Google’s Android Auto Adding New Features for Phones and Cars

A rendered image of Android Auto in the dash

Google’s bringing a ton of new Assistant-led options to Android Automobile on the cell phone and in the dash.
Graphic: Google

Google strategies to discontinue the Android Auto app for Android phones, and has designed a new way to navigate employing Google Assistant in Google Maps. Nowadays Google reported its new Google Assistant driving mode for Android phones is getting a new dashboard which is a lot easier to use arms-cost-free and won’t demand you to set a location in Maps to get started. The Assistant driving manner will be baked into Android 12 when it rolls out in the coming months, and the new dashboard will also be available on telephones that just can’t up grade to 12.

All you have to say is, “Hey Google, let us travel,” and the new driving manner launcher will show up above the usual home display. You can also established a favored Bluetooth system to make the driving mode pop up the moment you have turned on your auto and before you strike the street. You can study additional about how to set it up listed here.

It is essential to observe that this modify is certain to Android phones, not the in-dash edition of Android Car on your car’s display screen. If your automobile lacks an in-sprint exhibit, you can use the cellphone edition as a substitute, and this update will make that easier.

Google calls the Assistant driving method section of its “voice-forward” solution to enable folks use their products securely while they’re at the rear of the wheel. The organization has been working on the changeover from the Android Car application for phones considering that November 2020, when it introduced the initial Assistant driving mode inside the Google Maps application. The big difference now is that the aspect will be portion of Android 12, and it’s no more time a standalone aspect. It also will not be available for iOS gadget people.

Say “Hey Google, let us drive” and the Assistant driving manner dashboard will pop up on your cell phone.
Gif: Google

Like the before long-to-be phased-out Android Vehicle application for smartphones, you can nevertheless get notifications read through aloud as they come in by inquiring Google to transform on automobile-go through. Computerized tips will pop on the map no matter if you’re in navigation method, as will leisure tips from the apps you have put in on y
our smartphone. The new Google Assistant driving mode will also work with third-celebration car or truck add-ons like the Roav Bolt.

The new Assistant driving method features will get started rolling out more than the coming months, both as section of Android 12 and as an update for phones on older Android application. Google mentioned that consumers relying on older variations of the Android Automobile app or Assistant driving method in Google Maps will be “guided to this expertise,” but that the application will stay in the Engage in Retail outlet for the time becoming. If you upgrade to Android 12, the Android Automobile phone application will go away.

Android Automobile Variations Coming to the Vehicle

Google is also bringing new characteristics to Android Automobile on auto displays. The Assistant will get started to serve far more new music, information, and podcast suggestions on the key exhibit, and it will be in a position to change applications on the display screen with a voice command. Twin-SIM Android customers will also be able to switch involving different mobile phone quantities. And Android Vehicle will assist do the job profiles in the automobile, so you’ll see details for meetings and directions built-in with the rest of your lifestyle.

While it could appear opposite to the entire fingers-free section of applying Android Automobile, Google is also bringing game titles to the exhibit, nevertheless only once Android Vehicle has detected that your car or truck is parked. GameSnacks game titles are intended to assist folks pass the time as they are, say, waiting around in the university pickup line. It is also to enable discourage you from at any time placing your hand on your smartphone.

A render of Android Auto in the dash with game icons on the screen

An case in point of what the video game applications will look like in Android Auto the moment the motor vehicle is in Park.
Image: Google

Another attribute to search out for in Android Car is the capability to pay for fuel making use of only your voice. Shout “pay for fuel,” and the Assistant will question for your pump amount just before it begins the transaction inside Google Pay back. The fingers-absolutely free payment potential will be available at far more than 32,500 fuel stations when it commences to roll out, beginning with select Exxon and Cellular stations. Google ideas to ultimately include aid for Shell, Conoco, Phillips 66, and 76 stations above time.

Google Developed Correct Into the Automobile

Google announced that Honda will begin to use the Android Automotive system in versions like the Civic beginning in 2022. Honda joins Ford, General Motors, Polestar, Renault, and Volvo in offering Android Automotive in its autos.

Android Automotive runs right in the car and is much more built-in with the relaxation of the components. You can use Android Automotive to control pieces of the automobile you can not with regular Android Car, like the HVAC and instrument cluster.

Electrical cars will also get some new options in Android Automotive. The OS will display a lot more targeted facts, like charging station areas and irrespective of whether they’re readily out there.

As a longtime consumer of the Android Auto app for the smartphone—since its debut in 2015—I’m happy to hear some a great deal-wanted improvements are coming to how Android does infotainment in the car or truck. The transition hasn’t been easy for these of us who have dumb vehicles without having displays. The Assistant driving manner in j
ust Google Maps stays severely limited compared to the Android Auto for telephones app—at least right up until the current Assistant driving mode rolls out. It’s very clear the app has not received a sizeable update in a extended time, and it doesn’t have anywhere around the polish of Android Car in the sprint.

I’m curious how speedily the changeover will occur and if it’ll be as fluid for non-Pixel smartphones that are not upgrading to Android 12 on working day 1. For now, it appears to be like like I’ll keep on to use the Android Auto app for phones until eventually the Assistant-led driving mode is a confident point on my device.