In case your car still has the traditional AM and FM radio installed, then it is about time that you upgrade it with an Android-powered car radio. While a conventional car radio comes with a limited number of features, with an advanced car radio system that runs on the latest Android OS such as Android 9.0, you can easily stream movies online and access various social media apps. With the help of GPS navigation, you can travel more freely to remote areas.
Granted that most brands offer customized sound reactive devices, extra storage space and Bluetooth connectivity, however, there are some specific features and functions that make an android radio more advanced than others.
Since there are a variety of different car radios being sold online and in markets, it can be quite difficult to choose the right type of radio for your car. Nevertheless, on the basis of the functions and features offered by them, you can easily buy one that is within your budget as well.
Whether, you already own one or are planning to buy one in the future, following are some key factors that you need to know about an android car radio:
Table of Contents
Memory and Storage Space
Unlike conventional car radio systems, Android 9.0 systems are technologically advanced. They are designed to store data directly in their internal data storage bank. This means that you can store a fixed amount of songs in the radio based on the storage space of your system.
Therefore, you need to invest in such a car radio that has enough space to store all the songs that you wish to download and save. Also, some android radios also come with a 16GB and 32GB micro SD card slot to increase the storage capacity of the device.
Integration of Conventional AM and FM Frequency
While selecting an android radio for your car, it is better to opt for one that can be integrated with a traditional AM and FM car radio. A conventional car radio will help you to remain updated with your local weather and traffic updates. Some android radios are designed to pick up AM and FM frequencies as well.
Using a Wi-Fi-enabled Radio System
Today, everything runs on the internet. Therefore, it is extremely important while buying an android car radio to check whether the system is Wi-Fi enabled or not. With the internet, you can easily check for weather updates.
GPS Navigation
Many car android radio systems come with a GPS navigation system which can be extremely helpful if you travel a lot, especially to new or remote areas.
Voice User Interface
Adjusting your radio system manually while driving can be extremely risky and unsafe and might cause an accident or an injury.
With the help of the Google Assistant feature available on Android Auto and Apple carplay featuring Siri voice control, one can easily focus on your driving and stay away from any kind of distractions. In order to remain safe while driving, it is recommended to look for a car radio that has a voice recognition feature.
Music Streaming Applications and Services
If you don’t like to store your music on storage devices such as a USB device or an SD card and prefer to stream it online instead, then it is better to invest in a radio system that allows app control. Such radio systems play music through streaming apps that are already installed in the phone.
USB and Bluetooth Connection
Despite the fact that many android car radio systems come with a USB connection, some of them require an adaptor in order to function properly. Bluetooth, on the other hand, is a great alternative for a USB device that can be used in many different ways.
Display and User Interface
Ideally, the size of your car radio should be at least 6″ wide. Many car radios come with a simple user interface that is easier to navigate. The controls and fonts in a good car radio should be simpler to avoid car accidents due to the excessive amount of time spent on checking the radio’s screen.
Finding a good and affordable Android radio for your car is not as difficult as it seems. In fact, there are a few simple factors that you need to keep in mind while looking for a radio for your car. This will help you to find a good radio that is within your budget, without spending a lot of time or effort.
