Essential apps every Android Auto user should try
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Key Takeaways
- Google Maps: Active navigation with speed indicator for unusual places.
- Deezer: User-friendly interface for music and podcast discovery by voice.
- Audible: A slick, well-run app for audiobooks with a subscription paywall.
If you’re like me and spend a lot of time in your car, I suspect you often use it for your phone wandering around and music. With thousands of parallelsAndroid Auto applications that exist, including those that allow you to listen to audiobooks and podcasts there are many ways to pass the time on a road trip. I’ll go over my picks for the best ones to use on your next motoring trip.
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1 Google Maps
Navigation using GPS
Clear and simple choice here Google Maps. I know there are great alternatives like Waze, which is a great navigation app in its own right, but Google Maps always seems to get me where I’m going the fastest.
Speed signs are a great addition to the stop and traffic lights displayed on the map as you drive — or be sure to check any and all signs as you drive, especially if you find yourself on unfamiliar roads. Another thing is that you don’t need to install another app to do the same thing since Google Maps is built into Android. Additionally, you are assured of regular updates as Google has invested heavily in the success of Maps.
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2 Deezer
Music is on the go
Yes, it’s a music app that isn’t Spotify, wouldn’t you believe it? Deezer It has a nice driving interface. I find it can keep screen taps small and your eyes on the road. Deezer also does a good job of receiving music and podcasts by voice alone, which is what we really want to do well when we’re driving. There’s not much I can find in the Deezer app, but I don’t ask for much of the rest of the center since I listen to mostly ’90s hip hop, jazz and first-wave music. You won’t find exclusive podcasts that are only available on Spotify, but I can find many that I enjoy, including the Deep House Cat Podcast.
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3 SiriusXM
Live radio and talk
SiriusXM should also be mentioned if you have a subscription. The app has a great UX, and you’re greeted by two Howard Stern channels if that’s your bag.
In addition, it is the only way in the US to listen to live Premier League Football on the Sirius FC channel (okay, football in other parts of the world, including here in the US).
4 It’s understandable
Books for your ears
Amazon has done a great job with the Android Auto version of its audiobook app. The software is smart, works great and has a great user interface. I would advise you to buy any audiobooks you want to listen to before you start driving around.
I’ve listened to quite a few books on very long drives, and Audible is the best way to enjoy a novel or non-fiction book on the road. There’s a two-tier subscription paywall to overcome, but it’s well worth it if you spend a lot of time in the car.
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5 Fuelio
Manage your car expenses
Prices at the pump, and car costs in general, have risen dramatically over the past five years or so. No one likes to pay more than they need to, which is where Fuelio enters.
Fuelio is designed to help you monitor your vehicle’s mileage, fuel consumption, and other expenses such as servicing. You can track service records, fuel prices, usage rates, mileage, costs, and fuel prices. Also, you can use Fuelio to plan your road trip and the app will tell you where to stop on a particular route.
When attached to Android Auto, you can see where and when to fill up the tank. Enter that information into the app, and you’re good to go. Note that the Fuelio app works best with the Sygic GPS Navigation app.
You can be as detailed as you like, which is very useful if you are a small business owner and like to log car trips. Or maybe you like to track expenses like I do.
6 Reminder
Don’t forget me
An often overlooked feature within Android Auto is the Reminder app. It comes pre-installed on Android, so you won’t have to go looking for it on the Google Play Store.
As the name suggests, it’s a simple app to take note of your brain farts, of which I have many. You can play back any notes and reminders, allowing you to refresh yourself on any information you may have saved while driving.
It is very useful to save information such as the license plate of a car you saw involved in a traffic accident. Yes, you can use it for things like grocery shopping lists and the like.
7 Scanner radio
Emergency on Planet Earth
Scanner Radio allows you to listen to many police and emergency radios. Whether there is a nearby wildfire, shooting, or any other emergency event, you will be notified and given the option to listen. There is also a useful feature that allows you to set the number of potential listeners for any channel before you listen. I live in the country so any real time local news is helpful, especially if it involves wildfire.
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