Software:Android Auto

From HandWiki
Short description: Mobile app providing a vehicle-optimized user interface
Android Auto
Android Auto logo.svg
Android Auto Screenshot.png
Android Auto UI.png
Android Auto's UI
Original author(s)Google
Developer(s)Google
Initial releaseMarch 19, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-03-19)
Operating systemAndroid 8.0+[1]
TypeTelematics
LicenseProprietary
Websiteandroid.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.

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 are 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

References

  1. ↑ "Android Auto - Get more answers". Android. https://www.android.com/auto/#get-more-answers. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Devine, Richard (June 26, 2014). "What you need to know about Android Auto". Android Central. http://www.androidcentral.com/all-you-need-know-about-android-auto. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Goodwin, Antuan (June 25, 2014). "Google's new Android Auto is like Google Now for your car". CNET. CBS Interactive. https://www.cnet.com/news/google-unveils-android-auto-at-io-2014/. 
  4. ↑ Gorman, Michael (June 25, 2014). "Google gives us a simulated ride with Android Auto". Engadget. AOL Inc.. https://www.engadget.com/2014/06/25/android-auto-hands-on/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Android Auto: now available in every car". Official Google Blog. November 7, 2016. https://blog.google/products/android/android-auto-available-in-every-car/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Schoon, Ben (June 21, 2022). "Android Auto is now 'only for car screens,' as phone version shuts down for good" (in en-US). https://9to5google.com/2022/06/21/android-auto-only-car-screens/. 
  7. ↑ "Is the Android Auto app available in my country?". Android. https://www.android.com/auto/#get-more-answers. 
  8. ↑ Welch, Chris. "Google's launch of Android Auto starts today with Pioneer head units". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2015/3/19/8259565/google-launches-android-auto. 
  9. ↑ "Here's what's happening to Google's driving apps for Android 10, all three of them" (in en-US). September 5, 2019. https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/5/20850630/google-android-auto-assistant-maps-driving. 
  10. ↑ "The new Android Auto officially starts rolling out today, and it's mostly an improvement". July 30, 2019. https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/07/30/new-android-auto-update-improvements-hands-on-review/. 
  11. ↑ Schoon, Ben (December 3, 2020). "Android Auto expands to 36 more countries mainly in Europe" (in en-US). https://9to5google.com/2020/12/03/android-auto-europe-indonesia-expansion/. 
  12. ↑ @Android. "Android Auto is rolling out to Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden". https://twitter.com/Android/status/1376920861979123716.  Missing or empty |date= (help)
  13. ↑ "Android Auto is Getting a Much-Needed Makeover". May 12, 2022. https://gizmodo.com/android-auto-google-subaru-youtube-tubi-epix-now-maps-1848913997. 
  14. ↑ "New ways to stay connected and entertained in your car". May 12, 2022. https://blog.google/products/android/new-ways-to-stay-connected-and-entertained-in-your-car/. 
  15. ↑ "Android Auto's long-awaited redesign is nearly here — here's how you can take it for a test drive". November 11, 2022. https://www.androidpolice.com/android-autos-long-awaited-redesign-is-nearly-here-heres-how-you-can-take-it-for-a-test-drive/. 
  16. ↑ Moynihan, Tim (June 25, 2014). "Google Announces Android Auto, Its Answer to Apple's CarPlay". Wired (Condé Nast). https://www.wired.com/2014/06/android-auto/. Retrieved June 26, 2014. 
  17. ↑ "Autoradio GPS". https://www.player-top.fr/. 
  18. ↑ Reigh, Brian (January 8, 2018). "Google Assistant will soon live inside your car". Android Authority. https://www.androidauthority.com/google-assistant-android-auto-828718/. 
  19. ↑ "Android Auto: The First Great In-Car Infotainment System" (in en-US). WIRED. https://www.wired.com/2015/05/android-auto-first-great-car-infotainment-system/. Retrieved November 10, 2017. 
  20. ↑ "Bentayga FAQs" (in en). https://support.bentleymotors.com/eu/en/support-bentley/faqs/bentayga-faqs.html. 
  21. ↑ "Android Auto for Holden" (in en). https://www.android.com/auto/holden/. 
  22. ↑ "Maserati Second Generation head unit by AuCar for GranTurismo and GranCabrio" (in en-US). November 7, 2020. https://aucarauto.com/maserati-granturismo-grancabrio-android-carplay-head-unit-second-generation/. 
  23. ↑ "Porsche Press releases: New Porsche infotainment: knows more, does more and is a better listener - Porsche AG" (in en-EN). https://www.porsche.com/international/aboutporsche/pressreleases/pag/?id=644695&pool=international-de&lang=none. 
  24. ↑ "Android Auto". https://www.android.com/auto/. 
  25. ↑ "Pioneer-Android-Auto". http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Press-Room/Car-Audio-Video/Pioneer's+Second+Generation+NEX+Receivers+with+Android+Auto+and+Apple+CarPlay+Now+Available+at+Authorized+Retailers. 
  26. ↑ "Kenwood-Android-Auto". http://mediawire.press/kenwood/kenwood-ships-multimedia-receivers-with-apple-carplay-and-android-auto. 
  27. ↑ "Android Auto for Panasonic" (in en-IN). https://www.android.com/intl/en_in/auto/panasonic/. 
  28. ↑ "Android Auto for Sony". https://www.sony.com/electronics/in-car-receivers-players/xav-ax100. 
  29. ↑ Kim Bussing, Anton Galang (June 27, 2019). "The 8 Best Car Stereo Systems of 2019". https://www.lifewire.com/best-car-stereo-systems-4053253. 
  30. ↑ O'Kane, Sean (May 17, 2019). "Italy opens antitrust probe into Google because of a rejected Android Auto app". https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/17/18629912/google-android-auto-italy-antitrust-probe-enel-group. 
  31. ↑ "Wake Up Google! Your Customers Want Freedom of Navigation in Android Auto" (in fr). https://www.sygic.com/fr/blog/2018/wake-up-google-your-customers-wants-freedom-of-navigation-in-android-auto. 
  32. ↑ Beedham, Matthew (December 15, 2020). "Google's Android Auto finally has a third-party app for navigation" (in en-us). https://thenextweb.com/shift/2020/12/15/googles-android-auto-finally-has-a-third-party-app-for-navigation/. 
  33. ↑ Mickey Kataria, Director of Product Management, Android for cars (August 11, 2020). "New ways to reach more drivers on Android for cars" (in en). https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2020/08/android-for-cars.html. 

External links



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