Fighting for the car networking cake, Google is on the apple bar.

Following the seamless deployment of the iOS device and the car by the Carplay in-vehicle system released by Apple, Google also launched the Android car system Android Auto at the IO Developer Conference at the end of last month.

As the IT giants gradually extended their reach to mobile car products, the squid effect promoted the rapid development of the “Internet of Vehicles”. The leading figures Apple and Google took the lead in forming a tit-for-tat pattern in this cross-border battle. After the screen, TV screen and other fields, a new round of "entrance" beach battles was launched. For the user, it is estimated that the more concerned is whether the operation modes of the two vehicle platforms can meet their own usage habits? What are the similarities and differences between the two, what are the connections and differences? These factors are related to the future development trend of “Internet of Vehicles”.

Inconsistent, adopting the "mapping" method

Different from the traditional embedded car entertainment system, Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto adopt the “mapping” method. It needs to use a smart phone as the carrier to connect to the car through data cable, Bluetooth or WIFI. Projected into the car's display screen, you can use the phone's multimedia, navigation, SMS, social software and other functions through the car system, which means that the original car factory's own entertainment service function is replaced by CarPlay, Android Auto.

Xu Haonan, Marketing Director of Shenzhen Daxing Group, said: “The future trend of integration of mobile phones and in-vehicle systems is inevitable. Not only does traditional auto manufacturers save on expensive R&D costs, but users do not have to adapt to different in-vehicle systems frequently. It is not the best of both worlds. Methods."

The way is the same, but in some user experience, Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto form two very different styles. Through the live demonstration at the Google Developers Conference, we saw that when the Android smartphone is connected to the car, the phone will enter a similar "locked" state, leaving only the logo of the connected car on the screen, everything in the phone. They are all projected on the central control display, and the style is basically the same as the horizontal Android interface. Users can get a very consistent operation experience.

Unlike Google Android Auto, the Apple CarPlay interface has been redesigned. The designer stated that CarPlay has further streamlined the operator interface and strives to allow them to use the features on the iOS device with minimal impact on the driver's driving attention.

The reporter randomly interviewed some car owners' opinions. Many car owners said that they are not satisfied with the current car system. The user experience is not perfect and the price is high. The frequency of using the smartphone to navigate and listen to songs is often high. For the future realization of the seamless connection between mobile phones and cars, the interviewed car owners have expressed their expectations, and some people are worried that this function is only equipped in the middle and high-end models, and there is no blessing.

Timeless, the program can be updated in real time

With the rapid development of technology, it is difficult for traditional in-vehicle systems to keep up with the speed of upgrading smartphones and tablets. Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto, which are based on "smart phones", do not have this problem. Just like installing a “timeless brain” for a car, real-time updates can be made anytime and anywhere. Even if it is limited by the hardware level of the phone itself, the cost of purchasing a new phone is far less than that of replacing the car system. cost.

Google will also provide developers with Android Auto's SDK development tools to help developers better develop automotive-related applications, and open the A PI interface for audio and information. Currently, Apple does not have this consideration.

Brady, an engineer responsible for Android system development, said in an interview: "Opening a car program is not a simple matter, and with the Android Auto platform, you only need to develop an APK for Android phones or tablets. You can use the mapping link to make the original Closed on-board systems can now keep up with the ever-changing speed of the Internet."

Since iOS and Android entered the field of mobile devices, the debate on "who is better" by both fans has never stopped. IT enthusiast Xiao Lu said that the Apple system is running more smoothly than the Android system. Every day, there are a lot of excellent software in the APP Store, which builds an ecological environment covering developers, users and vendors.

However, some car owners believe that although the Android system has a wider coverage, as few as a few hundred to several thousand products can find it, but the advantage of "low threshold" may not be well reflected in the car, car function Pay more attention to the stability of the system and the fluency of the operation.

Strive for security and support voice control

Another core feature of Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto is "voice control". Siri and Google Now will shoulder this burden, minimizing the frequency of users using mobile phones or in-car displays, and completing commands with simple voice. Improve active safety in driving.

Both CarPlay and Android Auto support users to use map navigation and multimedia entertainment directly through voice services. When new information is delivered, the system will automatically broadcast the voice, and users can reply directly through voice.

Benefiting from the long-term accumulation in the search field and data analysis, Google Now also has a "push service". For example, if you want to find a place to eat near the company after work, it will "actively" suggest which new restaurants are nearby. Priority recommendation.

Conclusion

Cars are traditional industries. IT giants led by Apple and Google represent emerging technologies. What kind of sparks will emerge when the two collide? At least from the release of Apple's CallPlay and Google Android Auto, the new system completely subverts or even replaces the functions of the traditional in-vehicle system, or will bring a new experience to users.

Following the TV, computer monitors, and mobile phone tablets, the fourth screen "car display" is recognized as the main battlefield for future electronic innovation applications. With the popularity of automobiles, the time for users in the car is gradually increasing, and the car will be the next one. The breakthrough of the mobile Internet, the era of car networking is coming.