Do you trust Google Maps blindly? Maybe you get caught in a tragic freefall like this

Do you trust Google Maps blindly? Maybe you get caught in a tragic freefall like this

by with No Comment car updates

By: HT Auto Desk
, updated on: November 25, 2024, 10:37 am

  • Google Maps has been accused of showing incorrect road information in several cases, resulting in major accidents and even deaths.
Google Maps has been accused of showing incorrect road information in several cases, resulting in major accidents and even deaths. (HT_PRINT)

In a tragic incident in Uttar Pradesh, three people died when Google Maps wrongly took their car to an under-construction bridge, causing the vehicle to fall into a river. The incident took place in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday when the victims were on their way to attend a wedding. They were relying on Google Maps to reach the venue, when the GPS took them to an incomplete flyover.

This incident has once again raised questions on the credibility of Google Maps. It is one of the most popular and widely used navigation systems by motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. However, in many cases, navigation systems have been accused of showing incorrect data, resulting in major accidents like the latest one in UP.

Earlier this year, a Ford Endeavor SUV in Telangana literally fell into a canal after Google Maps misled the driver. In another incident, a man in the US lost his life because Google Maps gave him wrong route information, leading him to a broken bridge. Similar incidents have happened all over the world, raising questions on the reliability of this navigation system.

Why can't Google Maps be blindly trusted?

Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze, among other navigation applications, have become an indispensable weapon of the modern driver. These navigation applications make it convenient to navigate to a specific location. Applications like Google Maps help drivers navigate to their destination with turn-by-turn navigation instructions.

However, despite the convenience they bring, the Achilles heel of these navigation applications is the map data. Despite developers trying to make maps as accurate as possible, applications do not always show accurate information. There are disruptions, such as incomplete roads and construction work, that applications may not be fully aware of. Furthermore, despite some applications like Waze offering data crowdsourcing in an effort to make changes in real time, updating map data in real time is still impossible at some point.

In such cases, it is always best to trust the locals rather than blindly trust navigation applications, as verbal information is still more accurate than map data, especially in remote locations.

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First publication date: 25 November 2024, 10:37 am IST

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Uno Minda infotainment review: Adds Android Auto & Apple CarPlay wirelessly

Uno Minda infotainment review: Adds Android Auto & Apple CarPlay wirelessly

by with No Comment Electric vehicles cars

Infotainment systems have become a vital part of cars now. In the past few years, the infotainment system has developed significantly. Because of this, they have become an important factor when making a purchase decision when someone is buying a new car. However, there are still many old cars on the road which have a pretty basic infotainment system.

By: Paarth Khatri
| Updated on: 21 Oct 2023, 17:35 PM

The infotainment system measures 9 inches so it would be able to fit most cars. However, additional fitment might be required depending on the vehicle.

Yes, the after-market is full of infotainment systems but there are very few well-reputed companies that are offering an infotainment system. One such company is Uno Minda, they are best known for supplying parts to OEMs and they have been doing this for several years. Now, they are entering the market with a new infotainment system of their own. It is called WTUNES-649TAACP and yes it is a very typical infotainment name. However, we got to test this new system and here is our review of it.

Uno Minda WTUNES-649TAACP: Runs on Android

The infotainment system measures a good 9 inches so it is still within the driver’s reach. The system runs on an Android system which means that it can possibly run any application that can be used on an Android phone. It comes with a Play Store so the applications can be updated as well as new applications can be installed using Wi-Fi. Apart from this, there is split screen functionality on offer as well. Uno Minda uses a T5 processor so there are no lags or stutters throughout the user interface. It also has 4 GB RAM and 64 GB onboard storage. This means that it can multi-task quite easily and the on-board storage helps in case the driver wants to store a few media items on the system itself.

The latest update of Android Auto can run on a split screen. There can be Google Maps on one side and Spotify on the other. There are voice commands on offer as well.

Uno Minda WTUNES-649TAACP: Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay

Honestly, most people will be using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay on the infotainment system. The best thing about the infotainment system is that it comes with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This means that you need to set it up just once and the next time you start the vehicle, the Android Auto or Apple CarPlay is automatically connected and is ready to go. I tested only Android Auto and it worked fine for the most part, I only faced two issues. The first one is that the touch is not as responsive as the OEM systems while the other one is that the Google Maps do not change the theme automatically. Because of this, the light theme does get annoying while riding at night and vice versa.

Moreover, the manufacturer has configured the system to turn on the hotspot automatically. This might look like a small thing but there are few aftermarket players in which the driver needs to turn on the hotspot manually.

Android Auto also shows the notifications and the driver can hear them and reply to them as well. The music application shown below in the form of a bar so that the driver can change the music anytime he or she wants.

Uno Minda WTUNES-649TAACP: Audio quality

The manufacturer has equipped the infotainment system with a 36-band equalizer which also has presets. The audio quality of the system is also quite good. It also supports an amplifier and a sub-woofer, in case the person plans to fit them. Apart from this, there is also a setting for fader and balance.

Uno Minda WTUNES-649TAACP: Features

Uno Minda has added several features to the infotainment system. It comes with support for the 360-degree camera which will make parking in tight spots very easy if you get the cameras installed. You can also just use the front and rear cameras, it is not necessary to have all four cameras. Apart from this, the infotainment system also comes with in-built support for high-definition cameras. If your car has controls on the steering wheel then that can also connect to the system.

The infotainment system is based on Android so it can theoretically run most of the applications that are available on Google Play Store. There is FM/AM on offer as well.

Then there are some clever features such as the volume automatically lowering when the reverse gear is engaged. Moreover, the brightness automatically turns down and the backlit behind the buttons automatically turns on when the headlamps are switched on. The infotainment system comes with two USB ports that can be used to charge the mobile phone, connect a USB stick to transfer stuff or connect Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. However, we did notice that the battery would start falling while using these USB ports because they are not rated for high output.

Uno Minda WTUNES-649TAACP: Verdict

The MRP on the box of the unit is ₹34, 990. However, depending on the seller, there is a possibility that a person ends up paying less. One important thing to note is that the fitment of the system is not very simple. I had to get new housing for the AC vents so that the infotainment system would fit. However, this depends on the car that the person is using. Then there is the additional cost of the panel and fitting that a person might have to consider. Having said that, fitting an infotainment is a one-time job so if you are planning to keep a car for a long time and want the convenience of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, the WTUNES-649TAACP from Uno Minda is a great option.

First Published Date: 21 Oct 2023, 17:35 PM IST


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