To taste, colors. And the long list of apps available for Android Auto for different needs. No apps in Google’s car infotainment system by himselfBut these are some kind of projection compatible ones that we install on our phone… which must be an Android.
If we are not very inclined to install new applications, the Google applications on Android that we will see in Android Auto are well-known: Google Maps, Calendar, Podcasts… I will not kid you: most of them I went to the bottom of the menu navigation during configuration so that they would not bother me, because I do not use them at all and there are others just in case: here’s why I have other alternative apps for Android Auto that I think are better.
I don’t use Google Maps, I prefer Waze and TomTom AmiGo
Both are owned by Google, and although Maps is the nice girl, I think Waze is noticeably better behind the wheel and Android Auto is also free. Although I have various reasons for thinking so, there are two that seem fundamental to me. The first is the interface: Waze has a more casual look and looks much better, This is a very important thing for someone like me who is not very good with maps and gets lost easily.
The second thing is that it has such an active community. Can report any problem on the road within minutes: an impromptu police checkpoint, the remains of a car from a crash, problems caused by bad weather… there’s nothing like Waze when it comes to unpredictable events.
One, in the absence of two: While I know Waze is the browser I use regularly, my ace in this regard is the TomTom AmiGo, a free browser with no ads (something I had to swallow with Waze). very careful maps, a simplified interface and speed camera warning The best I’ve ever seen. Yes, it’s up to date thanks to the Waze community, but on AmiGo it’s hard to miss because it alerts you with a loud, icon, a red box on the screen indicating the approximate distance.
waze
Navigation and traffic
TomTom AmiGo
Free GPS navigator without ads
I don’t use Weather, I prefer Weather and Radar
Someone Android Auto’s big pending issues If, like me, you tend to drive relatively frequently on long routes that require crossing mountain passes, this has to do with the weather; This is also a coincidence. Because what Google offers today with the official El Tiempo app in its infotainment system is quick access to the voice assistant, which essentially tells us what the weather is like here and now.
Yes, it is ideal not to confuse the driver, but is insufficient in terms of benefits Considering that we already use applications that require looking at the screen (at least from time to time), such as browsers, I think this is a worthwhile extra, and Time and Radar does.
This app is free It has a very visual and intuitive interface Because sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, which allows us to know at a glance whether there is a storm nearby or how much rain is falling here, but also allows us to know the weather in real time and in the next few hours. It will rain or it will be sunny but there will also be heat. It is possible to choose from several interfaces, but I find the one that shows orography the most useful because it is normal for the weather to be worse when we cross a pass than when we cross a plain.
Weather and Radar
Your time at a glance! Weather & Radar app gives you 90 minute, hourly forecast, weather today and tomorrow, 7 and 14 day weather in Spain and anywhere in the world
I don’t use YouTube Music: Spotify and Amazon Music are better
In previous cases I was clear that my choices were based on the fact that in my experience the selected applications were better than the applications that came by default; but the key to YouTube Music is to take advantage of most apps. Its functions are necessary to pay the customer. But, I’m content with what Spotify and Amazon Music offer for freeat the cost of losing some other functionality, such as listening to certain songs or commercials on demand.
Spotify starts with the advantage of being mainstream. This was the first music streaming app I tried and stayed away from inertia, plus it’s an excellent platform for people to send you their playlists. Amazon Music, on the other hand, came ‘standard’ with my Prime and usually has enough promotions to keep it free for months.
Spotify
Music and podcasts
Amazon Music
Music and podcasts
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