Despite the critical content I often write about Android Auto, I have a deep fondness for Google’s phone-to-car mirroring service. Whether I’m dropping my partner off at work, going on a long road trip, or nipping to the shop in a foreign town, Auto keeps me entertained, helps me communicate with loved ones, and aids navigation while driving. The experience isn’t flawless, though, especially when focusing on that latter use case.
Google Maps is a mostly reliable and robust mapping application on Android, but its problems become apparent when used through Android Auto. Beyond its often questionable navigation suggestions, its UI frequently disrupts and distracts in an environment where information should be as legible as possible. This issue stems from Google’s reluctance to give drivers more UI control.
