Navigation in the car has become a crucial feature for many drivers, and there is a battle occurring between car manufacturers, Android Auto, and CarPlay Smartphone. This article highlights the competition and discusses the future of navigation in vehicles.
During a test drive, the author experiences a setback when their onboard navigation system fails to provide information about a road closure. This costs them 50 minutes and leads them to question the usefulness of the onboard system compared to smartphone navigation apps like Google Maps.
Google currently dominates the navigation market due to its extensive user base and live data. This poses a challenge for car manufacturers who are attempting to offer their own navigation systems. If Google Maps is available for free and more reliable, what can car manufacturers provide to entice customers?
However, what may be a concern for car manufacturers could actually benefit customers. With smartphones and data plans, drivers already have access to powerful navigation tools. In-car infotainment systems offered by manufacturers often pale in comparison to the capabilities of smartphones.
The question now becomes how car manufacturers can leverage the capabilities of smartphones to enhance navigation in vehicles. Harnessing the power of smartphones to improve in-car infotainment seems to be the logical next step.
Overall, navigation is a critical feature for drivers, and car manufacturers, Android Auto, and CarPlay Smartphone are all vying for dominance in this area. As smartphone navigation apps continue to excel, car manufacturers must find innovative ways to adapt and offer unique value to customers in order to remain competitive.
