So far, automakers have done a pretty terrible job of designing infotainment systems. Those systems are so bad, they're causing quality scores to plummet and inspiring unpleasant lawsuits.
And yet, automakers stubbornly keep churning out wonky in-dash tech. Toyota went so far as to say that it would never allow third-party software like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on its vehicles.
Now, Google has done an end-run around Toyota. In fact, it's bypassing all automakers who might generate a bit of extra cash by selling Android Auto as an upgrade.
Nissan Leaf: The Nissan Leaf app is designed to help owners manage and control their electric vehicle directly from their Android or iDevice. 1 Android Auto is available for newly purchased vehicles and stereos, and may be offered as a standard or optional feature. Availability is subject to change and may vary based on geography and trim level. Software updates to include Android Auto may be available for some models listed. Please check with your dealer for details.
How? By allowing Android Auto to run as a smartphone app. A free app.
That's great news--not just for people who find smartphones easier to use than the screens on the center stacks of their cars, but also for folks who drive cars without screens at all. Own a 1992 Toyota Corolla? Congratulations: you can now enjoy Android Auto.
Before you get too excited, though, there are a couple of caveats. Most importantly, to use Android Auto on your phone, you'll need a device running Android--specifically, Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or later. And of course, you'll need the updated Android Auto app, which won't roll out for another few days. (If you're feeling antsy, you can download the current Android Auto app, which will upgrade to 2.0 soon.)
Once you've got all that, just crack open the app, and Android Auto will create a driver-friendly version of the Android operating system you know so well, limiting access to apps that can be used safely on the road. It will also allow you to use voice commands to take calls and send messages, and it will read directions to get you from Point A to Point B. Eventually, you'll be able to use voice commands to access apps, too.
All of which sounds great and raises two interesting questions:
1. Will Apple follow suit and offer CarPlay as a free app, too (much to the dismay of dealers)?
2. Will this finally convince automakers to spend less time on infotainment tech and more time developing self-driving software and electric cars?
If you've got answers to either of those questions, share them in the comments below.
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Ncar 2.0 App
What the bug does is generate a cutout when listening to music on apps like Spotify and other players in Android Auto, with several users confirming that the playback suffers a small interruption at random moments no matter the phone they used in the car.
The issue was resolved by Nissan with an update for the 2019 Altima in June, while in August, the same new firmware version went live for the 2019 Sentra too. However, worth knowing is that not all dealerships installed the update on request, despite the fact that the release notes specifically mentioned the Android Auto music skipping bug as resolved in the new version.
An updated technical bulletin published by Nissan in late July indicates that the bug has now been addressed in the 2019 and 2020 Altima and Murano too.
This time, however, the changelog doesn’t point to the Android Auto music skipping issue, but it does reveal that it “updates the display control unit software.”
According to users on Google’s forums, however, this update fixes the music cutout in the said models.
“This software update will update your head unit to version #0912 which will fix the audio cut out problem! There's other nifty little enhancements for your head unit that come with this update as well. You may have to work a little magic with the dealer's service department to get them to install this update. they tend to be strict about replicating the issue before agreeing to do any work. With enough persistence, hopefully you'll find some luck,” someone says on the forums.
So right now, the Android Auto music skipping bug should be resolved in the majority of new Nissan models, and what you need to do next is to convince the dealership to update your head unit.