Eagle-eyed Reddit user neo5468 spotted the change in the most recent version of the Android Auto companion app. The new setting, when enabled, allows you to initiate a command or web search when the Android Auto interface is on screen. Shout “OK Google” and your smartphone or tablet will begin listening for commands to play a song, for example, or adjust your phone’s volume level, toggle settings like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, pull up directions, or give the local temperature and elevation.
The feature appears to be rolling out gradually — that is to say, Google’s enabling the feature selectively. Installing the newest version of the Android Search and Auto apps might improve your chances, but you’ll still have to wait your turn.
For the uninitiated, Android Auto centers around a home screen containing the most relevant bits of information at any given moment. If you receive a phone call or text, you’ll see the content of a message, for example, and if there’s a road closure, you’ll see detour details. The platform’s apps include turn-by-turn navigation apps like Google Maps, music apps like Google Play Music, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Joyride, Stitcher, and communication apps like Google Hangouts.
The new and improved Android Auto — version 2.0 — provides access to car-optimized apps like Google Play Music, Maps, Pandora, and real-time information like traffic incidents and weather. It launches automatically when your phone is paired to your car via Bluetooth, and supports voice commands for Google Maps, music, and messaging apps. And it tightly integrates with vehicles from automakers like Honda and Hyundai. The latter’s MyHyundai
Google said more than 200 new car models from 50 brands now support Android Auto. The most recent to jump aboard, Kia, recently deployed
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