Android Auto

Last updated

Android Auto
Original author(s) Google
Developer(s) Google
Initial releaseMarch 19, 2015;9 years ago (2015-03-19)
Operating system Android 8.0+ [1]
Type Telematics
License Proprietary
Website android.com/auto

Android Auto is a mobile app developed by Google to mirror features of an Android device, such as a smartphone, on a car's dashboard information and entertainment head unit.

Contents

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. [2] 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. [2] [3] In Android Auto's first iterations, the device was required to be connected via USB to the car. [4]

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. [5] This app was decommissioned in June 2022 in favor of a Driving Mode built into the Google Assistant app. [6]

Availability

As of February 2022, Android Auto is available in 47 countries: [7]

History

Android Auto was revealed at Google I/O 2014. The app was released to the public on March 19, 2015. [8] In November 2016, Google implemented an app that would run the Android Auto UI on the mobile device. [5] [9] 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. [10]

In December 2020, Google announced the expansion of Android Auto to 36 additional countries in Europe, Indonesia, and more. [11] In April 2021, Android Auto launched in Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden. [12] 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. [13] CoolWalk was originally slated to launch in Q3 2022. [14] 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. [6] In November 2022, the CoolWalk user interface was released in Android Auto's beta program. [15]

App support

An Android Auto SDK has been released, allowing third parties to modify their apps to work with Android Auto; [3] initially, only APIs for music and messaging apps were available. [16] [17]

At CES 2018, Google confirmed that the Google Assistant would be coming to Android Auto later in the year. [18]

Head unit support

In May 2015, Hyundai became the first manufacturer to offer Android Auto support, making it first available in the 2015 Hyundai Sonata. [19] Automobile manufacturers that will offer Android Auto support in their cars include Abarth, Acura, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, [20] Buick, BMW, BYD, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Genesis, Holden, [21] Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar Land Rover, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Lexus, Lincoln, Mahindra and Mahindra, Maserati, [22] Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, [23] RAM, Renault, SEAT, Škoda, SsangYong, Subaru, Suzuki, Tata Motors Cars, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. [24]

Additionally, aftermarket car-audio systems supporting Android Auto add the technology into host vehicles, including Pioneer, [25] Kenwood, [26] Panasonic, [27] and Sony. [28] [29]

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. [30]

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. [31] But since 2020, third party mapping apps such as Sygic are also available. [32]

Google announced a new SDK to be released to select partners in August 2020 and to be generally available by the end of 2020. [33]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In-car entertainment</span> Automotive entertainment system

In-car entertainment (ICE), or in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), is a collection of hardware and software in automobiles that provides audio or video entertainment. In car entertainment originated with car audio systems that consisted of radios and cassette or CD players, and now includes automotive navigation systems, video players, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, carputers, in-car internet, and WiFi. Once controlled by simple dashboards knobs and dials, ICE systems can include steering wheel audio controls, handsfree voice control, touch-sensitive preset buttons, and even touch screens on higher-end units. Latest models of In-car entertainment systems are coming equipped with rear-view cameras along with side cameras for better safety.

Ford Sync is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls, control music and perform other functions with the use of voice commands. The system consists of applications and user interfaces developed by Ford and other third-party developers. The first two generations run on the Windows Embedded Automotive operating system designed by Microsoft, while the third and fourth generations runs on the QNX operating system from BlackBerry Limited. Future versions will run on the Android operating system from Google.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here Technologies</span> Netherlands-based mapping data company

Here Technologies is a Dutch multinational group specialized in mapping technologies, location data and related automotive services to individuals and companies. It is majority-owned by a consortium of German automotive companies and American semiconductor company Intel whilst other companies also own minority stakes. Its roots date back to U.S.-based Navteq in 1985, which was acquired by Finland-based Nokia in 2007. Here is currently based in The Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sygic</span> Slovak automotive navigation technology company

Sygic is a Slovak company of global automotive navigation systems for mobile phones and tablets. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia. It became the first company to offer navigation for iPhone and second for Android. In 2015 Sygic reached milestone of 100 million downloads of its navigation app.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche Macan</span> Small SUV

The Porsche Macan is a compact luxury crossover SUV (D-segment) produced by German manufacturer Porsche, a luxury car marque of Volkswagen Group, since February 2014. It is the smallest SUV from Porsche below the Cayenne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Entune</span> Multimedia system for Toyota automobiles

Toyota Entune is an integrated multimedia navigation and telematics system for Toyota automobiles that provides satellite-based information on traffic, weather, sports scores, stocks, and fuel prices via subscription through SiriusXM. When connected to a compatible cellular phone running the Entune app via radio or USB cable, the system provided a browser and other apps including those from music services such as iHeartRadio, Pandora and XM Satellite Radio. The cell phone app supported iOS, Android, and Blackberry with different versions utilizing cell data. The system could be controlled with (limited) speech recognition, and optionally include the “Safety Connect” personalization system.

A connected car is a car that can communicate bidirectionally with other systems outside of the car. This connectivity can be used to provide services to passengers or to support or enhance self-driving functionality. For safety-critical applications, it is anticipated that cars will also be connected using dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) or cellular radios, operating in the FCC-granted 5.9 GHz band with very low latency.

MyLink a.k.a. Intellilink is a telematics system/infotainment system offered by General Motors in their vehicles. The system was debuted in 2011 in the then-new Chevrolet Volt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CarPlay</span> Protocol for connecting Apple hardware to car radios

CarPlay, or Apple CarPlay is an Apple standard that enables a car radio or head unit to be a display and controller for an iOS device. It is available on iPhone 5 and later models running iOS 7.1 or later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chromecast</span> Line of digital media players developed by Google

Chromecast is a line of digital media players developed by Google. The devices, designed as small dongles, can play Internet-streamed audio-visual content on a high-definition television or home audio system. The user can control playback with a mobile device or personal computer through mobile and web apps that can use the Google Cast protocol, or by issuing commands via Google Assistant; later models introduced an interactive user interface and remote control. Content can be mirrored to video models from the Google Chrome web browser on a personal computer or from the screen of some Android devices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Play Games</span> Online gaming service

Google Play Games is an online video gaming service by Google for Microsoft Windows, Chromebooks, and Android devices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Android TV</span> Android operating system version for television sets and digital media players

Android TV is a smart TV operating system based on Android and developed by Google. It is available on television sets, soundbars, set-top boxes and digital media players. A successor to Google TV, it features a user interface designed around content discovery and voice search, content aggregation from various media apps and services, and integration with other recent Google technologies such as Assistant, Cast, and Knowledge Graph.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Fit</span> Health-tracking platform by Google

Google Fit is a health-tracking platform developed by Google for the Android operating system, Wear OS, and iOS. It is a single set of APIs that blends data from multiple apps and devices. Google Fit uses sensors in a user's activity tracker or mobile device to record physical fitness activities, which are measured against the user's fitness goals to provide a comprehensive view of their fitness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SmartDeviceLink</span>

SmartDeviceLink consists of two distinct software elements: a core automotive piece which wraps in-vehicle services and integrates to the in-vehicle HMI, and a mobile proxy, which executes APIs to access and use services on the automotive head unit.

Automotive hacking is the exploitation of vulnerabilities within the software, hardware, and communication systems of automobiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Assistant</span> AI-powered digital assistant from Google

The Google Assistant is a virtual assistant software application developed by Google that is primarily available on mobile and home automation devices. Based on artificial intelligence, The Google Assistant can engage in two-way conversations, unlike the company's previous virtual assistant, Google Now.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuchsia (operating system)</span> Computer operating system by Google

Fuchsia is an open-source capability-based operating system developed by Google. In contrast to Google's Linux-based operating systems such as ChromeOS and Android, Fuchsia is based on a custom kernel named Zircon. It publicly debuted as a self-hosted git repository in August 2016 without any official corporate announcement. After years of development, its official product launch was in 2021 on the first-generation Google Nest Hub, replacing its original Linux-based Cast OS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Google Lens</span> Image recognition tool developed by Google

Google Lens is an image recognition technology developed by Google, designed to bring up relevant information related to objects it identifies using visual analysis based on a neural network. First announced during Google I/O 2017, it was first provided as a standalone app, later being integrated into Google Camera but was reportedly removed in October 2022. It has also been integrated with the Google Photos and Google Assistant app and with Bard as of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Android Automotive</span> Android operating system version for car infotainment systems

Android Automotive is a variation of Google's Android operating system, tailored for its use in vehicle dashboards. Introduced in March 2017, the platform was developed by Google and Intel, together with car manufacturers such as Volvo and Audi. The project aims to provide an operating system codebase for vehicle manufacturers to develop their own version of the operating system. Besides infotainment tasks, such as messaging, navigation and music playback, the operating system aims to handle vehicle-specific functions such as controlling the air conditioning.

References

  1. ↑ "Android Auto - Get more answers". Android. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Devine, Richard (June 26, 2014). "What you need to know about Android Auto". Android Central. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  3. 1 2 Goodwin, Antuan (June 25, 2014). "Google's new Android Auto is like Google Now for your car". CNET . CBS Interactive . Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  4. ↑ Gorman, Michael (June 25, 2014). "Google gives us a simulated ride with Android Auto". Engadget . AOL Inc. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Android Auto: now available in every car". Official Google Blog. November 7, 2016. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Schoon, Ben (June 21, 2022). "Android Auto is now 'only for car screens,' as phone version shuts down for good". 9to5Google . Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Is the Android Auto app available in my country?". Android. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  8. ↑ Welch, Chris. "Google's launch of Android Auto starts today with Pioneer head units". The Verge. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Here's what's happening to Google's driving apps for Android 10, all three of them". The Verge. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  10. ↑ "The new Android Auto officially starts rolling out today, and it's mostly an improvement". July 30, 2019.
  11. ↑ Schoon, Ben (December 3, 2020). "Android Auto expands to 36 more countries mainly in Europe". 9to5Google . Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  12. ↑ @Android (March 30, 2021). "Android Auto is rolling out to Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ "Android Auto is Getting a Much-Needed Makeover". Gizmodo. May 12, 2022.
  14. ↑ "New ways to stay connected and entertained in your car". Google Blog. May 12, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Android Auto's long-awaited redesign is nearly here — here's how you can take it for a test drive". Android Police. November 11, 2022.
  16. ↑ Moynihan, Tim (June 25, 2014). "Google Announces Android Auto, Its Answer to Apple's CarPlay". Wired . Condé Nast . Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Autoradio GPS". Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  18. ↑ Reigh, Brian (January 8, 2018). "Google Assistant will soon live inside your car". Android Authority. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Android Auto: The First Great In-Car Infotainment System". WIRED. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Bentayga FAQs". English. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Android Auto for Holden". Android. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Maserati Second Generation head unit by AuCar for GranTurismo and GranCabrio". AuCar. November 7, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Porsche Press releases: New Porsche infotainment: knows more, does more and is a better listener - Porsche AG". Porsche HOME: New Porsche infotainment: knows more, does more and is a better listener - Porsche AG. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Android Auto".
  25. ↑ "Pioneer-Android-Auto" . Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Kenwood-Android-Auto". Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Android Auto for Panasonic". Android. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Android Auto for Sony" . Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  29. ↑ Kim Bussing, Anton Galang (June 27, 2019). "The 8 Best Car Stereo Systems of 2019". Lifewire. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  30. ↑ O'Kane, Sean (May 17, 2019). "Italy opens antitrust probe into Google because of a rejected Android Auto app". The Verge. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Wake Up Google! Your Customers Want Freedom of Navigation in Android Auto". sygic.com (in French). Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  32. ↑ Beedham, Matthew (December 15, 2020). "Google's Android Auto finally has a third-party app for navigation". Shift | The Next Web. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  33. ↑ Mickey Kataria, Director of Product Management, Android for cars (August 11, 2020). "New ways to reach more drivers on Android for cars". googleblog.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.