I had another usb cable wear out just this weekend and it got me thinking

  • CameronDev@programming.dev
    38·
    21 hours ago

    Android Auto uses 5GHz WiFi direct, so your headunit needs to support that. If your headunit only supports 2.4GHz, you’ll be a bit out of luck.

    Spotify streaming may be okay with the 2.4GHz or even just plain Bluetooth.

    • Carl@anarchist.nexusEnglish
      20·
      20 hours ago

      This is also why those USB dongles can allow you to connect wirelessly. It’s essentially just a 5GHz antenna plugged into your car’s USB port.

    • diablicja@lemmy.zipOP
      41·
      20 hours ago

      My car has its own SIM card, why does it need to connect to my phone anyway?

      Edit: I mean directly

      • CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        11·
        19 hours ago

        Android auto/Apple CarPlay is screen mirroring. The apps run on your phone, not the car.

        The benefit is that all the app and OS updates your phone receives are reflected in the Android auto experience, without needing the vehicle manufacturer to constantly ship updates and provide support for the head unit of your car for years after it’s originally manufactured.

      • PonyOfWar@pawb.social
        12·
        20 hours ago

        Using a cellular connection for that would be very slow, laggy and unreliable. It would also use a ton of data, which someone would have to pay for.

      • CameronDev@programming.dev
        8·
        20 hours ago

        A number of reasons:

        • uses a lot of data (car data plans are often pretty low)
        • relatively slow compared to 5GHz
        • coverage, you ideally want your navigation and music to keep playing even if you go out of range