Getting started with Android Auto

Jul 24
07:25

2017

Ritesh Mehta

Ritesh Mehta

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Google indeed made a great job with the Android Auto. There are so many features, which keep the smart phone out of the hand and thus make for safer driving.

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Google has done a wonderful job even in its first iteration with Android Auto being very simple. There is no doubt that Android is everywhere. In the pocket,Getting started with Android Auto Articles on the wrist and well, occasionally on the face. It is in the kitchen, living room and now Android is in the car. Google has announced in 2014 the Android Auto and last year became a reality.

GET ANDROID IN YOUR CAR EASILY

Getting Android auto in the car is very simple. You plug the phone into a compatible receiver, either the infotainment system that comes with the car or an aftermarket head unit, with similar sort of cable used for charging. There is no user interface. There are so many features, all with one goal and that is to keep the phone out of the hand and make one safer behind the wheel. Users interact with compatible services and applications via voice actions and the input controls of vehicles, such as dashboard buttons or touchscreen.

ANDROID AUTO

Android Auto runs on the phone actually, such as Android 5.0 Lollipop and up and not on the car stereo head unit. This means that the phone is doing the heavy lifting and using data, then pushing the Android Auto user interface to the display. There is a separate required Android Auto application and Google Play Services does plenty of work here too.

ANDROID AUTO NAVIGATION

Cars come in all sizes and shapes as well as with all kinds of controls. For older vehicles, there is an Android Auto-enabled aftermarket head units. Some of the finer details will vary a bit. Nevertheless, the great thing on Android auto is that the overall experience would be si8milar whether one is in a brand new Audi or an older Civic. Moreover, there is no need to download a separate version of the favorite app just for Android Auto It is all bundled into one application on the phone. This is important since it enables a consistent UI, meaning there is no need to hunt for playlist in Google Play Music in one place on the display and look for the latest podcast in another. They are all in the same, familiar menu structure. This is key to keep things simple in the vehicle and Google has done a great job with it.

AUTO CURRENTLY SUPPORTS TWO KINDS OF APPS

Currently, Android Auto supports two kinds of applications:

  • Audio applications that enable users to browse and play music and spoken audio content in the vehicle.
  • Messaging applications that receive info notifications, send replies through voice in put in the car and read messages aloud through text-to-speech.

The existing audio and messaging applications developed for phones and tablets could be enabled to work in the vehicle, with no need to worry on vehicle-specific hardware differences. To enable the application for auto, the application should target Android 5.0 or higher. The manifest of the app should also declare the care capabilities it uses, like audio playback or messaging services.

ADVANTAGES OF ANDROID AUTO

1. Bigger interface. With Android Auto, there is a bigger interface, unless mounting a tablet in the car, which makes it easier to control the app while driving without taking the eyes off the road. As a matter of fact, that is the entire reason behind it. A bigger screen, and a bit altered OS means that one has bigger targets to touch, which make it easier Android Auto also keeps the phone quiet. The Android Auto only shows messages that it would read and one could respond verbally.

2. Brings favorite apps and services into one place. Whether the phone is connected to a compatible car display or in a car mount on the dashboard, the app brings favorite apps and services in a single place, which make them accessible in seamless and safer ways. One could bring music with applications such as Pandora, Spotify or Google Play Music, send messages and make calls with hands-free voice commands. Of course, there is a turn-by-turn directions to the destination with Google Maps.

HOW TO GET ANDROID AUTO IN THE CAR

Android Auto works only on compatible double-DIN touchscreen car stereos. It is either buy a new car where it is been factory-installed, or install one of the Android compatible car stereos in the vehicle. Once the stereo is installed, it should be updated to ensure compatibility with the latest Android phones that run on Lollipop 5.0 and up. No worries, since it is a pain-free process so long as one as one has a computer, internet connection and USB drive or SD card handy. Proceed to the website of the stereo manufacturer for details and instructions.

Definitely, bringing Android to a car generates more user loyalty. The Auto application would make driving safer and a lot more fun.