Since the automakers have been offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in-vehicle infotainment systems, the market is experiencing a shakeup. Smartphone uses are very satisfied with the systems until problems occur with integration reports Strategy Analytics.
The user experience of CarPlay and Android Auto compare very favorably to embedded offerings, though integration issues with the embedded infotainment system can negatively impact the overall user experience, noted the company.
A new report from the In-Vehicle UX (IVX) group at Strategy Analytics, “Consumers Largely Satisfied with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto“, h surveyed new vehicle owners that have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to understand their in-vehicle usage and satisfaction with these features. Overall, consumers that have mirroring solutions are largely satisfied, and use them for the majority of their infotainment needs.
Surveying consumers in the US, Strategy Analytics has found that CarPlay and Android Auto are preferred for duplicate features:
- CarPlay is easy to use given its similarity to an Apple smartphone’s interface; and
- Both CarPlay and Android Auto have relatively simple and consistent interfaces.
- Most importantly, both have the ability to be updated as needed, as new apps are added or when bugs and usability issues are uncovered. This will only work to enhance their value as embedded systems age.
“Overall, consumers are satisfied with CarPlay and Android Auto and are happy to recommend it to others. However, consumer-facing embedded navigation could become obsolete for those OEMs implementing smartphone mirroring solutions, as those solutions provide a better experience.” said Chris Schreiner, Director of Syndicated Research and report author commented
Continued Schreiner, “Smaller OEMs could focus on CarPlay and Android Auto as their connectivity strategy greatly simplifies development while at the same time enhancing the user experience.”
“OEMs that do not adopt smartphone mirroring solutions will have to provide over-the-air software updates to continually enhance features and fix usability issues, in addition to developing value-added features that tie in with the rest of the vehicle to differentiate themselves from CarPlay and Android Auto. But, the time will come when OEMs must decide whether to implement embedded systems or use mirroring solutions. From our research experience, providing both will not produce optimal results.” said Kevin Nolan, VP, User Experience Innovation Practice