Get the Best of Both Worlds: Touch Screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Alright, let’s talk about this touch screen thingy for your car, you know, the Apple CarPlay and that Android Auto thing. Folks keep jabberin’ about ’em, so I figured I’d chew it over with ya.

What are these Apple Car-thingy and Android Auto-whatsits?

Well, from what I gather, these things are supposed to make your car radio smarter. Like, way smarter than that old radio I had in my pickup. Used to just get static half the time! Anyways, they let you use your phone’s stuff on a bigger screen in your car. You know, like maps and music and callin’ folks. Fancy, huh?

• Apple CarPlay: This one’s for them Apple phones, the i-somethings. Seems like it works real smooth and easy, like butter on a hot biscuit. Folks say it’s quick and don’t give you no fuss.
• Android Auto: This one’s for the other phones, the ones that ain’t Apples. Now, this one’s got a whole heap of stuff it can do, maybe too much if you ask me. Like having a toolbox with a hundred wrenches, but you only ever use two.

How do you get this fancy stuff in your car?

Well, some new cars got it built right in, like it’s part of the dashboard. But if your car’s a bit older, like mine, you gotta get one of them aftermarket screens. They stick it on your dashboard, kinda like hangin’ a picture frame, but more complicated. And then, there are those portable ones. They just sit there on your dash and connect to your phone, showing you all your phone things on their screen. Like magic, but it ain’t, it’s wires and stuff, I reckon.

Using This Touch Screen Thingy

Now, once you got it all set up, it’s supposed to be easy as pie. You just tap the screen, like you do with your phone, and there it is – maps, music, even that Siri thing folks talk about. Siri, I hear, can make calls for ya and even read your messages. Though, I ain’t so sure I want a machine readin’ my mail. What if it’s got secrets in it? Or, even worse, what if it’s got one of those chain letters and then the darn thing starts sendin’ it to everyone I know.

Why would you want Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?

Well, I reckon it’s for makin’ life easier. Like, if you’re drivin’ somewhere you ain’t been before, that map thingy on the screen is a whole lot better than tryin’ to read one of them paper maps. And listenin’ to that old radio, well, that got boring after a while. You get tired of the same old songs. With this, you can listen to whatever you want, whenever you want. It’s like havin’ a jukebox in your car, but smaller and fancier.

Is Apple CarPlay better than Android Auto or is Android Auto better than Apple CarPlay?

Now, that’s what folks keep arguin’ about. Some say the Apple one is simpler and faster, which I like. Ain’t got time for fiddlin’ around when I’m tryin’ to drive. Others say the Android one can do more stuff, but it sounds complicated. Like too many cooks in the kitchen, makin’ a mess of things. I hear some of these things even have a thing called “mirror link.” Sounds like somethin’ out of a fairy tale, but it just means your phone screen shows up on the car screen. Though why you’d want to do that, I don’t know.

Bluetooth and this car stuff

And then there’s somethin’ called Bluetooth 5.0, I hear. Don’t ask me what it is, but I think it helps your phone talk to the screen without using a bunch of wires. Which is good, ‘cause wires get tangled and then you got a mess like a ball of yarn the cat got into.

Should you get a touch screen Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?

Well, I can’t tell you what to do with your money, but if you’re like me and want things simple and easy, then maybe it’s worth lookin’ into. But don’t go spendin’ all your hard-earned cash on somethin’ you don’t need. Just think about it real good and then decide. And if it does all them fancy things folks say it does, maybe it’ll keep you from gettin’ lost or havin’ to listen to that same darn song on the radio for the hundredth time.

Features you might like or not like

One thing to keep in mind is that some of these screens have a bunch of extra features. Like, they might play videos or let you surf the internet. Now, I ain’t got no use for watchin’ movies while I’m drivin’. Gotta keep my eyes on the road, you know. And surf the internet? I got better things to do than stare at a tiny screen when I should be lookin’ at the scenery.

But some folks might like that extra stuff. It’s all a matter of what you want and what you’re willin’ to pay for. Just remember, the more fancy it is, the more likely it is to break down. And then you gotta spend more money to fix it. That’s just the way things are, ain’t it?

So, what’s the final word?

Well, from what I can tell, these touch screen thingies for your car seem like they could be handy. They let you use your phone’s stuff without havin’ to fumble around with it while you’re drivin’. And that’s a good thing, ‘cause safety first, I always say. Whether you go with the Apple one or the Android one is up to you. Just do your homework, as they say, and don’t let them sales folks talk you into somethin’ you don’t need.

Now, I gotta go make some supper. All this talk about fancy car gadgets has made me hungry.