Wikipedia

Android Auto

This article is about the application intended for using an Android device in a vehicle. For the operating system tailored for cars, seeAndroid Automotive.

Android Autois amobile appdeveloped byGoogleto mirror features of asmartphone(or otherAndroiddevice) on a car's dashboard information and entertainmenthead unit.

Android Auto
Original author(s)Google
Developer(s)Google
Initial release19 March 2015;9 years ago(2015-03-19)
Stable release
13.1 (Build 6442) / 1 November 2024;23 days ago(2024-11-01)[1][2]
Operating systemAndroid 8.0+[3]
TypeTelematics
LicenseProprietary
Websiteandroid /auto

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 includeGPSmappingandnavigation,music playback,SMS,telephone, andWeb search.The system supports both touchscreen and button-controlled head units. Hands-free operation throughvoice commandsis available and recommended to reduce driver distraction.

Android Auto is part of theOpen Automotive Alliance,a joint effort of 28 automobile manufacturers, withNvidiaas tech supplier, available in 36 countries.

Functionality

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Left: anautomotive head unitshowing Android Auto on the car's dashboard; right: aDacia Logan MCV 2fitted with onboard Android Auto unit showingGoogle Maps

Android Auto is software that can be utilized from anAndroidmobile device,acting as a master to a vehicle's dashboardhead unit.[4]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-specificuser interfaceprovided by the Android Auto app.[4][5]In Android Auto's first iterations, the device was required to be connected via USB to the car.[6]

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.[7]This app was decommissioned in June 2022 in favor of a Driving Mode built into the Google Assistant app.[8]

Availability

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As of February 2022,Android Auto is available in 48 countries:[9]

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • France
  • Germany
  • Guatemala
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Pakistan
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela

History

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Android Auto was revealed atGoogle I/O2014. The app was released to the public on March 19, 2015.[10]In November 2016, Google implemented an app that would run the Android Auto UI on the mobile device.[7][11]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.[12]

In December 2020, Google announced the expansion of Android Auto to 36 additional countries in Europe, Indonesia, and more.[13]In April 2021, Android Auto launched in Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden.[14]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.[15]CoolWalk was originally slated to launch in Q3 2022.[16]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 theGoogle Assistantapp for a similar purpose.[8]In November 2022, the CoolWalk user interface was released in Android Auto's beta program.[17]

App support

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An Android AutoSDKhas been released, allowing third parties to modify their apps to work with Android Auto;[5]initially, onlyAPIsfor music and messaging apps were available.[18][19]

AtCES 2018,Google confirmed that theGoogle Assistantwould be coming to Android Auto later in the year.[20]

Head unit support

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See also:Automotive head unit

In May 2015,Hyundaibecame the first manufacturer to offer Android Auto support, making it first available in the 2015Hyundai Sonata.[21]Automobile manufacturers that will offer Android Auto support in their cars includeAbarth,Acura,Alfa Romeo,Aston Martin,Audi,Bentley,[22]Buick,BMW,BYD,Cadillac,Chevrolet,Chrysler,Citroën,Dodge,Ferrari,Fiat,Ford,GMC,Genesis,Holden,[23]Honda,Hyundai,Infiniti,Jaguar Land Rover,Jeep,Kia,Lamborghini,Lexus,Lincoln,Mahindra and Mahindra,Maserati,[24]Maybach,Mazda,Mercedes-Benz,Mitsubishi,Nissan,Opel,Peugeot,Porsche,[25]RAM,Renault,SEAT,Škoda,SsangYong,Subaru,Suzuki,Tata Motors Cars,Toyota,VolkswagenandVolvo.[26]

Additionally, aftermarket car-audio systems supporting Android Auto add the technology into host vehicles, including Pioneer,[27]Kenwood,[28]Panasonic,[29]and Sony.[30][31]

Criticism

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In May 2019,Italyfiled an antitrust complaint targeting Android Auto, citing a Google policy of allowing third-parties to only offer media and messaging apps on the platform, preventingEnelfrom offering an app for locating vehiclecharging stations.[32]

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.[33]But since 2020, third party mapping apps such asSygicare also available.[34]

Google announced a new SDK to be released to select partners in August 2020 and to be generally available by the end of 2020.[35]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Android Auto".Google Play.RetrievedNovember 7,2024.
  2. ^"Android Auto 13.1.6442".APKMirror.November 1, 2024.RetrievedNovember 7,2024.
  3. ^"Android Auto - Get more answers".Android.RetrievedFebruary 18,2023.
  4. ^abDevine, Richard (June 26, 2014)."What you need to know about Android Auto".Android Central.RetrievedJune 27,2014.
  5. ^abGoodwin, Antuan (June 25, 2014)."Google's new Android Auto is like Google Now for your car".CNET.CBS Interactive.RetrievedJune 26,2014.
  6. ^Gorman, Michael (June 25, 2014)."Google gives us a simulated ride with Android Auto".Engadget.AOL Inc.RetrievedJune 26,2014.
  7. ^ab"Android Auto: now available in every car".Official Google Blog. November 7, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon November 7, 2016.
  8. ^abSchoon, Ben (June 21, 2022)."Android Auto is now 'only for car screens,' as phone version shuts down for good".9to5Google.RetrievedSeptember 24,2022.
  9. ^"Is the Android Auto app available in my country?".Android.RetrievedApril 3,2021.
  10. ^Welch, Chris."Google's launch of Android Auto starts today with Pioneer head units".The Verge.RetrievedAugust 19,2019.
  11. ^"Here's what's happening to Google's driving apps for Android 10, all three of them".The Verge.September 5, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 24,2022.
  12. ^"The new Android Auto officially starts rolling out today, and it's mostly an improvement".July 30, 2019.
  13. ^Schoon, Ben (December 3, 2020)."Android Auto expands to 36 more countries mainly in Europe".9to5Google.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  14. ^@Android (March 30, 2021)."Android Auto is rolling out to Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  15. ^"Android Auto is Getting a Much-Needed Makeover".Gizmodo.May 12, 2022.
  16. ^"New ways to stay connected and entertained in your car".Google Blog.May 12, 2022.
  17. ^"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.
  18. ^Moynihan, Tim (June 25, 2014)."Google Announces Android Auto, Its Answer to Apple's CarPlay".Wired.Condé Nast.RetrievedJune 26,2014.
  19. ^"Autoradio GPS".Archivedfrom the original on March 14, 2016.RetrievedMarch 17,2016.
  20. ^Reigh, Brian (January 8, 2018)."Google Assistant will soon live inside your car".Android Authority.RetrievedJanuary 10,2018.
  21. ^"Android Auto: The First Great In-Car Infotainment System".WIRED.RetrievedNovember 10,2017.
  22. ^"Bentayga FAQs".English.RetrievedNovember 2,2021.
  23. ^"Android Auto for Holden".Android.RetrievedFebruary 26,2019.
  24. ^"Maserati Second Generation head unit by AuCar for GranTurismo and GranCabrio".AuCar.November 7, 2020.RetrievedApril 5,2021.
  25. ^"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.RetrievedOctober 2,2021.
  26. ^"Android Auto".
  27. ^"Pioneer-Android-Auto".RetrievedAugust 28,2015.
  28. ^"Kenwood-Android-Auto".Archived fromthe originalon January 25, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 4,2016.
  29. ^"Android Auto for Panasonic".Android.RetrievedNovember 17,2016.
  30. ^"Android Auto for Sony".RetrievedJuly 25,2017.
  31. ^Kim Bussing, Anton Galang (June 27, 2019)."The 8 Best Car Stereo Systems of 2019".Lifewire.Archived fromthe originalon August 11, 2019.RetrievedAugust 11,2019.
  32. ^O'Kane, Sean (May 17, 2019)."Italy opens antitrust probe into Google because of a rejected Android Auto app".The Verge.RetrievedMay 18,2019.
  33. ^"Wake Up Google! Your Customers Want Freedom of Navigation in Android Auto".sygic(in French).RetrievedApril 20,2020.
  34. ^Beedham, Matthew (December 15, 2020)."Google's Android Auto finally has a third-party app for navigation".Shift | The Next Web.RetrievedMarch 18,2021.
  35. ^Mickey Kataria (August 11, 2020)."New ways to reach more drivers on Android for cars".googleblog.
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