Android Auto is the solution that Google has created for the assistance to the driver in the equipment compatible with the assistant. The problem is that Android Auto compatibility is limited to vehicles launched from 2016 and 2017. Something similar happens with radio and navigation equipment, which forces us to turn to the mobile phone to make use of the Google ecosystem. Luckily, there are external solutions that we can install in the car to have Android Auto without reaching for the phone . This time we have compiled several of these devices.
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Sony XAVAX100, Amazon's most popular radio
With over 700 reviews and an average rating of 4 1/2 stars, the Sony XAVAX100 is the best-selling Android Auto compatible radio on the platform . It is also one of the most expensive models of the company: 500 euros with shipping costs including management and direct distribution from Amazon.
As for the technical characteristics of radio features a 6.4 - inch touch screen and four outputs sound DSO of no less than 55 W . The maximum brightness level is 400 nits, something unusual for this type of device. The good thing is that it is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Unfortunately, it has its own operating system, so we cannot use applications independent of the phone. There is a variant with a built-in CD player, although its price is much higher and, therefore, less recommended.
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Atoto SA102 Starter, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
This Atoto option comes as a cross-platform solution compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay . Based on a 2 DIN system, it has a 7-inch touch screen. It is also compatible with the car's music playback functions. In fact, its standard design makes it easy to install the module in any car with an integrated radio.
Of course, it has a Bluetooth connection to synchronize the information of the phone with the radio, as well as a port that allows us to connect a parking assistance camera at the rear of the vehicle . Its price is 169 euros on Amazon, with an average score of 5 stars.
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Ankeway 2020, a radio with full Android
If we are looking for a more economical solution as well as a complete one, the latest Ankeway model is one of the best radios we can buy on Amazon. First, for its price, about 107 euros with shipping costs included . And second, for having Android Pie 9.0, with all the advantages that this entails.
The radio has a 7-inch touch screen with Full HD resolution. Like the Atoto model, it is based on a 2 DIN system, which allows it to be installed in any vehicle with standard measurements. For the rest, it has 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage , more than enough to install applications such as Android Auto, Google Maps, Waze or YouTube.
In addition to being compatible with the Steering Wheel Controls (SWC), it supports the installation of cameras for driving assistance. To enjoy all its advantages, however, it is recommended to use a SIM card with data or a WiFi bridge to supply the network to the radio, since it is a totally independent device from our mobile phone.
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Joyx Navi, with Android 10 and 32 GB of internal memory
The Joyx model is one of the most complete options that we can find on the market today. Like the Ankeway 2020, it has a full version of Android; specifically Android 10 , the latest stable version from Google. It also has twice the capacity of the previous model: 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage . Of course, like the previous model, we will have to use a SIM with mobile data or a bridge with the mobile network of our phone to supply Internet to the radio.
This increase in RAM also brings with it the possibility of using two applications at the same time in split screen, according to the manufacturer itself. And yes, it supports both the steering wheel control functions (volume, song change ...) and the installation of an external camera for driving assistance . At Amazon, its price is 138 euros, with direct management from Amazon.
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Konifo, the cheapest radio you can buy with Android
Probably the cheapest solution to install Android Auto in the car. Its price on Amazon does not exceed 80 euros (79.99 euros to be exact). As is the case with most of the models that we have just mentioned, the radio is distributed by Amazon , which gives us some security when it comes to processing the warranty.
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If we stick to its technical characteristics, the Konifo radio incorporates a 7-inch touch screen, as well as a quad-core processor and Android Oreo 8.1 as the base system . Unfortunately, the manufacturer has not specified the amount of RAM and ROM available. The good news is that it has three USB, SD and auxiliary ports to connect any external storage and sound device. It also has a GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth module in version 4.0.
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