4 apps with special car modes for safer driving

Driving safety shouldn't be compromised by smartphone distractions. Distracted driving is a serious issue, claiming numerous lives daily. While smartphones aren't the sole culprit, their misuse behind the wheel significantly contributes to the problem. Voice control offers a safer alternative, allowing hands-free operation of various apps.

[Related: Keeping your phone from distracting you while driving]

Here's how several popular apps enhance the driving experience with voice commands:

Spotify:

Spotify's new "Hey, Spotify" voice command (currently rolling out) enables hands-free music control. Simply say "Hey Spotify, play..." followed by your desired artist, song, album, genre, or playlist. Enable this feature by tapping Search, then the microphone icon. To disable it, access Settings (cog icon), then Voice interactions.

Spotify also offers a Car View mode—a simplified interface for easier readability while driving. This activates automatically when a Bluetooth connection to a car stereo is detected. For automatic activation, go to Settings (cog icon), then Car and Car view (iOS) or Switch to car mode (Android). Manual activation isn't currently supported for wired connections.

Amazon Music:

Amazon Music utilizes Alexa for hands-free control. Say "Alexa..." followed by your command. Alternatively, tap the Alexa icon (bottom right of the 'now playing' screen). Alexa understands various commands, including playing songs, albums, artists, and playlists, even filtering by mood or past listening history.

A dedicated Car Mode interface with larger buttons and album art is also available. Like Spotify, it automatically launches via Bluetooth, but unlike Spotify, you can manually activate it via Settings (cog icon), then Car Mode. Alexa commands function within Car Mode.

Google Maps:

Google Assistant's integration into Google Maps' navigation mode (Android only) provides voice-activated commands. Enable it in the Google app under More, Settings, Google Assistant, Transport, and Driving mode.

Say "Hey Google" followed by your command. This allows for hands-free calling, texting, and message reading ("Hey Google, read my messages"). Familiar Google Nest music commands (playing songs, albums, artists, adjusting volume, skipping tracks) also work, using your default music app.

Apple Maps:

Siri is readily available across all apps. To enable "Hey Siri" activation, go to iOS Settings, then Siri & Search, and turn on the Listen for "Hey Siri" toggle.

Siri supports various commands, including calling, texting ("call..." or "send a message to..."), reading texts and emails ("Hey Siri, read my texts" or "Hey Siri, check my emails"), playing music, and obtaining navigation instructions and ETAs ("what's my ETA?"). Numerous other helpful driving commands are available.

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