Get Ready for Big Android Auto Changes On Your Phone and In Your Car

Google plans to discontinue the Android Auto app for Android telephones, and has created a new approach to navigate utilizing Google Assistant in Google Maps. Today Google stated its new Google Assistant driving mode for Android telephones is getting a brand new dashboard that’s simpler to make use of hands-free and received’t require you to set a vacation spot in Maps to get began. The Assistant driving mode will probably be baked into Android 12 when it rolls out within the coming weeks, and the brand new dashboard may also be out there on telephones that may’t improve to 12.

All it’s a must to say is, “Hey Google, let’s drive,” and the brand new driving mode launcher will seem over the standard house display screen. You may set a most well-liked Bluetooth machine to make the driving mode pop up when you’ve turned in your automotive and earlier than you hit the street. You can learn extra about the right way to set it up here.

It’s vital to notice that this variation is particular to Android telephones, not the in-dash model of Android Auto in your automotive’s show. If your automotive lacks an in-dash show, you should utilize the cellphone model instead, and this replace will make that simpler.

Google calls the Assistant driving mode a part of its “voice-forward” method to assist folks use their gadgets safely whereas they’re behind the wheel. The firm has been engaged on the transition from the Android Auto app for telephones since November 2020, when it launched the unique Assistant driving mode throughout the Google Maps app. The distinction now could be that the function will probably be a part of Android 12, and it’s now not a standalone function. It additionally received’t be out there for iOS machine customers.

Like the soon-to-be phased-out Android Auto app for smartphones, you may nonetheless get notifications learn aloud as they arrive in by asking Google to activate auto-read. Automatic suggestions will pop on the map regardless if you happen to’re in navigation mode, as will leisure suggestions from the apps you could have put in in your smartphone. The new Google Assistant driving mode may also work with third-party automotive equipment just like the Roav Bolt.

The new Assistant driving mode options will begin rolling out over the approaching weeks, each as a part of Android 12 and as an replace for telephones on older Android software program. Google stated that customers counting on older variations of the Android Auto app or Assistant driving mode in Google Maps will probably be “guided towards this experience,” however that the app will stay within the Play Store in the interim. If you improve to Android 12, the Android Auto cellphone app will go away.

Android Auto Changes Coming to the Car

Google can be bringing new options to Android Auto on automotive shows. The Assistant will begin to serve extra music, information, and podcast suggestions on the principle show, and it is going to be in a position to change apps on the display screen with a voice command. Dual-SIM Android customers may also be capable of change between totally different cellphone numbers. And Android Auto will help work profiles within the automotive, so that you’ll see particulars for conferences and instructions built-in with the remainder of your life.

Though it may appear opposite to the entire hands-free a part of utilizing Android Auto, Google can be bringing video games to the show, although solely as soon as Android Auto has detected that your automotive is parked. GameSnacks video games are designed to assist people move the time as they’re, say, ready within the college pickup line. It’s additionally to assist discourage you from ever placing your hand in your smartphone.

Another function to look out for in Android Auto is the power to pay for fuel utilizing solely your voice. Shout “pay for gas,” and the Assistant will ask to your pump quantity earlier than it begins the transaction inside Google Pay. The hands-free cost potential will probably be out there at greater than 32,500 fuel stations when it begins to roll out, starting with choose Exxon and Mobile stations. Google plans to ultimately add help for Shell, Conoco, Phillips 66, and 76 stations over time.

Google Built Right Into the Car

Google introduced that Honda will begin to use the Android Automotive platform in fashions just like the Civic starting in 2022. Honda joins Ford, General Motors, Polestar, Renault, and Volvo in providing Android Automotive in its automobiles.

Android Automotive runs immediately within the automotive and is extra built-in with the remainder of the {hardware}. You can use Android Automotive to regulate elements of the automotive you may’t with common Android Auto, just like the HVAC and instrument cluster.

Electric automobiles may also get some new options in Android Automotive. The OS will present extra focused data, like charging station places and whether or not they’re available.

As a longtime person of the Android Auto app for the smartphone—since its debut in 2015—I’m completely happy to listen to some much-needed adjustments are coming to how Android does infotainment within the automotive. The transition hasn’t been straightforward for these of us who’ve dumb vehicles with out shows. The Assistant driving mode inside Google Maps stays severely restricted in comparison with the Android Auto for telephones app—not less than till the up to date Assistant driving mode rolls out. It’s clear the app hasn’t obtained a big replace in a very long time, and it doesn’t have wherever close to the polish of Android Auto within the sprint.

I’m curious how shortly the changeover will happen and if it’ll be as fluid for non-Pixel smartphones that aren’t upgrading to Android 12 on day one. For now, it seems like I’ll proceed to make use of the Android Auto app for telephones till the Assistant-led driving mode is a certain factor on my machine.