Android Auto Will Make Your Future Car Smarter
Earlier at Google’s I/O Developer Conference, Android’s Director of Engineering Patrick Brady introduced the company’s own version of the in-car infotainment system – Android Auto.
A sneak peek was given to us when details were revealed earlier this year, as Google had formed a global alliance called the Open Automotive Alliance with major carmakers such as Hyundai, Honda, Audi, GM, and many others, with NVIDIA partnering up to provide the GPU solutions for Android Auto.
Being an operating system for your car, Android Auto looks to compete with Apple’s CarPlay system head on. However, Android Auto is not installed on the car itself but rather it is a user-friendly car mode that will be available on your smartphone running Android L. Plugging your phone in a compatible car’s in-dash unit projects your smartphone’s display onto your car’s infotainment display without breaking a sweat.
Once proper connection is established between the phone and the car, Android Auto comes into play – the software presents itself on the display with simple elements to minimize distraction.
The card like interface shown on the image above resembles Google Now on our Android-powered smartphones because that is where Android Auto borrows most of its key elements. Acting as your car’s Google Now, Android Auto becomes contextually aware of its surroundings, presenting information relevant to your driving habits that Google Now currently knows about you. Whether it’s 8 in the morning or 5 in the afternoon, Android Auto gives you travel directions wherever you go, even providing you shortcuts when you’re on your everyday commute.
Lastly, since Android Auto directly comes from your smartphone, you can interact with the Android Auto UI through the car’s infotainment display – opening apps, listening to music, and many others, apart from navigating through the Maps as mentioned earlier.
There are already demo videos of Android Auto available around the internet, with Google showing off the Google Play Music and Google Maps experience. Voice actions were also present in the demo, which means that Android Auto can provide its users a hands-free experience while on the road.
According to Google, 40 new partners have already joined its newly formed alliance, with 25 already preparing to ship Android Auto in the “not-so-distant” future. Will it be this year? Next year? Fortunately, the first cars with Android Auto are scheduled to hit the road before the end of this year. Pretty exciting, isn’t it?
A sneak peek was given to us when details were revealed earlier this year, as Google had formed a global alliance called the Open Automotive Alliance with major carmakers such as Hyundai, Honda, Audi, GM, and many others, with NVIDIA partnering up to provide the GPU solutions for Android Auto.
Being an operating system for your car, Android Auto looks to compete with Apple’s CarPlay system head on. However, Android Auto is not installed on the car itself but rather it is a user-friendly car mode that will be available on your smartphone running Android L. Plugging your phone in a compatible car’s in-dash unit projects your smartphone’s display onto your car’s infotainment display without breaking a sweat.
Once proper connection is established between the phone and the car, Android Auto comes into play – the software presents itself on the display with simple elements to minimize distraction.
The card like interface shown on the image above resembles Google Now on our Android-powered smartphones because that is where Android Auto borrows most of its key elements. Acting as your car’s Google Now, Android Auto becomes contextually aware of its surroundings, presenting information relevant to your driving habits that Google Now currently knows about you. Whether it’s 8 in the morning or 5 in the afternoon, Android Auto gives you travel directions wherever you go, even providing you shortcuts when you’re on your everyday commute.
Lastly, since Android Auto directly comes from your smartphone, you can interact with the Android Auto UI through the car’s infotainment display – opening apps, listening to music, and many others, apart from navigating through the Maps as mentioned earlier.
There are already demo videos of Android Auto available around the internet, with Google showing off the Google Play Music and Google Maps experience. Voice actions were also present in the demo, which means that Android Auto can provide its users a hands-free experience while on the road.
According to Google, 40 new partners have already joined its newly formed alliance, with 25 already preparing to ship Android Auto in the “not-so-distant” future. Will it be this year? Next year? Fortunately, the first cars with Android Auto are scheduled to hit the road before the end of this year. Pretty exciting, isn’t it?
 | #TPWriterFellows Batch 1 Member and DLSU student, Nico Aguila is the self-proclaimed 'official' tech support guy of his friends. He's always ready to give you tips and tricks with Android devices and even gives you advice on which phone or tablet you should get whether it be running on Android, iOS, or Windows Phone operating system. Nico sees TechPinas as the best tech website in the Philippines and also as his safe haven when he reads tech news that is happening in the country. When he graduates, Nico plans to find a stable job in tech, have a family when he can, and of course, expose his future kids to technology and TechPinas so that they'll enjoy great bonding times together. |
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