10 Essential Android Auto Apps You Should Download Right Now

© Roman Vishnikov/Shutterstock The Google Android Auto app in the car

As technology continues to advance, all of our devices are becoming smarter, and cars are no different. Android Auto is an important example of innovation in this area, allowing users to access various applications and services through the car's dashboard. From music streaming to navigation, there's an app for everything on the go.

If you're an Android user and drive a lot, it's important to use Android Auto and the apps available for it. These apps make your driving more fun and help you focus on the road instead of your phone. It's important to remember that Google Assistant is part of Android Auto. This means you can use voice commands to control many of the apps and services available on the platform. This feature is especially useful when driving, as it allows you to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Here are the best Android apps that you should download right now to make your life easier and get the most out of this innovative platform.

Waze navigation and live traffic

© Daniel Constante/Shutterstock A smartphone with the Waze app logo

Google Maps has been a popular navigation app for Android users. However, Google Maps isn't perfect, as artist Simon Weckert made clear when he showed 99 how phones can change traffic flow. That's why Waze, a crowdsourced navigation app, is a great alternative to Google Maps and a welcome addition to Android Auto.

Waze relies on its users to provide real-time information on traffic, accidents and driver conditions, making it an essential tool for drivers. While Google Maps is amazing, it can't match Waze for avoiding fines or tracking traffic delays in real time. The Waze interface is a colorful and beautiful display that is customizable and easy to use.

With Waze, users can personalize their driving experience by creating a profile that allows them to avoid highways, high-traffic areas, and toll roads. The user interface includes minimal distractions, seamless integration with most modern vehicles, and large screen elements that are easy to interact with while driving. If you encounter a problem on the road, reporting is easy and simple. Simply select a category such as traffic, police, accident, accident, map issue or camera, then select a subcategory to provide a more detailed alert.

The Waze app community allows users to verify their account or activate their data while driving in the app, helping the community get more accurate real-time traffic data. With its clean user interface and tons of features, Waze is a must-have app for Android Auto.

Spotify: Music and Podcasts

© speakeste/Shutterstock Spotify app logo on car phone

Good music makes long car journeys shorter, and Spotify has a playlist for everyone, whether it's country ballads, K-pop or Scandinavian death metal. As one of the biggest music streaming apps available, Spotify has a well-integrated Android Auto system. The app can manage playlists, select songs and play Spotify podcasts.

Users can control the app directly from the car's Android Auto screen or use their smartphone as a remote control, allowing rear passengers to DJ while the driver focuses on the road. One drawback is that Android Auto users cannot fast forward or rewind a song, the phone only acts as a controller, the goal of Android Auto is to eliminate distractions. The Android Auto interface can only start a song from the beginning or skip to the next one.

Spotify offers a variety of free and paid plans to suit your needs, including Free, Student, Family, and Premium. The price can be from 10 to 15 dollars per month. If you like to listen to music or podcasts while driving, the combination of Spotify and Android Auto is perfect for keeping a constant stream of your favorite sounds on any journey.

An audible voice

© Bloomberg/Getty Images Audible logo on a smartphone

Audiobooks are a great way to pass the time on long drives or daily commutes. Fiction or non-fiction, audiobooks can be an informative and fun way to learn something new or explore a new world while driving. While there are many audiobook player options, including Google Play Books and Audiobooks, Audible is still the best choice for building a personal audiobook collection.

Android Auto syncs with your phone's Audible account and can play audiobooks and record your surroundings while you drive. The user interface is an optimized version of the smartphone app and doesn't offer all the app controls, but it's easy enough for users to pause, play, and skip chapters.

Because the app is powered by Amazon, Audible has an extensive library of audiobook titles that can be purchased individually or through a subscription program. There are two main subscription models to choose from. The first option costs $15 per month and gives you purchase credit or one audiobook per month. The latter is cheaper at $8 and gives you a larger library of content, but when you cancel your subscription you lose access to all of your library.

With a wide selection and Android integration, Auto Audio is the perfect choice for audiobook lovers who want to learn, explore, discover, reflect or enhance their driving experience.

Smart audio book player

© Jordacher/Getty Images Stack of books with headphones, purple background

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Audible's main attraction is its large library of audiobooks. It has one of the largest online marketplaces and is very easy to register and use. All you have to do is enter your credit card number. But, what about consumers who don't need another product on their leisure credit card account? Smart Audiobook Player is a great option for people who don't need another subscription service.

Unlike Audible, Smart Audiobook Player is an audiobook platform without a marketplace. This means you can access your local library and personal copies of audiobooks downloaded from other marketplaces like the Play Store or CD.

Smart Audiobook Player is free for 30 days, after which you can still use it with advanced features locked behind a paywall. These features include bookmarks for each book, reading speed settings, volume controls, and downloadable cover images. After a 30-day trial, the full version can be unlocked for a one-time fee of $2.00. Both free and paid versions integrate well with Android Auto, allowing users to listen to their favorite audiobooks while on the go.

If you have access to a library of audiobooks, can create your own audiobooks, or don't want to be tied to Audible's subscription model, Smart AudioBook Player is a great affordable option.

Google Podcasts:

© Tada Images/Shutterstock Launch the Google Podcasts app on your phone.

The podcast boom proves that radio never died. Thankfully, that funny half-American, half-British trans-Atlantic chatter associated with old-school radio shows is gone.

Podcasts are a fun and informative way to pass the time in the car. Whatever your interests, fandoms, genres or curiosities, chances are there's a podcast about it. It's like YouTube on your ears.

Android Auto users are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing the right podcast app. Apps like Podcast Addict and Stitcher have advanced features and customization options, but simplicity is key. That's why Google Podcasts' simple and intuitive interface is the best choice for most drivers.

In addition to the largest collection of podcasts available, Google Podcasts is already integrated with your Google account. This means the app can recommend podcasts based on your listening history and preferences, making it easy to find new shows you love.

Google Podcasts is also free. There are no registration fees or subscription fees. Browse and listen without any hidden costs. Ease of use, extensive library, and Google integration make Google Podcasts one of the best podcasts for Android Auto.

TuneIn Radio. News, music and FM

© Stockcam/Getty Images TuneIn Radio app button next to YouTube on phone

There are many local radio apps that can distract you from your traffic and distract you while driving. Morning shows, traffic updates and local news are some of the content you can find on local radio stations. Sometimes you don't want to mess with the radio controls and just want to listen to your favorite radio stations.

Fortunately, you'll find plenty of Android Auto options for listening to local radio on the go. While some radios have their own Android Auto app that you can download at the touch of a button, the home screen can quickly become cluttered. As an all-in-one solution, TuneIn combines multiple functions into one app.

In addition to radio, TuneIn offers news, sports, music and podcasts. In fact, TuneIn has partnered with Audible to add audiobook content. For sports fans, TuneIn offers live streaming of games and matches from around the world. Users can stream NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and college football games live. TuneIn covers international football matches and other sporting events.

If you're looking for a full-featured Android Auto app, TuneIn is a great option. TuneIn Radio offers the widest selection of radio stations from around the world, a variety of entertainment features and a user-friendly interface that's easy to use while keeping your eyes on the road.

iHeart: Music, Radio, Podcasts

© Bloomberg/Getty Images The iHeartRadio logo on a smartphone

iHeartRadio is another complete solution for drivers looking for an integrated Android Auto app. Despite its name, iHeartRadio is not just Apple or iPhone. It offers a wide range of music, radio shows and podcasts from around the world.

It started broadcasting various local radio programs and quickly became one of the most popular online radio platforms. As it has expanded, iHeartRadio has added more music streaming services, radio stations, podcasts and audiobooks to its collection.

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The iHeart app has everything you need for a long drive. The app itself can be controlled from your phone and has a car mode to connect to your car's speakers. However, with Android Auto, users can control everything directly with the touch of the car. Like other Android Auto apps, the interface is simplified, but users can still customize and control what they want from the dashboard.

With plenty of content and easy integration, iHeart is the perfect choice for Android Auto users who want a wide variety of audio systems while driving.

WhatsApp messenger

© r.classen/shutterstock A man holds a phone with a WhatsApp logo in a car

Talking on the phone or texting while driving usually don't go together. Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic accidents, and using your phone to text or make phone calls while driving can be dangerous and even illegal in some areas. Be careful and follow all local laws before using a messaging app or making phone calls in your car.

However, if you need to discuss, Android Auto users have two great options that stand out from the rest in terms of security and functionality. Signal and WhatsApp are the most popular communication apps that support Android Auto. Of the two apps, Signal has the better security record. Many users may not want to use WhatsApp due to many security issues. However, Signal's interface on Android Auto is not as user-friendly as WhatsApp, it has a clean and streamlined interface with many features.

A standout feature of WhatsApp for Android Auto is an AI-powered message reader that keeps users' eyes on the road and reads their messages aloud. When it comes to road safety and functionality, the best way to integrate WhatsApp with Android Auto is that drivers can chat without distraction.

Weather app

© Kaspars Grinvalds/Shutterstock Weather app on a phone in a woman's hand

Depending on where you live, the weather can drastically change driving conditions. From sudden rain to heavy snow, the weather can change quickly and unexpectedly. Having a dedicated weather app with notifications to help you make informed decisions on the road is important to keep you and your passengers safe.

Weather app is a simple solution that syncs well with Android Auto. It includes everything you need and want while driving. In addition to on-screen widgets, the Weather app includes emergency alerts if the weather is dangerous or requires monitoring.

The app's screen is bright and colorful and easy to read, which is especially important when driving. It can also inform users about wind, sunrise and sunset by displaying temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit. The weather app has a unique feature that fetches location data from nearby networks, allowing you to check the weather even in remote areas where GPS signals are not available.

Whether you're planning a long road trip or driving to work, access to smart weather systems is an important safety feature. The weather app integrated with Android Auto provides a simple and easy-to-use interface to keep you informed about what's on the road, stay informed and stay safe on the road.

Loading port

© Blue Planet Studio/Shutterstock Electric car charging station

Electric vehicles (EVs) need energy in the same way that an engine needs fuel. ChargePoint, as the name suggests, is a must-have app for any electric vehicle driver. It helps drivers find charging stations anywhere, and integration with Android Auto makes it easy to navigate to charging stations on the go.

In addition to Android Auto, the ChargePoint app offers additional useful features for EV drivers. For example, it acts as an electronic wallet and can be used to make payments at various charging points. This universal payment option works independently of the terminal's payment system, which is especially practical as many charging stations are automated.

ChargePoint also collects and tracks some valuable data to help optimize charging habits. The app can monitor charging frequency and provide automatic reminders when the car needs charging. It can even help with automatic charging around the house, so your car isn't charging during peak hours, which can actually save you money on your electric bills.

ChargePoint has an extensive electric vehicle charging network with over 226,000 networked charging ports. Thanks to ChargePoint, electric vehicle drivers can always find a charging station wherever they go.

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