I bought a car that is so old that it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and I love it. It’s an older BMW, and it has USB but nothing fancy. I use the built-in navigation system for maps, Bluetooth for music, and you know what? I don’t miss CarPlay at all. In fact, I’m relieved that I don’t have to rely on my smartphone anymore. That’s a huge problem for Apple and Google. CarPlay and Android Auto have made things worse in every way, not better.
What does my older car do that CarPlay doesn’t? Let’s start with the things it doesn’t do. It doesn’t freeze up, ever. When I switch from music to maps, I don’t get an interminable pause that leaves me wondering if I need to restart … something. The only thing I restart is the internal combustion engine. The navigation system just works.
