I don't get why these auto makers are pushing android auto/car play more. I know at least for android auto, it really is about making driving safer while still giving the driver the communication and connections they desire. I hate the requirement of having to have your phone plugged in but at the same time it makes it safer, and makes it less likely the user will pick up their phone and interact with it if it has to be plugged in. In fact, as long as android auto is running on the car, you can't do anything else on the phone.
Not to mention, Mazda, and all other manufactures have to spend money on maintaining and developing new infotainment systems. Implementing android auto would eliminate that need and save them money. Let google do the hard work of maintaining the infotainment OS. Focus on other areas that matter that are directly related to the car. Come on Mazda. Don't be crazy here. Get on the bandwagon like these other companies.
+1
Re: plugging in the phone - there could be an easy to use cradle or slot you just slide your phone on and that's it.
Also, there are multitudes of developers, not just Google, which continuously publish new apps for Android Auto. And you don't get stuck with the same feature set and bugs as the day you bought your system - it updates with more features and better usability all the time. The available data, depth and breath, cannot be matched by a standalone system.