Android software that is as good as siri to use in my car.

[Android Central Question]

Is there a Android app that is as good as Siri.

I am buying a new car and you can use Siri while driving to dictate a text message and you then say send.

 

[chanchan05]

Yes, Google Assistant. Consensus in the tech world that it's already miles better than Siri, and Alexa has also already overtaken Siri, and Bixby has caught up in quality and can actually do more things.

 

[hallux]

Depending on the setup "using Siri" might actually be Apple CarPlay. If that's the case, Android Auto is what you'd be looking for.

 

[methodman89]

Android would have to dumb down Google assistant to make it as good as sori

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! See this to learn how to use Google Assistant to send a text: https://assistant.google.com/services/a/uid/0000005cd4fdc7d3?hl=en-US

 

[bob bobbington1]

Depending on the setup "using Siri" might actually be Apple CarPlay. If that's the case, Android Auto is what you'd be looking for.

Do not use android auto unless you want a bunch of headaches.

 

[Almeuit]

Do not use android auto unless you want a bunch of headaches.

I literally use it every single time I drive in my truck. No headaches. All is well .

 

[B. Diddy]

Curious, what kind of headaches? When I've used it in rentals, it's been great. So much better than trying to use my phone screen for nav.

 

[hallux]

Do not use android auto unless you want a bunch of headaches.

Like the others - what headaches?

You'll need to elaborate on these issues.

 

[bob bobbington1]

Read the thousands of posts of people having issues over on the google forums. Mine has not worked right since May 2017. Heres a short list of what it does:

Connect phone via USB, starts android auto. Locks up. Must unplug the phone and once had to shut the truck off and restart it to get the radio and anything else back.

Start navigation. Seemingly works fine till your down the road 10 minutes then vehicle screen turns completely black, then the bottom AA icons appear, then white blank navigation screen, then loads roads and names, then locates you again in 2D view, then resumes your route in 3D like nothing happened. It then does this every 2-5 minutes of black screen restarts.

When attempting to send a text it goes like this:
Me: OK google
AA: (ba-ding noise) What would you like me to help you with
Me: Text john doe
AA: OK what do you want to say?
me: (ex What time do you get of work today?
AA: ok i got "want to say what time do you get off work today?" - do you want to send it or change it (ba-dink noise)
me: send it
AA: Im sorry i didnt understand that do you want to send it or change it (endless loop)

That happens every damn text - notice it added itself to the beginning of my text like its listening too soon. I can get it to send if i start saying "send it send it send it" while its talking after my text because its listening for my response too soon and hears itself talking.

 

[bob bobbington1]

Lets see what else - start AA say, say "ok google" (ba-ding noise then 10 sec of spinning circles) then error message saying voice commands arent available right now and once that happens AA crashes and keeps crashing for the day. Let it sit overnight magically works next day.

Sometimes takes up to 10 unplug and replug USB attempts to get the vehicles to recognize the phone.


Ive tried every update uninstall reinstall google, google play, AA, and any and all updates, allowing all permissions, etc no help.

It works fine outside of the vehicle just by itself.

 

[bob bobbington1]

I have tried this on the following:
Three 2017 Silverados
Two 2018 Silverados
2018 Tahoe
2018 GMC Acadia
2017 Impala

Every single one screws up and i test every single USB port in them using 5 different USB cables I have shortest being 6in longest being 6feet and no difference.
May 2017 it was working flawless with my phone and my 2017 Silverado (its been in the shop alot hence all the loaner cars) then AA updated and very next day instant problems ever since and every update makes another problem crop up and make existing problems worse.
I have factory reset my phone (LG M210 Aristo running Android V7.0) twice with no help.
people are reporting identical problems in thier Hondas, Kia, Hyundai, VW, Skoda, Chevy, GMC, Cadilac, volvo all from 2016-2018's. You cannot tell me its just my phone cable or vehicle when that many people across a huge spectrum of vehicles and phones and cables have the same issues.

I do not have the error where AA gets more and more pixelated the longer it is on.

So there - theres a whole host of other problems people are having as well. Also they've become nanny and only allow you 6 pokes of the screen while in motion.

Dont worry though! Instead of fixing the above problems their working on changing the background color and adding more icons.

 

[bob bobbington1]

Sorry i had to split it up - apparently i had a refrence about money or had an external link in there? can i not mention a certian forum pertaining to a company with two "oo" in its name that starts with a G and ends with gle?

 

[hallux]

I haven't experienced any of that, but I'm also not connecting to an in-dash screen.

The only "issue" I have is that when it connects to the Bluetooth device with the screen locked it sometimes doesn't unlock automatically to display AA, and it takes a little while to detect the Bluetooth device is disconnected in order to shut down AA...

 

[bob bobbington1]

I haven't experienced any of that, but I'm also not connecting to an in-dash screen.

The only "issue" I have is that when it connects to the Bluetooth device with the screen locked it sometimes doesn't unlock automatically to display AA, and it takes a little while to detect the Bluetooth device is disconnected in order to shut down AA...

Yea mine works OK without connecting to a car but once again whats the point? Be like having the greatest computer in the world that cant connect to the internet...

Im currently trying yet another looney fix by disabling battery saver mode - it was already cleared to allow full power to android auto in the past but maybe some stupid play services or google services needs to also hog everything to work. Who knows im tired of being a guinea pig.

 

[B. Diddy]

Ok, fair enough. I admit that I don't use Android Auto on a constant basis (since my daily driver doesn't have AA integration) -- my experience has been with my wife's Audi A3 e-tron and various rental cars. It may be a hassle, but hopefully you've given all of that feedback to Google (via the Android Auto menu's Help & Feedback option). Although it's natural to think that nobody will listen, there's probably no better way to let them know about the bugs.

For the original question, it's still worth trying the basic Google Assistant commands for texting (and not through AA).

 

[bob bobbington1]

Ill have to try it. Like i said its been Fubared since May 2017 after some stupid update (of course its mandatory and wont let you downgrade). I've submitted so many reports and bug logs and come on - well over a year and not a fix yet? Bah... proof noone cares. Spoke with several dealers about this seeking advice and they said its within the app itself not vehicles or phones so they dont know what to tell customers besides wait n see if they fix it... Google already got their money from the various car manufactures to use and advertise Android Auto so whats their goal to fix it?

Ill try google assistant and see what that does.

 

[hallux]

Yea mine works OK without connecting to a car but once again whats the point? Be like having the greatest computer in the world that cant connect to the internet...

In my case - my vehicle doesn't have a radio capable of displaying Android Auto so I don't have a choice.