Starting version 3.7.6 HUDWAY Go can be used with CarPlay — making it more comfortable to view directions on your car built-in display.
As you may now, in iOS 12 Apple has eventually allowed third-party navigation app developers to implement CarPlay support in their apps.
CarPlay is a multifunctional software system for car’s built-in displays which takes iPhone out of driver’s hands while letting them stay connected behind the wheel (learn more about CarPlay on Apple’s website). In other words, it’s made for not using iPhone while driving and keeping the driver focused on the road.
We at HUDWAY focus on solutions that serve the same goal: to minimize distraction from a smartphone while driving and thus contribute to driving safety. No wonder, we immediately leapt at the opportunity to add CarPlay support!
Now, let’s see how it works.
CarPlay is available on select cars only. So first, make sure yours is among them. There should be CarPlay logo on your car display interface, or a Voice Assistant button on the steering wheel.
Connecting to Carplay
Apple provides detailed instructions on how to set up your iPhone with CarPlay, highlighting that iPhone can be connected wirelessly or using a cable.
We recommend that you opt for a wired connection when you’re using a navigation app. Please make sure that the cable is Apple’s original — otherwise the quality of the audio transmitted may be inferior.
After you have connected your iPhone to Carplay, you’ll see its Home Screen with the list of compatible apps, HUDWAY Go among them.
You can launch HUDWAY Go either on your iPhone, or on CarPlay. The screens will work in parallel, so that in fact you can lock your iPhone and control the app on CarPlay exclusively.
Address search and routes
On the right, there are map controls: you can drag and zoom the map, or quickly refocus to the current location.
Tap Search and select the option that suits you.
If you have previous search history with HUDWAY Go on your iPhone, it will be available on CarPlay, too.
Supposing, you need to get to LAX airport from LA downtown. Select Categories and then Airports.
The app will show you all the airports nearby. Select the needed airport to have the route created.
If the needed destination doesn’t appear in the list (in this case, the list of airports nearby), go back to the Search screen and select to enter address. Then enter your destination — for example, Los Angeles airport, or just its official code, LAX.
Then tap the destination found to create a route.
The route will be accessible both on your iPhone, and on CarPlay. Route duration and distance, ETA, as well as estimated fuel consumption and cost will also be displayed.
When alternative routes are available, select Alternatives and then switch between suggested routes to view their details:
Driving and trip statistics
Once you have decided on which route you’ll take, tap the green Let’s go button. The app will start downloading the maps and getting them ready.
When you’ve started driving with HUDWAY Go, you can follow the route both on your iPhone, and on CarPlay, but a 3D high-contrast route view will be displayed on CarPlay, whereas on your iPhone you will see a detailed map and trip info:
All other screens for CarPlay are made фccordingly to Apple’s requirements to CarPlay-supporting apps. However, we split the way information is displayed on smartphone and CarPlay during the ride, because our specially designed 3D route UI is easier and quicker to grasp than a detailed map. Therefore, the driver is focused on the most important things only and will spend less time diverting their eyes off the road.
A few other tips
During the trip, you can tap the car display to see the trip menu where you can finish the trip or enable disable voice hints.
After you finish the trip, the app will show you the trip statistics — on your smartphone.
Then you can also start a new trip, or drive in FreeRide mode where you don’t need to set a destination, but will see nearby roads and street names.
Hope you’ll love using HUDWAY Go on CarPlay :) We welcome your feedback at support@hudway.co.
PS. Here are the links to download the app for your iPhone or Android device.
Kirill Frolov
Software architect
HUDWAY
