the head unit itself, as well
as downloaded local maps, but I still end up using the app installed on
my phone by default, just because it's right there next to the music
player when I'm driving.
A friend of mine offered to sell me a unit running Linux instead, but
that one doesn't support wireless connection (wired AA connection
only), which is a huge downside for me personally. Not to mention
additional effort needed to replace the unit, as well as other stuff
that unit is missing (car specific integration to replace the missing buttons from the original unit that came with the car).
On one hand, I find it annoying that I basically have duplicate apps on
the unit itself, but at the same time, I am glad that, if needed, I can
use maps without having to have my phone with me, charged and connected
to my god damn car. I have considered restoring the original unit, but
in the end, I just KNOW I will miss the map display that's right there.
Recently I started hating my smartphone more and more, so if and when
they take this flow away and replace it with something more awkward, or
not as functional, might just be the time I just go "screw everything"
and go back to using a dumb phone, mandatory banking app be damned.
Nick wrote
I'm not sure what to think. Right now my car is running an aftermarket
Android-based head unit with support for wireless Android Auto.
Basically, it identifies itself as a tablet, and has an app that
automatically connects to my phone wirelessly if it sees it.
I've installed OsmAnd and Aurora store on the head unit itself, as
well as downloaded local maps, but I still end up using the app
installed on my phone by default, just because it's right there next to
the music player when I'm driving.
A friend of mine offered to sell me a unit running Linux instead, but
that one doesn't support wireless connection (wired AA connection
only), which is a huge downside for me personally. Not to mention
additional effort needed to replace the unit, as well as other stuff
that unit is missing (car specific integration to replace the missing
buttons from the original unit that came with the car).
On one hand, I find it annoying that I basically have duplicate apps
on the unit itself, but at the same time, I am glad that, if needed, I
can use maps without having to have my phone with me, charged and
connected to my god damn car. I have considered restoring the original
unit, but in the end, I just KNOW I will miss the map display that's
right there.
Recently I started hating my smartphone more and more, so if and when
they take this flow away and replace it with something more awkward, or
not as functional, might just be the time I just go "screw everything"
and go back to using a dumb phone, mandatory banking app be damned.
I've never had any mobile phone, my car is 30 years old so has ye olde radio-cassette player single-DIN box behind the gear stick, and I either use a paper map book that stays in the car or more rarely print out a Google / Apple Maps page before I leave home to go somewhere new.
There's no actual need for all this fancy electronic gimmickry - it's simply extra expense aimed at the lazy-more-money-than-sense brigade
and something else that can go wrong. As for satnav guidance, including Google Maps directions, they give such idiotic instructions (even worse with stupid AI) that they certainly aren't worth the money.
Note this sentence about Google's standalone car operating system:
Ironically, that alternative is being built around Android Automotive
(not Android Auto), Google's standalone car operating system.
Rather than simply mirroring your phone apps, Android Automotive
runs apps directly on the car itself. You won't need to connect a
smartphone at all.
Your Name <YourName@yourisp.com> wrote
Nick wrote
I'm not sure what to think. Right now my car is running an aftermarket >> Android-based head unit with support for wireless Android Auto.
Basically, it identifies itself as a tablet, and has an app that
automatically connects to my phone wirelessly if it sees it.
I've installed OsmAnd and Aurora store on the head unit itself, as
well as downloaded local maps, but I still end up using the app
installed on my phone by default, just because it's right there next to >> the music player when I'm driving.
A friend of mine offered to sell me a unit running Linux instead, but >> that one doesn't support wireless connection (wired AA connection
only), which is a huge downside for me personally. Not to mention
additional effort needed to replace the unit, as well as other stuff
that unit is missing (car specific integration to replace the missing
buttons from the original unit that came with the car).
On one hand, I find it annoying that I basically have duplicate apps
on the unit itself, but at the same time, I am glad that, if needed, I >> can use maps without having to have my phone with me, charged and
connected to my god damn car. I have considered restoring the original >> unit, but in the end, I just KNOW I will miss the map display that's
right there.
Recently I started hating my smartphone more and more, so if and when >> they take this flow away and replace it with something more awkward, or >> not as functional, might just be the time I just go "screw everything" >> and go back to using a dumb phone, mandatory banking app be damned.
I've never had any mobile phone, my car is 30 years old so has ye olde radio-cassette player single-DIN box behind the gear stick, and I either use a paper map book that stays in the car or more rarely print out a Google / Apple Maps page before I leave home to go somewhere new.
Wota fucking dinosaur
There's no actual need for all this fancy electronic gimmickry - it's simply extra expense aimed at the lazy-more-money-than-sense brigade
and something else that can go wrong. As for satnav guidance, including Google Maps directions, they give such idiotic instructions (even worse with stupid AI) that they certainly aren't worth the money.
Completely off with the fucking fairies
Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
Note this sentence about Google's standalone car operating system:
Ironically, that alternative is being built around Android Automotive
(not Android Auto), Google's standalone car operating system.
Rather than simply mirroring your phone apps, Android Automotive
runs apps directly on the car itself. You won't need to connect a
smartphone at all.
Worst idea ever. Car manufacturers are very bad at supporting tech long
term. This matters critically for cars as they last much longer than other devices. Even a 7 year support cycle is inadequate. Our eight year old car has not had GPS map updates for several years.
This is simply marketing to ensure people upgrade their cars more often.
On 14/09/2026 08:12, Chris wrote:
Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
Note this sentence about Google's standalone car operating system:
Ironically, that alternative is being built around Android Automotive
(not Android Auto), Google's standalone car operating system.
Rather than simply mirroring your phone apps, Android Automotive
runs apps directly on the car itself. You won't need to connect a
smartphone at all.
Worst idea ever. Car manufacturers are very bad at supporting tech long
term. This matters critically for cars as they last much longer than other >> devices. Even a 7 year support cycle is inadequate. Our eight year old car >> has not had GPS map updates for several years.
Because you have to pay for them.
I haven't updated mine either, but
that's because Garmin ar stupid enough to only allow updating via a
*.exe, or Apple equivalent. Fortunately I don't need it these days, and
if I had to I'd just use OSM or Streetmap.
This is simply marketing to ensure people upgrade their cars more often.
I doubt that the manufacturers update the car's computer system
unless
there's a legal issue that they could be sued for if an accident
occurred. Honda don't appear to update anything, as the issues I
reported at the first service 9 years ago are still apparent.
On 14/09/2026 08:12, Chris wrote:
Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
Note this sentence about Google's standalone car operating system:
ÿÿÿ Ironically, that alternative is being built around Android
Automotive
ÿÿÿ (not Android Auto), Google's standalone car operating system.
ÿÿÿ Rather than simply mirroring your phone apps, Android Automotive
ÿÿÿ runs apps directly on the car itself. You won't need to connect a
ÿÿÿ smartphone at all.
Worst idea ever. Car manufacturers are very bad at supporting tech long
term. This matters critically for cars as they last much longer than
other
devices. Even a 7 year support cycle is inadequate. Our eight year old
car
has not had GPS map updates for several years.
Because you have to pay for them.
I haven't updated mine either, but
that's because Garmin ar stupid enough to only allow updating via a
*.exe, or Apple equivalent. Fortunately I don't need it these days, and
if I had to I'd just use OSM or Streetmap.
Note mention of Google's standalone car operating system...
I don't use carplay/androidauto as I maintain my vehicles myself, so
they're much older than most people can afford to maintain vehicles.
But this story about manufacturers ditching carplay & android auto
is interesting if it's a trend toward the future in general, or not.
However, the story below could just be clickbait for low-news time frames. Or, it may portend a trend... dunno...
Do you use CarPlayAndroidAuto?
Is the story reasonable?
Car manufacturers are ditching CarPlay in 2026: Here's why
<https://www.engadget.com/2252850/why-car-manufacturers-ditching-carplay-explained/>
"Apple CarPlay has given drivers a great alternative to clunky
car infotainment systems for over a decade. It has a simple premise:
connect your iPhone and use the apps you already know. Like Android
Auto, CarPlay is a service that vehicle manufacturers have adopted in
great numbers and with relative enthusiasm -at least, until lately.
General Motors, for instance, has been removing CarPlay from its EVs
and plans to phase it out completely. Tesla and Rivian have never
offered support for it...
General Motors is the one making the biggest pivot with CarPlay so far.
It's already begun the process by removing CarPlay and rival Android
Auto support from its newest electric models, including the Chevrolet
Blazer EV. It's also expected to begin removing support from gas-powered
cars once its own centralized computing platform is released...
Note this sentence about Google's standalone car operating system:
Ironically, that alternative is being built around Android Automotive
(not Android Auto), Google's standalone car operating system.
Rather than simply mirroring your phone apps, Android Automotive
runs apps directly on the car itself. You won't need to connect a
smartphone at all.
On 2026-09-14 13:33, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 14/09/2026 08:12, Chris wrote:
Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
Note this sentence about Google's standalone car operating system:
ÿÿÿ Ironically, that alternative is being built around Android
Automotive
ÿÿÿ (not Android Auto), Google's standalone car operating system.
ÿÿÿ Rather than simply mirroring your phone apps, Android Automotive
ÿÿÿ runs apps directly on the car itself. You won't need to connect a >>>> ÿÿÿ smartphone at all.
Worst idea ever. Car manufacturers are very bad at supporting tech long
term. This matters critically for cars as they last much longer than
other
devices. Even a 7 year support cycle is inadequate. Our eight year old
car
has not had GPS map updates for several years.
Because you have to pay for them.
An quite expensive. And need a visit to the garage, which happens once a year.
On 14/09/2026 08:12, Chris wrote:
Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
Note this sentence about Google's standalone car operating system:
Ironically, that alternative is being built around Android Automotive
(not Android Auto), Google's standalone car operating system.
Rather than simply mirroring your phone apps, Android Automotive
runs apps directly on the car itself. You won't need to connect a
smartphone at all.
Worst idea ever. Car manufacturers are very bad at supporting tech long
term. This matters critically for cars as they last much longer than other >> devices. Even a 7 year support cycle is inadequate. Our eight year old car >> has not had GPS map updates for several years.
Because you have to pay for them. I haven't updated mine either, but
that's because Garmin ar stupid enough to only allow updating via a
*.exe, or Apple equivalent. Fortunately I don't need it these days, and
if I had to I'd just use OSM or Streetmap.
This is simply marketing to ensure people upgrade their cars more often.
I doubt that the manufacturers update the car's computer system unless there's a legal issue that they could be sued for if an accident
occurred. Honda don't appear to update anything, as the issues I
reported at the first service 9 years ago are still apparent.
Carlos E.R. wrote:
I have been hearing rumours for some years, this or that car company ditching support. Nothing definite.
GM seem fairly determined to drop both CarPlay and AndroidAuto, I think they're crazy as screen mirroring is the best thing that's happened to
car navigation/entertainment systems for decades ...
On 14/09/2026 22:04, Carlos E.R. wrote:
On 2026-09-14 13:33, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 14/09/2026 08:12, Chris wrote:
Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
Note this sentence about Google's standalone car operating system:
ÿÿÿÿ Ironically, that alternative is being built around Android
Automotive
ÿÿÿÿ (not Android Auto), Google's standalone car operating system.
ÿÿÿÿ Rather than simply mirroring your phone apps, Android Automotive >>>>> ÿÿÿÿ runs apps directly on the car itself. You won't need to connect a >>>>> ÿÿÿÿ smartphone at all.
Worst idea ever. Car manufacturers are very bad at supporting tech long >>>> term. This matters critically for cars as they last much longer than
other
devices. Even a 7 year support cycle is inadequate. Our eight year old >>>> car
has not had GPS map updates for several years.
Because you have to pay for them.
An quite expensive. And need a visit to the garage, which happens once a
year.
From what I remember, you plugged a clean usb memory stick into the
car's usb socket, and downloaded some code from the satnav. You then downloaded the satnav update *.exe from Garmin
onto the same stick, then
ran it. It read the code and that allowed a file to be produced which
could be uploaded into the satnav to update it. The problem was that the *.exe had to be run to get it all to work. Not much use if your OS is
Linux! I think I read somewhere that it wouldn't work with Wine, either.
In comp.mobile.android Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:
Carlos E.R. wrote:
I have been hearing rumours for some years, this or that car company
ditching support. Nothing definite.
GM seem fairly determined to drop both CarPlay and AndroidAuto, I think
they're crazy as screen mirroring is the best thing that's happened to
car navigation/entertainment systems for decades ...
It's a power play by GM. They want to 'own the glass' (to quote an advertising exec) so they have access to all your juicy data that they can sell on to advertisers. You're the product, not the customer. Of course, what they don't seem to understand is how much CP/AA are a dealbreaker for buyers - those buyers are lost to GM.
On 2026-09-14 23:23, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 14/09/2026 22:04, Carlos E.R. wrote:
On 2026-09-14 13:33, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 14/09/2026 08:12, Chris wrote:
Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
Note this sentence about Google's standalone car operating system: >>>>>>
???? Ironically, that alternative is being built around Android
Automotive
???? (not Android Auto), Google's standalone car operating system. >>>>>> ???? Rather than simply mirroring your phone apps, Android Automotive >>>>>> ???? runs apps directly on the car itself. You won't need to connect a >>>>>> ???? smartphone at all.
Worst idea ever. Car manufacturers are very bad at supporting tech long >>>>> term. This matters critically for cars as they last much longer than >>>>> other
devices. Even a 7 year support cycle is inadequate. Our eight year old >>>>> car
has not had GPS map updates for several years.
Because you have to pay for them.
An quite expensive. And need a visit to the garage, which happens once a >>> year.
From what I remember, you plugged a clean usb memory stick into the
car's usb socket, and downloaded some code from the satnav. You then
downloaded the satnav update *.exe from Garmin
Can't do.No Windows here.
onto the same stick, then ran it. It read the code and that allowed a
file to be produced which could be uploaded into the satnav to update
it. The problem was that the *.exe had to be run to get it all to work.
Not much use if your OS is Linux! I think I read somewhere that it
wouldn't work with Wine, either.
Sigh :-/
Carlos E.R. wrote:
I have been hearing rumours for some years, this or that car company
ditching support. Nothing definite.
GM seem fairly determined to drop both CarPlay and AndroidAuto, I think they're crazy as screen mirroring is the best thing that's happened to
car navigation/entertainment systems for decades ...
On 2026-09-15 11:52:28 +0000, Carlos E. R. said:
On 2026-09-14 23:23, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 14/09/2026 22:04, Carlos E.R. wrote:
On 2026-09-14 13:33, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 14/09/2026 08:12, Chris wrote:
Maria Sophia <mariasophia@comprehension.com> wrote:
Note this sentence about Google's standalone car operating system: >>>>>>>
ÿÿÿÿ Ironically, that alternative is being built around Android
Automotive
ÿÿÿÿ (not Android Auto), Google's standalone car operating system. >>>>>>> ÿÿÿÿ Rather than simply mirroring your phone apps, Android
Automotive
ÿÿÿÿ runs apps directly on the car itself. You won't need to
connect a
ÿÿÿÿ smartphone at all.
Worst idea ever. Car manufacturers are very bad at supporting tech >>>>>> long
term. This matters critically for cars as they last much longer than >>>>>> other
devices. Even a 7 year support cycle is inadequate. Our eight year >>>>>> old
car
has not had GPS map updates for several years.
Because you have to pay for them.
An quite expensive. And need a visit to the garage, which happens
once a
year.
From what I remember, you plugged a clean usb memory stick into the
car's usb socket, and downloaded some code from the satnav. You then
downloaded the satnav update *.exe from Garmin
Can't do.No Windows here.
Just go to the nearest car mechanic. They'll be running Windoze for all their diagnostic software.
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