Latest news with #CarPlay
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Gizmodo
This Wireless CarPlay Adapter Is Practically a Giveaway on Amazon, Over 50% Off With Limited Stock
Name your favorite part about driving. We're going to go out on a limb and assume trying to figure out where all your cords and chargers need to go while you've got your pedal to the metal. And between running errands, heading to work, or starting a road trip, plugging and unplugging your phone every time you get in the car gets old fast. That's especially true if you're already using Apple CarPlay and wish it would just connect automatically. You really don't have to deal with that anymore, though. Not with this excellent discount. Right now, the HaMeby Wireless CarPlay Adapter for iPhone is just $48, down from its usual price of $100, discount of 53%. See at Amazon Your plug-and-play CarPlay solution You might not think it at first, but this is one of those small, affordable upgrades that makes a surprisingly big difference. Instead of plugging your phone in every time you want to use CarPlay, this device makes it an instant connection. It's plug-and-play, so all you have to do is connect it to your car's USB port where you'd normally plug in for CarPlay, and after that, your iPhone connects via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi every time. Then you can do it with all the other devices you or your family have too. And you don't have to worry about it not being able to keep up, even though it's a smaller device. You won't deal with lag when you're switching songs, answering calls, or following directions on Maps. Everything syncs just like it would over a wired connection. It's also pretty zippy all its own since it supports Bluetooth 5.3 and 5.8GHz Wi-Fi for low-latency performance, and it's compatible with iPhones running iOS 10 or later. As long as your car has factory-installed wired CarPlay, this adapter should work. That's small comfort in a world where things working isn't as common as it should be, but it's something. There's also the peace of mind built in with a 2-year warranty and regular firmware updates to keep everything running smoothly. This adapter is over 50% off, and it'll pay for itself in a short amount of time. The first time you don't have to worry about finding your way is going to be when you realize how absolutely amazing having this convenience is. And then you'll want to go back and buy more for everyone you know. It's that useful. See at Amazon
Motor 1
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Chevy's Infotainment System Is Excellent—Especially With CarPlay: Review
At the risk of beating a dead horse, Chevrolet deciding to ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility in its electric cars has to be one of the most short-sighted moves in automotive history. As CarPlay grows to become even more expansive, buyers of Chevy's excellent new EVs are left with no choice but to fiddle with the brand's native interface. It should be said: Chevy's infotainment system is excellent, CarPlay or not. The screens are big and beautiful, the graphics are crisp, and there are a ton of features. Chevy even baked some genuinely useful tools into the Google Maps interface for charging. But the system only gets better with smartphone mirroring. Quick Specs 2025 Chevrolet Suburban Touchscreen 17.7 Inches Instrument Cluster 11.0 Inches Apple CarPlay / Android Auto Wireless Subscription Costs $10-$65 / Month Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 The screens look lovely regardless of what's projected onto them. In this Suburban , a massive 17.7-inch landscape display occupies the center of the dash while an 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster sits just ahead of the driver. These are the two biggest screens Chevy offers in any of its cars, with smaller 11.0- and 13.4-inch screens also available throughout its lineup. Chevy's native graphics are modern and crisp, with a blue-tinged background that makes it all feel a bit more futuristic. Options on the home screen are arranged neatly and require only one or two taps to get you where you need to go, which means you can quickly parse things while on the move. No need to go digging. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control systems both come standard, and they work about as well as any modern in-car voice command system, which is to say, hit or miss. Google Maps is the native navigation, and it's no different here than it is on your smartphone—give or take a few tweaks to fit the larger screen. It's completely seamless. Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Pros: Looks Beautiful, Easy To Use, Seamless Maps, Many Useful Features Of course, buyers who still want their phone projected onto the screen can do that. That's the beauty of choice. With Apple CarPlay or Android Auto activated, the smartphone projection looks absolutely pristine atop Chevy's massive center stack. Maybe second only to BMW, Chevy accepts the smartphone interface like no other. And it takes up the same amount of screen real estate as Chevy's native system, too. Blissfully, the Suburban still offers a row of tactile buttons and dials for fan speed, temperature, and window defrosting just below the middle air vents. They're so easy to use. But, there's also a row of touch controls at the base of the screen that offers many of those same functions, with added seat heating and ventilation, and fan adjustments. It's the best of both worlds. Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Any problems are trivial. When you're using Apple CarPlay, there's no home button, which means you have to scroll to the second screen and hit the "Chevrolet" app to get back to Chevy's UI. Not a huge deal. And when you're listening to a podcast over Bluetooth, there's no clear "15-second rewind" or "30-second fast forward" option. But, the on-screen arrows offer the same functions nonetheless. And then there are the costs. Chevrolet just recently updated its OnStar pricing structure for 2025, with the most basic "Connect" plan starting at $10 a month for native apps like audiobooks, music, news, and podcasts. The "Connect Plus" plan adds a Wi-Fi hotspot and in-vehicle games for $20 a month, while the most expensive "OnStar One Super Cruise" adds things like roadside assistance, stolen vehicle assistance, and Super Cruise for $65 a month. Super Cruise is otherwise a $25 per month extra on those other packages. Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Cons: Expensive Subscription Costs Beyond some very minor complaints and pricey subscription costs, Chevy's infotainment system is probably second only to Toyota's interface in 2025. It's clean, it's quick, it's easy to use, and it has most everything you want (assuming you're willing to pony up). Yes, you still need Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you want the same simplicity of a smartphone. Or, you definitely still want it at a minimum. But Chevy has done an excellent job of offering users everything they could ask for without it feeling too much of a downgrade from what's in their pockets. More Infotainment Reviews The Nissan Rogue's Base Infotainment Proves Simpler Is Better: Review Volvo's Infotainment System Looks Good, But Falls Short: Review Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
NZ Autocar
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
2025 MG HS Essence Long Term
Having awarded the MG HS our Value Car of the Year award recently, it's been good to get a few more miles behind the wheel of this family SUV. And we'll get a few more over the coming months, having just started a long term relationship with it. What bagged the HS its award was not just its price vs spec credentials, but that it is also an honestly competent family SUV for the money. There are few compromises here. The ride is particularly pleasant for the grind around the suburbs. MG has come a long way, and in a short time in this regard. Where the previous generation models had both an underwhelming bump absorption and so-so roll control, this HS goes well. It favours ride comfort, soaking large bumps and speed humps without crashing into the bump stops like the old models did. But it's also got a better idea of roll control in bends too. The 1.5T engine gets into its torque quickly, the lag off the line minimal in the context of daily commuting. The take up of power from the dual-clutch transmission is refined when manoeuvring around slowly (parking and the like). And provided you give the brake pedal a quick pump when you're on an incline, the hill starts are smooth as well; that's not always a given with twin-clutch devices. The gearlever action is straightforward too, and quick acting when moving from R to D. What most buyers will appreciate is the overall refinement here; the trans is smooth, both the engine noise and vibrations are muted and road noise is acceptable. The interior quality has taken a big step up. The HS doesn't feel made to a price point, not too plasticky in other words. And without any odd odours emanating from the interior either. While the seat lacks a tilt adjustment for the squab, it is nice and soft while maintaining good support. Yes, the safety minders do go on; the overspeed warning chime would be slightly more tolerable if it just dinged once instead of thrice. And I'll try Pete's advice regarding the driver monitor and see if taping over it does work long term. These are some of the many features on the long, long specification list, the fitout good value for the $42,990 asked for this Essence grade variant. That's the top spec, but you can nab the ZS Vibe for just $36,990, outstanding value in 2025 for a family friendly SUV. That comes with dual 12-inch screens, CarPlay and Android Auto, a smart key, electric driver's seat adjustment, parking camera and the MG Pilot Safety Suite which includes active cruise control. But the $3K needed to upgrade to the mid-spec Excite is money well spent. Here you get 19s, synthetic leather, nav, the 360 surround camera and the iSmart app. The Essence has even more with a big panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, powered seats on both sides with heating too, a power tailgate, better audio and privacy glass. And in 2025, that's a lot of SUV for the money, especially when considering the 10-year warranty that MG offers. MG HS Essence$42,990 / 6.9L/100km / 156g/km 0-100 km/h 9.15s Engine 1496cc / IL4 / T Max power 125kW Max torque 275Nm Transmission 7-speed twin-clutch / FWD Weight (claimed) 1599kg
West Australian
3 days ago
- Automotive
- West Australian
Android Auto to gain video playback, games, web browsing
A whole host of new functionality is coming to Android Auto, the smartphone mirroring system available in almost all new cars sold today. When Apple launched CarPlay in 2014, and Google released Android Auto in 2015, both tech giants restricted mirroring functionality primarily to navigation, audio playback, and basic messaging for safety reasons. At its I/O, Google's annual developer conference, the search giant confirmed video playback and web browsing functionality are 'coming soon' to Android Auto. Naturally, due to safety concerns, you'll need to be parked in order access these two features. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . Video playback will only work on supported apps and 'compatible cars'. The user's phone also needs to be running Android 16, which is currently in beta and will start becoming available on from June 3. In typical Android fashion, Google's devices will have the new version of the operating system (OS) first, with other smartphone manufacturers typically taking a month to a year to roll the latest version to their phones. Game play support is now available for Android Auto beta testers. It's unclear when game, video and web browsing will all become available to the general public. Vehicles with infotainment systems that run the Android Automotive OS – often branded as Google Built-in – already have access to video playback, with audio-only playback while driving on the coming soon list. Web browsing is currently in the beta test phase for cars with Android Automotive. Google Gemini, the voice activated AI search assistant, is also heading to Android Auto and Android Automotive in the 'coming months'. It will replace Google Assistant, and promises to have more natural voice interaction, the ability to pull and infer more information from other sources, including your email, calendar and apps like Spotify. In the meantime, Google has added weather to the list of approved application types for Android Auto. If you have any weather apps on your Android phone, expect to see them appear in your Android Auto app drawer as developers add support for the smartphone mirroring system.
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Android Auto to gain video playback, games, web browsing
A whole host of new functionality is coming to Android Auto, the smartphone mirroring system available in almost all new cars sold today. When Apple launched CarPlay in 2014, and Google released Android Auto in 2015, both tech giants restricted mirroring functionality primarily to navigation, audio playback, and basic messaging for safety reasons. At its I/O, Google's annual developer conference, the search giant confirmed video playback and web browsing functionality are 'coming soon' to Android Auto. Naturally, due to safety concerns, you'll need to be parked in order access these two features. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Video playback will only work on supported apps and 'compatible cars'. The user's phone also needs to be running Android 16, which is currently in beta and will start becoming available on from June 3. In typical Android fashion, Google's devices will have the new version of the operating system (OS) first, with other smartphone manufacturers typically taking a month to a year to roll the latest version to their phones. Game play support is now available for Android Auto beta testers. It's unclear when game, video and web browsing will all become available to the general public. Vehicles with infotainment systems that run the Android Automotive OS – often branded as Google Built-in – already have access to video playback, with audio-only playback while driving on the coming soon list. Web browsing is currently in the beta test phase for cars with Android Automotive. Google Gemini, the voice activated AI search assistant, is also heading to Android Auto and Android Automotive in the 'coming months'. It will replace Google Assistant, and promises to have more natural voice interaction, the ability to pull and infer more information from other sources, including your email, calendar and apps like Spotify. In the meantime, Google has added weather to the list of approved application types for Android Auto. If you have any weather apps on your Android phone, expect to see them appear in your Android Auto app drawer as developers add support for the smartphone mirroring system.
