Tag Android Auto

From smartphones to smart homes, we are more and more relying on the use of technology in our everyday lives. This also includes daily commute to work and road trips but, instead of putting yourself at risk on the road by attempting to balance a phone in your hand while driving, you can rely on a couple of swipes across the screen in combination with voice commands which will keep you safe but also help you out in any task you need. 

Android auto

That is basically what Android Auto is for. As an in-car interface, Android Auto presents all your apps in an easily accessible, convenient way on the display and allows you to rely on navigation, messaging and media apps while on the road without endangering other drivers or yourself. Of course, there is also Google Assistant which will help you out with any task you ask from it, from reading out your messages and letting others know you are currently unavailable to answer, to letting you know which turn to take on your way to a pre-set destination. 

Android Auto Mayor Update Is Now Available

Announced earlier this year, a mayor update for Android Auto is finally rolling out to all devices and is bringing quite a few welcomed changes including better interface navigation, screen and apps and more, including the ever awaited dark mode. 

Among the updates that were revealed when the update was announced is the new way of navigating through Android Auto. The whole interface is now much more simplified and easier to use. The biggest difference is the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen that features three locked-in buttons, including the Menu button on the far left, closest to the driver, and Notifications and Google Assistant buttons on the left side. The navigation bar changes based on what app you are using at the moment and previews it in the middle of the bar. Since most users use more than just one app at the time, one will be shown on the screen while the shortcut of the other will be shown in the navigation bar and give you insight into the activities of the other app. This means that whatever app you are using while relying on navigation, the step by step instructions will be shown at the bottom of the screen guiding you to your set destination. Android Auto Dark Mode

Except the navigation bar, the home screen of Android Auto also got a redesign. It features all compatible apps that you can choose from, including messaging, navigation and media apps. The “cards” are not available anymore, which means that calendar reminders, weather and similar shortcuts are not available either. On the other hand, apps are also getting a redesign. Except the inner changes, Android Auto now also added Google Assistant “apps”. They are basically Assistant commands that, instead of speaking out a command you can just press on the shortcut and you will get the answer that compliments the command. This includes weather, reminders, news and other similar commands. 

Other updates include the auto-launch feature that enables users to continue where they left off last time they drove in the car. This means that when you enter the car and plug in your smartphone, it will automatically turn on the music from where it stopped last time, and also open the navigation app that is frequently used. And, of course, there is the addition of the long-awaited dark mode.

 Android Auto 2019 Redesign Announced

Right before Google I/O 2019 conference, Google announced that it is planning on releasing a huge Android Auto redesign later in the summer of 2019. With the main idea being improving travelling experience of its users, Google is planning on adding a lot of new or redesigned features among which is, as expected, Android Auto Dark Mode.

Since the release, Android Auto looked pretty much the same with only a couple of significant updates to the overall interface, which is why redesign is more than welcomed. The user interface changes expected to be seen in summer include removal of the standard bottom menu bar that will be replaced with a more specific one based on the app used at the moment. This means that if you are listening to Spotify, playback controls will take space on the bottom bar that will make it more convenient to navigate without losing attention from the road. 

And, as many users often rely on navigation to get around, the bottom bar can be switched to offer turn-by-turn navigation to a pre-set location. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wz0Heig3TQ

The Home button is expected to be locked in the bottom navigation bar, offering quick access to all the apps. Beside it, we can find a Google Assistant button that will allow you to quickly command your voice assistant and request anything desirable, as well as a notification bell that will store all the messages, calls and other notifications received while driving. 

Of course, going back to publicly most popular update, Dark Mode is going to be less disturbing during the commute. Until now, Google did a pretty good step in this direction as the screen of Android Auto was self-adjusting based on the time of the day, but the dark mode is going to solve the issue completely. The colorful buttons are expected to be easier to notice and choose than before. 

Finally, media playback is getting another improvement with the upcoming update as the music will now playing immediately as soon as the car is turned on, starting from the point where it stopped off earlier. More details are expected to be released and, as summer is slowly coming to an end, we are even more excited to see the update come to life. 

Android Auto 2019 Updates

The beginning of the year was marked with an insightful interview with the head of Android Auto at Google, Patrick Brady who spoke about what can be expected from the interface in the following months. At the time, there were only three car brands, Volvo, Mitsubishi, and Renault-Nissan, have set the adaptation of their in-car interface with Android Auto, with a couple other brands that were kept a secret. Brady predicted that in the future,we can expect that more car controls are left to be controlled by the interface rather than by buttons or handles. Android Auto projections on additional head units was promised to stay for all those who can’t afford a car with the full integration, but the interface is going to get software updates over-the-air rather than in the dealership like it was the case in the previous years. He hinted at a big software update but we don’t find out about it until much later. 

Android auto

Soon after, official update of Android Auto finally added YouTube Music as one of the already numerous options of media apps. The update was long awaited as up to that point, users had to use their mobile devices to play and control the music played through the interface. Chosen as a default app through the settings, YouTube Music offers five menu options: Downloads, Library, Your Mixtape, Last Played and Recommended.

The upcoming month brought yet another update to Android Auto, this time adding a new layout for certain vehicles. The main focus of the update was the addition of widescreen support, but the feature is not easily found. Users must access the developer settings in order to turn it on, but nevertheless it can still be a more convenient option for your in-car display.

Android Auto 2018 Updates 

Some of the 2018 updates brought changes to Android Auto that were long awaited at the moment. First, Pixel and Nexus users were finally able to connect to Android Auto wirelessly. Six devices at the time were updated to connect automatically as soon as you enter the vehicle. At the time, it was still necessary to have an additional head unit that will serve as Android Auto displays. Even back then, Google announced they will add more devices over time, including more vehicles that will have integrated version of Android Auto. 

Pioneer android auto

A month later after introduction of wireless connectivity option, Pioneer launched two Android Auto head units, as promised by Google. The AV receivers were intended for all users that do not have a in-car display with already integrated Android Auto, allowing users to mount it on the dashboard additionally and connect their smartphone using USB, Bluetooth and WiFi. The AV receivers are priced between $700 and $1200 based on the display size and the touchscreen type. 

In the third quarter of 2018, Apple worked on integration between its music app and Android Auto and in September officially announced that Apple Music is going to be integrated with Android Auto, besides the already present Google Play Music and Spotify apps. At the time, despite being rivals, Google and Apple were both working on integrating each other service which also resulted in Google Maps compatibility on CarPlay. 

By the end of the year, more app updates followed for Android Auto including those to media apps as the focus shifted to easier browsing through the app with the accentuation of “Now Playing” podcasts and music. Messaging apps also got an important update as Google acknowledged the importance of road safety. Instead of only text-to-speech feature of upcoming messages, drivers will now also get a message preview when the car is not in motion, or at all times based on the personal settings. Moreover, the addition of MMS and RCS support added more options for other messaging apps such as WhatsApp including group messaging. 

Best Android Auto Apps

Android Auto can become a staple part of your daily commute to work which is why it is very important to have apps that will serve you the best. The list of compatible apps is quite long and is getting longer with every passing day as more developers are focusing on creating apps that will be useful on your next road trip.

Best Android Auto apps for navigation include Google Maps and Waze. Each of the apps has its own perks: Google Maps can offer you traffic conditions and fastest routes, no ads or pop-ups during the drive, as well as traffic incident reports, while Waze can also show police location and best prices of gas nearby. 

Best Android Auto apps for messaging are Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. As one of the most famous messaging apps across all platforms, you can already guess what they offer. Nevertheless, its important to mention that with Messenger you can get the messages read out loud and sent previously set lines as automatic replies. With WhatsApp, you will rely mostly on use of voice than on messaging itself and the app can be used simultaneously with other navigation apps allowing you to stay in the loop at all times. 

Best Android Auto apps for music and audiobooks include some of the classics. Spotify, of course, with the huge database of songs and artists you can choose from is the main one to mention, alongside with Pandora, Deezer, Google Play Music, Apple Music and Amazon Music. Scout FM is a great radio option while Audible is an excellent choice for those who enjoy listening to a good book. 

Android Auto

New 9-inch Sony Receiver

Right after the mayor update, Sony revealed its new car receiver that will allow users that do not have Android Auto or CarPlay integrated in their vehicles use the softwares on the road. The reason why the receiver stands out from the other similar devices is the size of its screen. With 8.95 inches, users can see everything clearly without having to spend too much time looking at the screen while driving. The display can be adjusted on the dashboard for height, depth and tilt based on your preference and comfort, and the buttons at the bottom of the device offer quick volume and playback controls as well as voice commands. It is compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones, meaning that you can use either CarPlay or Android Auto based on which phone you plug in. Sony’s new receiver is going to be available before the holidays in December, with the expected price of $599.99.

Sony Android Auto Receiver

Android Auto Compatible Vehicles

Android Auto is compatible with a very large number of vehicles and Google is actively working on adding even more models to the list of cars that come with Android Auto integration. The following car brands offer Android Auto interface as part of their newly-purchased cars (as of May 2019): 

  • Abarth
  • Acura
  • Alfa Romeo
  • Aston Martin
  • Audi
  • Borgward
  • Buick
  • Cadillac
  • Chevrolet
  • Chrysler
  • Citroen
  • Dodge
  • DS
  • Fiat
  • Ford
  • Genesis
  • GMC
  • Holden
  • Honda
  • Hyundai
  • Jeep
  • Karma
  • Kia
  • Lamborghini
  • Lincoln
  • Mahindra
  • Maruti Suzuki
  • Maserati
  • Mazda
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Mitsubishi
  • Nissan
  • Opel 
  • Peugeot
  • RAM
  • Renault
  • Seat
  • Škoda
  • Smart
  • SsangYong
  • Subaru
  • Suzuki
  • Tata Motors
  • Toyota
  • Vauxhall
  • Volkswagen
  • Volvo

You can also expect Android Auto integration with more models from: 

  • Audi
  • Bentley
  • Borgward
  • Citroen
  • Dacia
  • Holden
  • Infiniti
  • Iveco
  • Jaguar
  • Koenigsegg
  • Lada
  • Land Rover
  • Lifan
  • Mitsubishi
  • Subaru.