If you’re talking an Android tablet/headunit, separate from Android Auto, that makes sense… But Android Auto is essentially a simplified interface for specific apps installed on your phone, and is generally quicker and safer than using the phone interface. No one here is arguing for a separate android console interface, so I’m not sure we’re talking about the same things. The whole point of Android Auto is to take a separate interface and OS out of the equation and to allow you to use your phone as the brain.

What apps were you hoping for it to support?

I am not sure how it could be much more intuitive, at least from a touch screen perspective. It’s just a touch interface with an app drawer, nothing much more to it than that. However, if it wasn’t a touch screen I could believe it not being very nice to use, as I have a friend that has an Audi that does CarPlay but the screen isn’t touch, so he had to use physical buttons to use the interface. THAT is definitely not good.

As for the apps, I use Signal, WhatsApp, Messages, Spotify, YT Music, Waze, and Google Maps and they all support AA, so at least for my purposes it does what I need from a car apps interface standpoint.

The main argument I have against just phone + bluetooth is that you have to unlock your screen, keep it on, and it’s a smaller size. I have wireless android auto set up, along with a magsafe case+charger, so my routine is to get in the car, slap the phone on the charger, and everything just comes up on my head unit display. For me it is way more convenient than having to deal with my phone display, and the larger screen is also better for navigation.

I have yet to hear any real negative points against AA or CarPlay for that matter, mostly it comes down to preferences like yours rather than actual interface issues.

I am curious why you think that? My reasons for liking it are the fact that it essentially just works, and gives me a consistent UI across multiple vehicles. What are your issues with it?

Wow, was not aware although after just looking it up, evidently it is only for ‘premium’ rides and not standard. As if having someone not talk to you should cost extra. 🙄

Cool, now both Lyft and Uber need a “no extra conversation” option too. I don’t want to talk to the driver when I use rideshares, I hate the incessant small talk they want me to be a part of. I know some people might like it or at the very least not mind it, but I absolutely can’t stand it 9 times out of 10. Give me the option to specifically not have it please.

Looks nice! Will have to take a look, thanks!

Good, I hope this means we get even more turn-based RPGs again. I’m 100% fine with people enjoying the new action-oriented RPGs like Final Fantasy has become, but I love turn based so much more. I didn’t like that it felt like there couldn’t be both on the market. There is just something way more enjoyable to me about turn-based as opposed to mashing buttons and twitchy moves like I’m playing God of War.

I haven’t had the issues with Google messages you cite, it’s always worked reliably. I’ve used Pushbullet and MightySMS MightyText in the past, with MightySMS MightyText being the best I had used before Messages.

I tried FF7R’s attempt, but it just doesn’t do it for me. It is nice that they tried though I suppose.

I’m not one of those people that says “why make this” when it’s a game style I don’t like, so I’m all for anyone who loves this style of game to be happy and enjoy it. That being said, I long for a day where we get a turn based Final Fantasy again (that isn’t just another remake of older games).

Honestly it is so dystopian that we even have to have laws to require this kind of thing. It only makes sense to be able to replace failed parts instead of throwing out entire units or being required to have the manufacturer handle it.

In reality what happens is that devices with difficult or impossible to replace batteries end up getting thrown in the trash more often than anyone does anything else with them.