Top 10 CarPlay & Android Auto Features in 2025

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are impossible to imagine modern cars without. They not only make your drive safer, but also a lot more fun and easy. Whether you drive a family car, lease car or a compact city car, these smart features take your dashboard to a new level.

In this blog, we take you through the top 10 features that really make a difference - informative, human and with a wink here and there. Because your dashboard may be smart, but that doesn't mean the text has to be dry.

Whether you want to look something up, send a message or start a song, voice assistants make it all possible hands-free. Siri and Google Assistant are deeply integrated into CarPlay and Android Auto.

What can you control hands-free?

• Making and receiving calls

• Sending and receiving text or WhatsApp messages

• Starting, redirecting or restarting navigation

• Get information, such as the weather or your appointments

• Starting playlists or searching for an artist

Thanks to smart noise cancellation, the microphones work even at higher speeds or open windows. Especially on longer trips, it's nice to be able to effortlessly manage your ride without distractions.

A digital assistant behind your dashboard? You already have it - and it listens well, too.

Nothing more personal than music on the go. CarPlay and Android Auto connect to your favorite apps - whether that's Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music or Deezer - so you can always access your vibe of the moment.

What you can listen to on the go:

• Your own playlists and albums

• Podcasts via Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts, among others

• Audiobooks via Audible

• Radio via TuneIn or your own media library

The controls? Via touchscreen, steering wheel buttons or simply with your voice. "Play quiet jazz" or "Continue my podcast" and voila - your dashboard responds instantly.

For those who don't want to use data on the go, the GS Goods CarPlay system offers USB support for external drives or sticks. That way you always have music at your fingertips.

Beeps, pings and push notifications: fun, but not behind the wheel. CarPlay and Android Auto make you accessible in a smart and safe way.

What that looks like?

• Incoming messages are automatically read aloud

• You answer hands-free via voice

• You can link apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram and Signal

• Non-disturbance mode is automatically activated upon movement

You decide which notifications are important. Group apps can be temporarily disabled, while messages from work or family flow through.

And the best part? No fines for phone use - but staying connected in a way that is both safe and efficient.

Today's digital dashboard is clearer than ever. A revamped layout allows you to use multiple apps simultaneously, without having to switch screens.

What do you see at a glance?

• Navigation and arrival time

• The current track or podcast

• Next appointment from your calendar

• Weather information or shortcuts

Modern systems, such as GS Goods' CarPlay dashboard, also give you the option to customize the layout. This allows you to see exactly what you think is important while driving - not what the manufacturer thinks is convenient.

You turn your head for a moment, but you mostly trust your screen. And that's okay, because an integrated rearview camera gives you razor-sharp vision when parking.

What you get with it:

• Wide-angle color and HD image

• Auxiliary lines that move with your handlebars

• Compatibility with parking sensors

• Automatic reverse power on

Do you regularly park in tight spots or crowded neighborhoods? Then this is the feature you're going to love. Especially for larger vehicles or RVs, this really is a lifesaver.

As soon as you get in, your smartphone is connected. No cables, no searching. Bluetooth and optional WiFi connections make everything work within seconds.

Why wireless is ideal:

• Your phone automatically connects to CarPlay or Android Auto

• No wear and tear on charging ports or lost cables

• Combinable with wireless charging for added convenience

• Instant access to all your apps, media and navigation

For those who like minimalist driving: this is a godsend. Combine it with a magnetic phone holder and you have a sleek and wireless dashboard. Extra handy if you leave your smartphone in your bag or jacket pocket - the pairing works automatically anyway.

Thanks to GS Goods' CarPlay system, which is designed for fast connection and stable performance, you'll never have to manually pair or clutter your dashboard with cables again. Convenient for everyday use as well as longer drives.

USB is anything but old-fashioned - in fact, it's your offline lifeline. On a road trip or work trip, sometimes you want to play media without relying on your data bundle or cellular signal.

What can you do with it?

• Listen to offline playlists (e.g. FLAC for high quality)

• Showing movies or videos during breaks (idle only)

• Showing photos or presentations to passengers or customers

Ideal for families: kids' videos on a stick and no complaining in the back seat. For freelancers: quickly show your pitch during a stop. 

GS Goods' CarPlay set supports plug-and-play storage up to 1TB, and you easily browse your files via the touch screen.

SharePlay turns your infotainment system into a social hub. Instead of one person at the helm, everyone in the car can contribute to the playlist or share content - without fumbling with cables.

With a simple QR code, you give others access to the system. This allows them to add songs to the playlist or show vacation photos or videos, for example (only when the vehicle is stationary).

Usage scenario:

You're driving with a group of friends toward a festival. One person shares a live aftermovie from last year, while the other adds songs to the playlist. Everyone is involved; the mood is immediately set.

Or during a work trip: your colleague shows a short video explanation of a project or shares a presentation. No laptop needed, no complicated setup - just your infotainment screen as a shared canvas.

SharePlay makes driving a shared experience. You don't have to choose between control and comfort - you get both.

Aftermarket CarPlay systems are ideal for those who want to make their current car smarter. You don't have to buy a new car or convert everything. Most models, such as the CarPlay system from GS Goods, fit almost any vehicle.

What you need to know:

• Fits dashboards from Peugeot, Ford, Renault, Fiat, VW and more

• Mounting with holder or suction cup - without drilling or sawing

• Connection via the 12V port or USB

Perfect for leased vehicles or if you change cars often. You take the system back to your next vehicle in no time. Smarter driving has never been so accessible.

With CarPlay and Android Auto, you give your car a major upgrade. Without a new car, without a complicated installation. Just a smart step toward greater convenience, safety and driving pleasure.

In this blog, you've read about how each of the 10 features makes your ride more fun and more convenient. From voice-activated navigation to wireless pairing, from screen sharing to offline media - it's all in your dashboard.

Curious? Discover GS Goods' CarPlay system with 10.26-inch screen and experience for yourself how easy the switch to smart driving is.

Which feature will you be the first to try out? And what do you see your ideal connected car looking like? Let us know - and have fun driving!