Nearly three years after it first launched the Apple CarPlay motorcycle in 2017, Honda announced today that the Android version of the Gold Wing bikes will be available by June of this year.
Riders now don't have to be picky about the phone they need to use while they cruise. In a memo released today, May 13, Honda said that its current Gold Wing bikes that were released after 2018 will get Android Auto support by mid-June, according to a report from Engadget.
While it will not be a huge breakaway, it will allow bikers to navigate in Google Maps or stream YouTube Music while their phones are safely kept away.
Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google LLC to support driving, which requires an Android smartphone with Android 5.0 or later. Users also need to have a Bluetooth headset to use the app in the Gold Wing.
The app is a safe way to use smartphones while driving a motorcycle. It has a simple, voice-activated interface to minimize distractions while driving. With the Google Assistant on Android Auto, riders can "stay focused, connected, and entertained" while they focus on the road with both hands on the handlebar.
According to the memo, Honda's integration of Android Auto with the current-model Gold Wing would allow riders with Android phones to seamlessly enjoy apps like music, phone calls, and messaging.
Both Android Auto and CarPlay will be introduced to more bikes in the future, so this will not be a rare upgrade. Either way, this shows how Google is keen to propagate Android Auto to wider venues. After all, Harley-Davidson and BMW are now delivering Android Auto updates, so riders don't need to be concerned about whether a potential new ride will suit their phone well.
Honda's flagship moto
The Gold Wing series has been Honda's flagship model for over four decades since its GOLDWING GL1000 went on sale in North America in 1975. In October 2017, the Gold Wing became the world's first motorcycle with Apple CarPlay integration, according to the company's internal research. This new feature requires a Bluetooth headset.
While most automakers adopted Apple's CarPlay in their cars where it only works with screens, Honda changed the market when it rolled out the new edition of its Gold Wing touring motorcycle with an additional feature--iPhone-porting service.
To use the CarPlay in the new bike model, a non-touch-sensitive 7-inch LCD is mounted on the dash. According to Road Show, riders will have to plug their iPhone in via USB in the trunk or a gas tank compartment.
They would need to connect a Bluetooth headset, which is an Apple requirement, to activate CarPlay. Once done pairing, they can navigate through features via left handlebar buttons or using a keypad on top of the gas tank, which is quite awkward.
The 2018 Gold Wing was sold at a starting price of $23,500. Interestingly, the 2020 model is being sold at $23,800. Watch the video of the 2020 Honda GL 1800 Gold Wing Black as posted by New Cars.
The bike's navigation features have improved the riding experience with related apps and have been well-received by many customers. Thus, Honda plans to integrate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to more models to bring more comfort and convenience to riders worldwide.
