Android Auto will bring Google Now, full smartphone integration to your dashboard

By Ronan Glon November 30, 2014

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

Google is highlighting the long-awaited Android Auto technology that will soon be available in a number of new cars.

Designed as an alternative to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto lets the driver access compatible applications installed on his or her smartphone by using either a car’s touch screen or voice commands. Smartphones automatically go into car mode when they are plugged into a car’s USB port and linked via Bluetooth.

Android Auto’s home screen looks similar to the popular Google Now application. It provides cards that give relevant information such as nearby attractions, commute suggestions, warnings about traffic delays and the weather forecast, and it is also where notifications received from the miscellaneous applications are displayed. Additionally, drivers can use Android auto to set a reminder while driving.

At the bottom of the screen is a utility bar with icons used to select a song, make a phone call, access car-related information or get navigation directions. Touching a microphone icon located at the top right of the screen lets the driver give voice commands or reply to a text message while staying focused on the road ahead.

Users can access their content regardless of what car they’re driving because Android Auto is run by the native mobile platform, not by the built-in infotainment system. Simply put, the software overrides the manufacturer’s infotainment system.

Google believes Android Auto can make driving safer by reducing distractions and keeping the driver connected on the go. Automakers seem to agree since General Motors, Volvo, Honda, Hyundai and Audi are among the 28 automakers that have expressed interest in incorporating the technology in their cars.

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Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

Audio / Video

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The Amazon Music app for iOS and Android now comes with an optional car mode that offers up a simplified interface that can automatically launch as soon as you connect to your car's Bluetooth system.

It looks like the ideal solution for those who don't have an infotainment system that's compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto but want to stream music from Amazon Music while driving. According to an email from Amazon's PR partner, the new feature was designed "to limit extensive browsing while driving." Curiously, however, on the webpage that promotes car mode, Amazon warns its customers that they should not "interact with this app while operating your vehicle." Which naturally raises the question: Why give the app a car mode at all?

Cars

The best Android Auto head units

best android auto head units 1e755b6f4820d4a252af27261c02340d

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.

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How to use Android Auto

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Google developed Android Auto for motorists who are frustrated with their car's native infotainment system. Like rival software Apple CarPlay, Android Auto gives drivers the option of embedding a familiar, smartphone-like interface into their touchscreen.

Further reading