Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are like magic bridges that make your phone’s superpowers work with your car’s brain. Imagine it’s like your car suddenly gains the ability to talk to your phone. While there aren’t many special apps that can do this, some really important stuff, like playing music, finding your way, and making phone calls, works just fine. Google even wants you to use its Assistant with Android Auto, so you don’t have to touch a keyboard and can keep your eyes on the road. But here’s the twist: Some people have had trouble with the sound from Android Auto after a new update.
You see, Android Auto mostly talks to you through sound, like when your car tells you where to turn or when your favorite song plays. But in late August, a bunch of folks started talking about a weird sound problem with Android Auto, like they spilled soda on a radio. They said everything sounded great when they first plugged in their phones to the car with a wire or even without one. But then, after they talked to the Assistant or finished a phone call, the sound turned into a jumbled mess.
And here’s the kicker: One person even said that when they put their car in reverse, that’s when the sound glitch happened. Imagine backing up and hearing weird noises instead of beeping. The people who had this problem found a trick to make it better. They unplugged their phones from the car and plugged them back in. That fixed the sound, but only until they used the Assistant or got another phone call. You can probably guess how frustrating that can be. But guess what? Google doesn’t have a big plan to fix it.
Here’s the thing: Most of the people who had this sound problem were using special car radios that aren’t officially approved by Google. It’s like putting a cool gadget in your car that Google didn’t give the thumbs-up to. According to Google, these gadgets use software called zLink, made by a company called zjinnova, to make Android Auto work. But Google doesn’t like it when people use these unapproved gadgets because they could lose money if people stop buying car radios made by big car companies.
Google has basically said, “We can’t fix this problem, so talk to the people who made your car radio.” But here’s the twist in the story: The sound trouble started when people updated the Android Auto app, not the radio. Google doesn’t seem too eager to make things right. So, if you’re stuck with a noisy car and you’re using Android Auto, the best advice is to go back to an older version of the app, like 9.9. That seems to be the only way to escape the weird sound problem for now.
You might be thinking, “Why is Google being so stubborn about this?” Well, it all comes down to money. Google wants to protect its cash flow, even if it means making things tough for people who just want their cars to play nice with their phones. But let’s keep our fingers crossed that someday, Google will change its tune and fix this annoying sound issue for everyone who’s just trying to enjoy their drive.
Short Pieces of information
It’s unfortunate to hear about the reported issues with audio quality in Android Auto after a recent update. Such problems can be quite frustrating, especially for users who rely on Android Auto for a seamless in-car experience. Here’s some information and advice regarding this situation:
- Bug Reports: If you’ve encountered this issue, it’s important to report it to Google. Providing feedback through the Android Auto app or the Google Play Store can help them identify and fix the problem more effectively.
- Aftermarket Head Units: As you mentioned, the issue seems to primarily affect aftermarket head units that are not certified by Google. These “pirate products” might not be optimized for Android Auto, leading to compatibility issues. If you’re using an aftermarket head unit, contacting the manufacturer for potential firmware updates or support may be a good idea.
- Temporary Fix: If you’re experiencing the audio quality problem, you can try downgrading to an older version of the Android Auto app. However, keep in mind that this is a temporary solution, and it may not work for everyone. You can find older versions of the app through third-party app stores or online forums, but exercise caution when downloading apps from unofficial sources.
- Stay Updated: Keep an eye on Google’s official announcements and Android Auto updates. They may release patches or fixes for the reported issues in future updates. Installing these updates when they become available can help resolve the problem.
- Alternative Solutions: If the problem persists and is causing too much inconvenience, consider alternative solutions like using Bluetooth or USB connections to play audio from your device without relying on Android Auto. While this may not provide the same level of integration, it can help maintain audio quality.
- Community Forums: Check online forums or communities where Android Auto users share their experiences and solutions. Sometimes, fellow users may have discovered workarounds or fixes that could be helpful.
- Patience: Unfortunately, software issues can take some time to be resolved. Be patient and keep an eye out for updates or announcements from Google regarding the audio quality problem.
In the meantime, remember that technology issues can be frustrating, but reporting them and seeking help from the manufacturer or the Android Auto community can often lead to eventual solutions.