Android Auto Explained

Android Auto
Logo Size:260px
Screenshot Size:260px
Author:Google
Developer:Google
Latest Release Version:12.5.6430
Latest Release Date:[1] [2]
Latest Preview Version:12.6.1432
Latest Preview Date:[3]
Operating System:Android 8.0+[4]
Genre:Telematics
License:Proprietary

Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google to mirror features of a smartphone (or other Android device) on a car's dashboard information and entertainment head unit.

Once an Android device is paired with the car's head unit, the system can mirror some apps on the vehicle's display. Supported apps include GPS mapping and navigation, music playback, SMS, telephone, and Web search. The system supports both touchscreen and button-controlled head units. Hands-free operation through voice commands is available and recommended to reduce driver distraction.

Android Auto is part of the Open Automotive Alliance, a joint effort of 28 automobile manufacturers, with Nvidia as tech supplier, available in 36 countries.

Functionality

Android Auto is software that can be utilized from an Android mobile device, acting as a master to a vehicle's dashboard head unit.[5] Once the user's Android device is connected to the vehicle, the head unit will serve as an external display for the Android device, presenting supported software in a car-specific user interface provided by the Android Auto app.[5] [6] In Android Auto's first iterations, the device was required to be connected via USB to the car.[7]

For some time, starting in November 2016, Google added the option to run Android Auto as a regular app on an Android device, which allowed the choice to use Android Auto simply on a personal phone or tablet, as opposed to on a compatible automotive head-unit.[8] This app was decommissioned in June 2022 in favor of a Driving Mode built into the Google Assistant app.

Availability

, Android Auto is available in 48 countries:[9]

History

Android Auto was revealed at Google I/O 2014. The app was released to the public on March 19, 2015.[10] In November 2016, Google implemented an app that would run the Android Auto UI on the mobile device.[8] [11] In July 2019, Android Auto received its first major UI rework, which among other changes, brought an app drawer to Android Auto for the first time. Google also announced that the app's ability to be used on a phone would be discontinued in favor of Google Assistant's drive mode.[12]

In December 2020, Google announced the expansion of Android Auto to 36 additional countries in Europe, Indonesia, and more.[13] In April 2021, Android Auto launched in Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden.[14] Google announced in May 2022 a user interface redesign for Android Auto, codenamed CoolWalk, which aims to simplify the app's usage, and make it more adaptable to screens of different orientations and aspect ratios. The redesign incorporates a new split-screen layout, where Google Maps can be displayed alongside a music player.[15] CoolWalk was originally slated to launch in Q3 2022.[16] In June 2022, Android Auto no longer ran directly on a mobile device; the app permitting this was decommissioned, in favor of a Driving Mode built into the Google Assistant app for a similar purpose.[17] In November 2022, the CoolWalk user interface was released in Android Auto's beta program.[18]

App support

An Android Auto SDK has been released, allowing third parties to modify their apps to work with Android Auto;[6] initially, only APIs for music and messaging apps were available.[19] [20]

At CES 2018, Google confirmed that the Google Assistant would be coming to Android Auto later in the year.[21]

Head unit support

See also: Automotive head unit. In May 2015, Hyundai became the first manufacturer to offer Android Auto support, making it first available in the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.[22] Automobile manufacturers that will offer Android Auto support in their cars include Abarth, Acura, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley,[23] Buick, BMW, BYD, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Genesis, Holden,[24] Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar Land Rover, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Lexus, Lincoln, Mahindra and Mahindra, Maserati,[25] Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche,[26] RAM, Renault, SEAT, Škoda, SsangYong, Subaru, Suzuki, Tata Motors Cars, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.[27]

Additionally, aftermarket car-audio systems supporting Android Auto add the technology into host vehicles, including Pioneer,[28] Kenwood,[29] Panasonic,[30] and Sony.[31] [32]

Criticism

In May 2019, Italy filed an antitrust complaint targeting Android Auto, citing that a Google policy of only allowing third-parties to offer media and messaging apps on the platform prevented Enel from offering an app for locating vehicle charging stations.[33]

Initially, Google did not enable third parties to integrate their mapping apps with Android Auto, only its own apps, Google Maps and Waze, being available.[34] But since 2020, third party mapping apps such as Sygic are also available.[35]

Google announced a new SDK to be released to select partners in August 2020 and to be generally available by the end of 2020.[36]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Android Auto . Google Play . 2024-08-15.
  2. Web site: Android Auto 12.4.6428 . 2024-08-14 . APKMirror . 2024-08-15.
  3. Web site: Android Auto 12.6.1432 beta . 2024-08-08 . APKMirror . 2024-08-12.
  4. Web site: Android Auto - Get more answers . February 18, 2023 . Android.
  5. Web site: What you need to know about Android Auto . Android Central . Richard . Devine . June 26, 2014. June 27, 2014.
  6. Web site: Google's new Android Auto is like Google Now for your car . . . Antuan . Goodwin . June 25, 2014. June 26, 2014.
  7. Web site: Google gives us a simulated ride with Android Auto . . . Michael . Gorman . June 25, 2014. June 26, 2014.
  8. Web site: Android Auto: now available in every car . November 7, 2016 . Official Google Blog . https://web.archive.org/web/20161107221224/https://blog.google/products/android/android-auto-available-in-every-car/ . November 7, 2016.
  9. Web site: Is the Android Auto app available in my country? . April 3, 2021 . Android.
  10. News: Welch . Chris . Google's launch of Android Auto starts today with Pioneer head units . August 19, 2019 . The Verge.
  11. Web site: Here's what's happening to Google's driving apps for Android 10, all three of them . September 24, 2022 . The Verge . September 5, 2019 . en-US.
  12. Web site: The new Android Auto officially starts rolling out today, and it's mostly an improvement . July 30, 2019.
  13. Web site: Schoon . Ben . December 3, 2020 . Android Auto expands to 36 more countries mainly in Europe . December 4, 2020 . . en-US.
  14. Android . 1376920861979123716 . Android Auto is rolling out to Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden.
  15. Web site: Android Auto is Getting a Much-Needed Makeover. Gizmodo . May 12, 2022.
  16. Web site: New ways to stay connected and entertained in your car. Google Blog. May 12, 2022.
  17. Web site: Schoon . Ben . June 21, 2022 . Android Auto is now 'only for car screens,' as phone version shuts down for good . September 24, 2022 . . en-US.
  18. Web site: Android Auto's long-awaited redesign is nearly here — here's how you can take it for a test drive. November 11, 2022. Android Police.
  19. Google Announces Android Auto, Its Answer to Apple's CarPlay . . . Tim . Moynihan . June 25, 2014. June 26, 2014.
  20. Web site: Autoradio GPS . March 17, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160314104557/https://www.player-top.fr/ . March 14, 2016 . live.
  21. News: Google Assistant will soon live inside your car . Reigh . Brian . January 8, 2018 . Android Authority. January 10, 2018.
  22. Android Auto: The First Great In-Car Infotainment System . WIRED. November 10, 2017 . en-US.
  23. Web site: Bentayga FAQs. November 2, 2021. English. en.
  24. Web site: Android Auto for Holden . Android . en. February 26, 2019.
  25. Web site: November 7, 2020 . Maserati Second Generation head unit by AuCar for GranTurismo and GranCabrio . April 5, 2021 . AuCar . en-US.
  26. Web site: Porsche Press releases: New Porsche infotainment: knows more, does more and is a better listener - Porsche AG. October 2, 2021. Porsche HOME: New Porsche infotainment: knows more, does more and is a better listener - Porsche AG. en-EN.
  27. Web site: Android Auto.
  28. Web site: Pioneer-Android-Auto . August 28, 2015.
  29. Web site: Kenwood-Android-Auto. January 4, 2016. January 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160125042331/http://mediawire.press/kenwood/kenwood-ships-multimedia-receivers-with-apple-carplay-and-android-auto/. dead.
  30. Web site: Android Auto for Panasonic . Android . en-IN. November 17, 2016.
  31. Web site: Android Auto for Sony. July 25, 2017.
  32. Web site: The 8 Best Car Stereo Systems of 2019 . Kim Bussing, Anton Galang . June 27, 2019 . Lifewire . August 11, 2019 . August 11, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190811084032/https://www.lifewire.com/best-car-stereo-systems-4053253 . dead .
  33. Web site: Italy opens antitrust probe into Google because of a rejected Android Auto app . O'Kane . Sean . May 17, 2019 . The Verge. May 18, 2019.
  34. Web site: Wake Up Google! Your Customers Want Freedom of Navigation in Android Auto . sygic.com . fr. April 20, 2020.
  35. Web site: Beedham . Matthew . December 15, 2020 . Google's Android Auto finally has a third-party app for navigation . March 18, 2021 . Shift The Next Web. en-us.
  36. Web site: New ways to reach more drivers on Android for cars. Mickey Kataria, Director of Product Management, Android for cars. googleblog.com . en . August 11, 2020.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Android Auto".

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