Latest news with #AndroidAuto
Gizmodo
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Gizmodo
This Portable Wireless CarPlay Screen Is 44% Off, Amazon Is Clearing Out Stock Once and For All
Prime Day is not all about upgrading your home tech, it's the perfect time to upgrade your car in a big way too. Amazon has cut a premium portable wireless CarPlay / Android Auto car stereo to a new all-time low, dropping it by 44% to just $44 (down from $79). This is such a great deal that it's a no-brainer to give your car's infotainment system an upgrade, especially if your vehicle didn't come with CarPlay or Android Auto from the factory. See at Amazon For $44, this 7-inch HD touchscreen stereo brings modern connectivity to any car, truck, van or even RV. The unit is compatible with any vehicle that has a standard 12V to 24V power supply so you do not need to worry about compatibility or complicated installations. You do not need to tear apart your dash or mess with your vehicle's original radio: just use the included adjustable self-adhesive mount and stick the screen to your dash. The mount also has a 90-degree flexibility adjustment which allows you to put the screen at the perfect angle and remove it easily whenever you want. It also provides full support for both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Connecting your smartphone is straightforward as you just have just pair it via Bluetooth and WiFi or connect via a USB cable. Once you're hooked up, you'll have instant access to your go-to music, navigation apps, messages and hands-free calls, all of which can be operated using the responsive touchscreen or voice command. With Siri and Google Assistant integration, you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, making each drive more convenient and safer. The 7-inch HD display offers clear images so you can follow directions in real time with no confusion. Voice-led turn-by-turn navigation is delivered through your car speakers, offering timely route suggestions for traffic and lane changes. The package also includes an adjustable backup camera with a long cable which is a great help when reversing or parking in a crowded area. The camera provides a good rear view of your vehicle and can be adjusted by up to 180 degrees for the best angle. The stereo has several output options: you can use its own speakers, stream audio via Bluetooth to your vehicle's system, or use the AUX port or FM transmitter to connect. Whether you prefer to hear music through the stereo itself or want to keep on using your car's factory sound system, this unit is adaptable to your needs. If you want to give your car's dashboard an affordable update, this Prime Day deal is tough to pass up. See at Amazon
The Verge
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Verge
Spotify can now Jam with Android Auto.
Spotify can now Jam with Android Auto. Google first announced an overhauled Spotify app for Android Auto back at I/O 2025, and 9to5Google reports that it's now arrived. Spotify Premium users can start Jam sessions in their cars, allowing even free users to join in and add songs to a shared queue.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Spotify just dropped ‘Jam', its most social in-car feature yet for Android Auto
Spotify has started rolling out a major update to its Android Auto app, introducing a refreshed design and new functionality aimed at improving the in-car music experience. Among the most notable additions is support for 'Jam,' the group listening feature first announced at Google I/O 2025. Spotify's new 'Jam' feature lets passengers add songs on Android Auto via QR code.(Pixabay) 'Jam' makes road trip playlists a group effort With the latest update, version 9.0.58.596 for Android, Spotify now lets drivers host a shared playback session directly from their car's display. The feature, called Jam, allows passengers to scan a QR code and instantly join a group session, adding tracks to the music queue in real time. While the host retains full control over playback and guest management, the feature is designed to make road trips and group drives more interactive. 'This makes collaborative listening seamless while on the move,' Spotify noted in a press release earlier this year. The company had hinted at deeper Android Auto integrations back in May, and the current update seems to deliver on that promise. Offline playback and smarter search for better connectivity The update also brings more practical changes, particularly for users driving through areas with poor connectivity. A new 'Downloaded' tab now sits prominently within the in-app Library, making it easier to find music available offline. Tracks that are already downloaded are also now visibly marked while browsing playlists or albums, ensuring users don't have to guess what's accessible without a signal. In addition to the design tweaks, Spotify has added a floating Search button that launches a dedicated search screen, something previously unavailable in Android Auto. Until now, users had to rely solely on Google Assistant for music searches, which would start playback instantly without showing results. With this change, users can now browse and choose tracks manually, much like the mobile app experience. Refined UI for safer navigation This update also brings UI improvements across the app, offering a more streamlined interface for safer in-car navigation. This update is the first major sign of Google's recently announced plans to give media apps more flexibility within Android Auto. Google has also confirmed that Amazon Music and YouTube Music will adopt these enhanced Android Auto capabilities in the near future, with similar updates expected for other media apps in the coming months. The Spotify update is now live via the Google Play Store and is gradually rolling out to eligible users.
Android Authority
a day ago
- Automotive
- Android Authority
Spotify Jam comes to Android Auto so your whole car can DJ
Google TL;DR Spotify's latest Android Auto update brings the Jam feature to car displays, letting friends join in and contribute music. The feature allows passengers to join a shared music queue by scanning a QR code on the in-car screen. The latest update for Spotify on Android Auto also improves offline listening and adds a floating search button for easier access. Spotify's Android Auto app just got an important upgrade, adding the popular Jam feature to the in-car experience. Jam allows multiple Spotify users to listen together in real time and is now available directly from Spotify's Now Playing screen on Android Auto. When music is playing, the Android Auto display shows a QR code that passengers can scan to join the Jam session and add tracks to the shared queue. The driver acts as the host and retains control of the Jam session, with the ability to remove any contributors at any time. This marks the first time Spotify Jam is available on a car interface. Spotify previously made Jam available to desktop users. It's also important to note that you need to be a Spotify Premium subscriber to start or host a Jam. However, free users can join and add songs to the Jam. Google announced the Android Auto redesign for Spotify as part of its new in-car experiences at I/O 2025, and confirmed the feature will also arrive on vehicles with Google built-in at a later stage. Apart from Jam, the redesigned Spotify app on Android Auto also brings some other enhancements, including a more prominent 'Downloads' section to make offline playback easier, especially useful when driving through areas with poor connectivity. There's also a new floating Search shortcut that gives users quicker access to Spotify's search interface. All of these features are reportedly (via 9to5Google) part of Spotify's latest update — version 9.0.58.596 — which rolled out to Android users just a few days ago. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system review: Is it a value-for-money device for your car?
Qubo Dashplay Ultra is the flagship infotainment system of the company. Check Offers The modern car-buying experience is drastically different from what it was a decade ago. Gone are the days when cars were seen as just a means of going from one point to another. For the new age consumers, a car is more than just a vehicle for commuting or going places. Also, keeping pace with the evolving consumer mindset, the focus has shifted a lot to the in-car amenities and features. When it comes to in-car experiences, infotainment systems play a highly crucial role in defining that. Almost all the cars, whether in the entry-level segment or the high-end cars, have been experimenting with touchscreen infotainment systems. While the new cars arriving on the market come with pre-installed touchscreen infotainment systems from the OEMs, some of the cars' base trims and older cars lack these systems. Owners seeking to experience the infotainment systems in these cars have the opportunity to use aftermarket devices. There are tons of companies in the market that offer touchscreen infotainment systems. Qubo, famous for its range of dashcams, has entered the segment of aftermarket infotainment systems, with its Dashplay series. Available in three variants - Ultra, Pro and Standard- it challenges some of the big names in the market. HT Auto got the Qubo Dashplay Ultra touchscreen infotainment system to review, and here are our findings. Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system: Design and user interface The Qubo Dashplay Ultra touchscreen infotainment system comes with a metal body that makes it sturdy. Speaking of other specifications, it runs on the Android OS and is powered by a quad-core 1.5 GHz Processor Ultra with an advanced GPU. The unit comes with 4 GB DDR3 RAM and 64 GB ROM. It connects with external networks via 2.5G and 5G dual band WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4. It offers wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The head unit has a 9.0-inch 720p QLED display resolution, and it can play 1080p 30 fps full HD videos. Thankfully, one feature to mention is the adaptive screen backlighting. When the car is on the run or the ignition is on, the device automatically dims the backlight, which means the visibility of the driver is not impacted. This is one of the key functionalities that are lacking in many aftermarket infotainment systems. It has a split-screen display, which allows the user to access multiple features simultaneously. Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system offers a flawless navigation experience. Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system: Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay The Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system comes offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. While we didn't test the Android Auto, the Apple CarPlay connectivity feature was tested thoroughly. The first time was the only time we had to go through the setup process, and from the next time onwards, the device connected to the iPhone effortlessly. The experience with the wireless Apple CarPlay was good enough to give it a thumbs up. However, it seemed that using wired Android Auto or Apple CarPlay is quite a tussle. If someone doesn't want to play music using wireless functionality and opts for the wired feature, he or she may find this problematic. In the car where we tested the device, the USB socket from the OEM was not compatible with the head unit. A separate USB adapter was required to be installed to ensure the OEM-provided USB socket received power, but even after that, it was of no use to play songs from a pen drive or the mobile directly. Instead, I had to rely on the Qubo-provided USB socket to play music from the pen drive. This was one of the challenges of using the infotainment unit flawlessly. Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system: Audio quality & mic functionality The Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system comes with TruAMP and a 48-band equaliser, which gets presents. The audio quality was good, and it supports a 4.1 audio channel with subwoofer support. Despite being an aftermarket device, the Qubo Dashplay Ultra synchronised well with the steering controls. Another problem we faced while testing the device was that the head unit didn't synchronise with the car's own roof-mounted mic. The infotainment unit has its own mic, but the distance between the driver and it is slightly longer than the distance between the OEM's roof-mounted mic and the driver. Besides that, the reception of the head unit's mic was also not strong enough for the person on the other end of the call to hear properly during phone calls. This forced us to install an external mic. It was a technical flaw of the device. Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system has support for a 360-degree surround camera setup, which is a great functionality to ensure safe parking in tight spaces. Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system: Dashcam and reverse camera support One of the key features of the device is the support for a 360-degree surround camera, which is a great functionality to ensure safe parking in tight spaces. With the increasing popularity of 360-degree cameras even in the aftermarket accessory segment, if anyone wants to install the system, this device offers compatibility with that, which is certainly a key USP of the Qubo infotainment unit. However, this feature couldn't be tested since the test car has no such camera system installed. The device also comes with support for full HD dual recording as well as a reverse camera. Qubo claims that for the reverse camera, the head unit comes with AHD 720p/1080p support. At ₹ 44,990, the Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system is a great option for a car that lacks the infotainment unit from the OEM. Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system: Verdict At a sticker price of ₹ 44,990, the Qubo Dashplay Ultra infotainment system is actually a pretty good aftermarket device for a car that lacks the infotainment unit from the OEM. The installation of the device may require a separate frame to ensure there are no gaps in the fittings. However, that may depend on the car the user has. Fitting the device is a one-time job, and if anyone wants to keep it for a long time and experience the convenience of wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, the Qubo Dashplay Ultra seems perfect. However, it comes with some technical flaws, but that can be overlooked if the user is not too keen about every minuscule detail. First Published Date: 06 Jul 2025, 15:53 PM IST
