“Hey Google, did you upgrade your AI in my Android Auto?”
Google’s Android Auto has long been a competitor to Apple’s CarPlay in the realm of in-car infotainment systems, but recent developments indicate that Google is making significant strides to enhance its platform. Launched ahead of CarPlay, Android Auto has struggled to maintain a lead, particularly as Apple introduced its own innovative features. However, with the latest upgrade rolling out today, users with the Gemini app on their smartphones can now experience a more interactive driving environment. This update aims to bridge the gap between smartphone functionality and in-car systems, allowing for seamless audio casting and navigation directly from the phone to the car’s infotainment system.
While Apple has made headlines with its advanced CarPlay Ultra, which offers a comprehensive takeover of a vehicle’s digital user interface, Google has been quietly expanding its influence through Android Automotive OS (AAOS). This specialized version of Android is designed for automotive applications, providing the stability and performance needed for in-car systems. AAOS has gained traction among various automotive manufacturers, including General Motors, Volkswagen Group, and Stellantis, with many vehicles now featuring this robust operating system. However, not all implementations of AAOS come with Google’s suite of services, such as Google Maps and Google Assistant, which have previously impressed users, as seen in the original Polestar 2.
The competition between Android Auto and CarPlay highlights a pivotal moment in the automotive industry, where software integration is becoming as critical as hardware. As both platforms continue to evolve, the advancements in user interaction and system capabilities will play a significant role in shaping the future of in-car technology. Google’s latest upgrade is a clear indication that it is committed to enhancing user experience and keeping pace with Apple, ensuring that drivers can enjoy a more connected and interactive journey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwrkkZERkGs
Google’s platform for casting audio and navigation apps from a smartphone to a car’s infotainment system beat Apple’s to market by a good while, but that head start has not always kept
Android Auto
in the lead ahead of
CarPlay
. But an upgrade rolls out today—provided you already have Gemini on your phone, now it can interact with you while you drive.
What has sometimes felt like a hands-off approach by Google toward Android Auto didn’t reflect an indifference to making inroads into the automotive world. Apple might have its flashy CarPlay Ultra that lets the company
take over the look and feel of a car’s digital UI
, but outside of an Aston Martin, where will any of us encounter that?
Meanwhile the confusingly similarly named
Android Automotive OS
—a version of Android developed to run with the kind of stability required in a vehicle as opposed to a handheld—has made solid inroads with automakers, and you’ll find AAOS running in dozens of makes from OEMs like
General Motors
, Volkswagen Group,
Stellantis
, Geely, and more, although not always with the Google Automotive Services—Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant—that impressed us
in 2021
when we drove the original Polestar 2.
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