Android Auto vs. Ford Sync 4

[TNVolFan]

I'm attempting to figure out how to use Android Auto in my 23 XLT. A few questions, if anyone has a moment.

Will Android Auto determine when charging is needed in route planning?

Is it possible to use AA in full screen mode?

Which do you prefer - AA or Ford Sync?

What are the benefits?

Thank you if you have time. The forum community is amazing!

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[TaxmanHog]

I'm attempting to figure out how to use Android Auto in my 23 XLT. A few questions, if anyone has a moment.

Will Android Auto determine when charging is needed in route planning?

Is it possible to use AA in full screen mode?

Which do you prefer - AA or Ford Sync?

What are the benefits?

Thank you if you have time. The forum community is amazing!

BTW, my comments are for the larger 15" screen, not really familiar with the smaller screen layout and functionality / visual usefulness.

IE, Google Maps is the focus of your AA concerns, your route planning with it can do recommendations for charging stops but I do not think it's been updated yet for full battery conditioning.

I've always relied of Ford Navigation because of the battery preconditioning {when it's working}

There are a couple of display modes in Google Maps that allow you to minimize the middle bar and create a slightly large map area but's no comparison to Ford Nav's size

The Google maps always loads up when my truck is first started, but then I flip over to Ford Nav to use my prebuilt route plans made in Fordpass.

 

[TNVolFan]

BTW, my comments are for the larger 15" screen, not really familiar with the smaller screen layout and functionality / visual usefulness.

IE, Google Maps is the focus of your AA concerns, your route planning with it can do recommendations for charging stops but I do not think it's been updated yet for full battery conditioning.

I've always relied of Ford Navigation because of the battery preconditioning {when it's working}

There are a couple of display modes in Google Maps that allow you to minimize the middle bar and create a slightly large map area but's no comparison to Ford Nav's size

The Google maps always loads up when my truck is first started, but then I flip over to Ford Nav to use my prebuilt route plans made in Fordpass.

I didn't think about preconditioning. That's important.

 

[deserthi]

I just changed from Iphone to android phone. When I had the Iphone I used maps from car play but I just don't like the google maps in Android Auto. No full screen and the Ford navigation is just better and if I navigate to a charger it automatically pre conditions. That's how I road trip. I plan my trip that then navigate to each charging station.

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

BTW, my comments are for the larger 15" screen, not really familiar with the smaller screen layout and functionality / visual usefulness.

FYI, the larger screen operates off SYNC 4a, it is different than SYNC 4.

 

[TaxmanHog]

FYI, the larger screen operates off SYNC 4a, it is different than SYNC 4.

Yes, I understand this fact, but more importantly, the landscape vs portrait layout changes so much and I've never had a F series with the smaller screen, last truck was a 2012 F250.

 

[invertedspear]

>Will Android Auto determine when charging is needed in route planning?
I don't get info on my wifes Android about battery SOC, but I do on the iPhone, this may be an OTA/sync version thing, but I don't think AA gets battery info yet.

>Is it possible to use AA in full screen mode?
I think so, but I can't say for 100% sure without stealing her phone and trying.

>Which do you prefer - AA or Ford Sync?
AA and Carplay both have better UI than the native system. I trust the traffic on Google and Apple maps better, and I won't have to worry about keeping anything up to date when the nav trial expires after a few years

>What are the benefits?
-Stream from your favorite service instead of depending on sirius. (Also easy to use Audible and Libby if you like audio books)
-Maps that are always updated
-Better real time traffic, and Google Maps shows you stoplights, which makes in-town nav easier to me.
-Choice on map app. Sometimes I want Waze cause I want accurate speed trap reporting ;-)
-Better display of map info, IMO.
-Phone voice commands are better than Ford's native
-With some clever apps, I've been able to watch HBO, Disney, and Netflix on the screen
-More apps in general.

How About the Cons though? The Carplay and AA maps won't precondition your battery, not too big a deal IMO, but a serious thing to some people. You can't control anything about the car or get any info from the car from CP and AA, except Apple Maps does get battery info once you get a particular OTA. Wireless of both CP and AA has it's issues, stick to wired. If you're not tech savvy and using the system all the time it can create some confusion because Nav doesn't go away, it's still an option on the bottom of the screen, as are all the other sync "apps"

 

[Henry Ford]

Wireless of both CP and AA has it's issues, stick to wired.

I can't speak to Car Play but Android Auto works flawlessly a huge majority of the time for me. When it doesn't I plug in and wireless works the next time. Wired is almost certainly more reliable but I suggest using wireless if it fits your needs better.

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