Some Volvos will get a YouTube app and Google Assistant-controlled AC

Google has announced that automobiles with its providers built-in will likely be getting the power to play YouTube movies whereas parked later this 12 months, beginning with Volvo. For these with a V90, XC40 Recharge, or different supported automobiles, this could make ready in a parking zone extra bearable because you’ll have the ability to see movies in your automotive’s built-in display, which might be going to be barely bigger and extra ergonomic than a telephone.

Google additionally appears to go away the door open for different video apps as nicely, so it’s doable different builders might allow you to entry their content material out of your automotive’s infotainment system.

You’ll additionally have the ability to management some Volvo automobiles utilizing Google Assistant from outdoors the automotive — in a video embedded in its weblog, Google reveals the instance of somebody utilizing a Nest Audio to activate their automotive’s warmth with out having to courageous the snow outdoors. The weblog additionally says the Assistant will have the ability to lock or unlock the automotive and inform you its battery standing. While some Volvos have had in-car management with Assistant for some time, it’s good to get some performance that received’t require you to make the journey out to the storage or parking zone.

Google says it’s additionally increasing what you’ll have the ability to do together with your voice contained in the automotive as nicely — this spring, Volvos with Android Automotive will allow you to entry issues like lane-keeping help and repair info with the Assistant.

Google particulars extra car-related options coming in its weblog submit. It says that later this 12 months, its digital automotive key characteristic will likely be coming to “even more Android phones and vehicles” (it’s presently solely supported on Pixel 6 and Galaxy S21 handsets). Google additionally says that the unlock characteristic will get help for Ultra Wideband later this 12 months, so folks received’t should take their telephones out and faucet them to their automotive to unlock with NFC.

Finally, Lyft and Kakao Mobility will likely be including Android Auto help to their driver apps, which ought to let folks working for these rideshare apps select which riders to choose up from their automotive’s touchscreen.