If you’re talking an Android tablet/headunit, separate from Android Auto, that makes sense… But Android Auto is essentially a simplified interface for specific apps installed on your phone, and is generally quicker and safer than using the phone interface. No one here is arguing for a separate android console interface, so I’m not sure we’re talking about the same things. The whole point of Android Auto is to take a separate interface and OS out of the equation and to allow you to use your phone as the brain.

What apps were you hoping for it to support?

I am not sure how it could be much more intuitive, at least from a touch screen perspective. It’s just a touch interface with an app drawer, nothing much more to it than that. However, if it wasn’t a touch screen I could believe it not being very nice to use, as I have a friend that has an Audi that does CarPlay but the screen isn’t touch, so he had to use physical buttons to use the interface. THAT is definitely not good.

As for the apps, I use Signal, WhatsApp, Messages, Spotify, YT Music, Waze, and Google Maps and they all support AA, so at least for my purposes it does what I need from a car apps interface standpoint.

The main argument I have against just phone + bluetooth is that you have to unlock your screen, keep it on, and it’s a smaller size. I have wireless android auto set up, along with a magsafe case+charger, so my routine is to get in the car, slap the phone on the charger, and everything just comes up on my head unit display. For me it is way more convenient than having to deal with my phone display, and the larger screen is also better for navigation.

I have yet to hear any real negative points against AA or CarPlay for that matter, mostly it comes down to preferences like yours rather than actual interface issues.

I am curious why you think that? My reasons for liking it are the fact that it essentially just works, and gives me a consistent UI across multiple vehicles. What are your issues with it?