If you drive a automotive that helps Android Auto, Google has opened a beta tester program to strive the brand new options earlier than everybody else. Once you choose into the beta, you’ll be able to assist Google check the options along with your particular machine and car and share suggestions to assist the corporate enhance the product.

Part of the attraction of being an Android consumer is that you’ve got entry to software program and apps earlier than everybody else. It’s a particular perk if what you’re coping with and may deal with the relative instability in your tech life.

But I’ve been residing with the Android 12 Beta for just a few months on a secondary machine, and although it’s comparatively steady, it’s very clearly a piece in progress. Apps crash and generally don’t launch in any respect. Now think about having to take care of this when you’re driving, with one hand on the wheel and the opposite reaching for the display screen in an try to re-route your self by means of slim streets you’ve by no means seen earlier than.

Writing that paragraph gave me a honest bodily response, as I recall the stress I’ve skilled in related conditions. There have been situations the place I used to be operating a beta model of an app, and it stopped working whereas I used to be making an attempt to entry my telephone. I take advantage of Android Auto on my telephone as my automotive’s infotainment system since my dashboard is simply too sophisticated to attempt to swap out and change it with the suitable {hardware}. I’ve pulled over on the first freeway exit to take care of my smartphone performing up whereas I used to be making an attempt to get someplace. Granted, the difficulty wasn’t with Android Auto however with one thing within the background. The level is that I’m reliant on that interface after I’m behind the wheel, and something that interferes with that may instantly throw off my focus.

These situations contribute to distracted driving, which the CDC defines as “anything that takes your attention away” from the highway. This contains texting, consuming, speaking on the telephone, and adjusting the navigation system. I’m certain it additionally contains me shuffling by means of Spotify for the appropriate track to sing together with as I’m making my manner house. Android Auto was initially developed to assist take away a few of these causes of distracted driving by enabling the Assistant to do it for you. But when the Assistant can’t facilitate, it’s as much as you to take over and steer the system.

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The beta is probably going steady, provided that Google has opened it as much as everybody, and if there are points, the corporate has a observe document of shortly coping with them. Part of the settlement of opting into the beta is that you simply supply suggestions, and there are boards obtainable to escalate a difficulty shortly. You can all the time select to opt out again if it’s too glitchy for day-to-day use.

But my recommendation is that you simply keep away from the Android Auto beta if it’s the one navigation software program in your automotive. Some autos have infotainment techniques with numerous launchers and apps obtainable to make use of, along with the Android Auto possibility. If that’s your case, a minimum of there’s a backup resolution. But for those who’re in a state of affairs the place Android Auto is the one factor obtainable for maps and answering the telephone hands-free, stick with what’s steady. At the tip of the day, that’s the most secure possibility whenever you’re behind the wheel.