Google’s phone-free Android Auto system could be in your next car

By Alexander Kalogianni December 29, 2014

google wants to install android directly into cars auto 2 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Following Apple’s lead with its planned CarPlay infotainment system, which optimizes a compatible console unit for the iPhone OS, Google already has something similar in the works debuting in 2015 called Android Auto.

The current software requires connection to an Android-powered phone to be connected to the car, but according to Reuters, Google wants to take things even further. The company plans to offer automakers the opportunity to install an upcoming version of the Android software directly into the car’s infotainment unit, becoming the standard operating interface.

android auto — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The direct integration would mean that it would operate phone free, allowing drivers to access internet functions like navigation and other apps without the need to pair a mobile device. Cutting out the middleman sounds like a smart move, but it won’t be without concern.

At the moment, CarPlay and Android Auto work on top of an auto manufacturer’s infotainment operating system, something they painstakingly develop in-house. They do so to provide a unique experience to its customers so that the BMW iDrive is different from Ford’s Sync, for example, so car companies might not be to keen shedding an element of their brand appeal.

The other concerns are safety and liability. Google is nigh-omnipresent in our lives, and handing over access to data where they can log your locations, fuel levels and speeds would raise more than a few concerns. At best, a company’s bottom line could be affected by consumers weary of such data collection. At worst, it’s a pandora’s box of how the data could be used in legal situations.

Both Apple and Google’s in-car systems have yet to even fully roll out, so this may be a case of putting the cart before the horse, but we’ll see how things play out in the future.

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Alexander Kalogianni

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…

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The best Android Auto head units

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Maybe your vehicle’s stereo has gone kaput, or perhaps it’s time for an upgrade. Maybe you’re just tired of humming along to a washed-out, tinny sound. Whatever the reason, an aftermarket head unit is usually the solution. Many people have Android smartphones and would also like to take advantage of Android Auto, which allows popular phone features to be projected into the vehicle’s dash. No matter the need, there are several options available, but before you run out and buy a new stereo, consider these things first:

How much room do you have: Different vehicles have different dash configurations that make picking a head unit a bit more challenging. Some vehicles have what is known as a double-DIN stereo, which is essentially two “slots” stacked together. Others have a single-DIN stereo, which is a smaller space overall. You’ll need to know which units will fit before shopping.
Installation: Many car audio shops will install anything purchased in their store, but if you’re buying online, you’ll need to make sure your local shop will accept the job. Installing yourself is an option, but newer vehicles’ electronics are very complex and there may be additional parts (brackets, mounts, etc) that you didn’t know you needed.
Other vehicle systems: In some vehicles, removing the stereo will cause all sorts of problems with other systems, such as airbags, climate controls, and theft deterrent systems. It’s important to know how your vehicle will behave once the stock head unit is removed.
Appearance: If you have an older vehicle, you may want to preserve the stock look of the dash. In these cases, a custom install or running your smartphone separately might be a good idea, because Android Auto head units take up a lot of space. They also don’t look particularly period-correct. In other cases, make sure that the head unit’s color scheme and appearance fit with the rest of your vehicle’s interior aesthetic.