Multifunctional car radios are replacing the traditional radio function only car media players, everyone knows more functions equal more fun. Popular functions including Bluetooth, navigation, radio, of course, all become basic functions of a car multimedia player, no need to elaborate how useful and convenient they are as the overwhelming advertisement already done a great job.

New functions are developed for better accessibility to the smartphone, such as mirror link, few companies have successfully developed their own free version. The Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as the third party driving assistance APP, are gaining more followers every day, some car radios already integrated with the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. But there are car head units compatible with the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Here I made a comparison:

That’s the information I found for your reference. (Every choice is not easy to make, some part needs to be sacrificed…)

If you are looking for information about an external Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay dongle, Pumpkin NA7006B may be helpful. Other external device like DAB digital radio box NA7021B is also available.

In the car infotainment wars, there are three camps: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the car stereo do not support the first two. Increasingly, CarPlay and Android Auto are the only true contenders in this contest. We have introduced Android Auto in the previous blog, so we are going to talk about CarPlay.

CarPlay gives car drivers a quick and convenient way to access the data stored on your Apple phone. It enables a car stereo to be displayed and controlled for an iSO device. Car drivers can use CarPlay to navigate, make calls, send and receive text messages, and listen to music or podcasts. CarPlay makes driving more safer by reducing distraction and it is more user-friendly.

However, not all iOS applications can work with CarPlay, only a few of them work with CarPlay.

• CarPlay-enabled apps usually include:
• Phone
• Apple Music
• Apple Maps
• Calendar
• Messages
• AudioBooks
• Podcasts
• Settings
• Audio
• Navigation
• Automaker
• Messaging/Voice over IP (VoIP)

CarPlay-enabled apps installed on the device also appear on the CarPlay home screen.

Pumpkin AutoPlay Dongle possesses the features of Android Auto and CarPlay. It can support both Android and iOS systems. With Pumpkin AutoPlay Dongle, it is no need to have one more Android or iPhone dongle.

Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google to mirror features from an Android device, such as a smartphone, to a head unit. It is developed to encourage motorists to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the steering wheel. It usually needs a dongle to connect.

Before getting started with Android Auto, you must download the app on your phone, connect your USB port to the car’s system, and allow for the navigation and other controls to be dictated by the app. It should easily appear on your car’s screen.

Making calls or sending texts while driving is not a good idea. With Android Auto, you don’t run the risk of having to use your hands while driving.

One of the best parts of Android Auto is the Google Maps-powered navigation system, which provides step-by-step directions and automatically finds an alternate route if it detects heavy traffic. It also gives motorists on-demand access to millions of songs and podcasts, lets them surf the web.

Pumpkin AutoPlay Dongle possesses the features of Android Auto and CarPlay. It can support both Android and IOS systems. With Pumpkin AutoPlay Dongle, it is no need to have one more Android or iPhone dongle.