Items tagged with android auto
Android Auto was supposed to bring wireless connectivity to all Android devices starting with the release of Android 9.0 Pie. That obviously did not happen—now more than a year later, it has only arrived on a spattering of phones, including Google's own Pixel handsets and its Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X. Well, that is starting to change. Android Auto is expanding its wireless reach to select Samsung phones. As outlined in an updated support document, Android Auto supports wireless connectivity on nine Samsung handsets, which more than doubles the total number of supported phones to 17 devices. Here is the full list... Pixel and Pixel XL Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL Nexus 5X and...
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Google is talking up a new look for Android Auto that comes only a couple of months after it was updated with dark mode and other new features. The update includes a new Android Auto app launcher that gives drivers and passengers access to their favorite apps with fewer touches. The most commonly used apps will be featured in the top row of the launcher. The app launcher is opened by pressing the bottom left button. Several of the icons on the screen will have the Google Assistant badge. Those apps can be tapped, and then Assistant will then provide drivers with relevant information. With the calendar, for instance, the Assistant will tell the driver about their day, give weather reports, read...
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Google I/O isn't scheduled to kick off until tomorrow, but Google has announced an update for it Android Auto infotainment system ahead of schedule. Perhaps tomorrow's event is just too jam-packed full of awesomeness to include Android Auto, but for whatever the reason, there's plenty of new stuff to talk about. For starters, Android Auto is getting a new look with a new "dark theme," which likely foreshadows a similar design aesthetic that will come to Android Q on the smartphone side of things. Google says that this darker color palette is "easy on the eyes" and should allow the UI to better blend in with your vehicle's interior (many of which feature black or dark grey upper...
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Could it be that all Android devices that end up getting upgraded to Android 9.0 (otherwise known as Android P) will support Android Auto, and not just a spattering of devices? It appears that is the direction things are headed. Kenwood, a maker car audio products including infotainment head units supporting Android Auto, stated in a press release that support for all devices will be implemented in Android 9.0. Here is the relevant blurb from Kenwood's press release: "The only devices that currently support wireless Android Auto are four versions of the Google Pixel—the first-generation Pixel and Pixel XL and the second-generation Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL—and the legacy Nexus 5X and...
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The Google I/O developer conference is nearly at hand—it runs from May 8-10, taking place at the Shoreline Ampitheatre in Mountain View, California. Ahead of the event, Google pushed out an update to its I/O Android app for the 2018 edition of the developer conference, and with it came some information about Android Auto and the changes that are in store for the mobile app. Android Auto is set to deliver a "brand new media experience" with updated visuals and features "both on your phone screen and on your car display." Part of that will consist of the latest evolution of the Material Design that Google has been so focused on across its various products and services. There aren't a lot...
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In-car infotainment systems powered by Google’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are increasingly being found in new vehicles, and customers often weigh that support heavily when choosing a vehicle to purchase. Up until this point, all versions of Android Auto have required a physical connection with your car via a USB cable to function. However, Android Auto over Wi-Fi is finally ready for primetime. Both JVC and Kenwood currently have Android Auto-compatible head units that support Wi-Fi connectivity, but software support wasn't enabled on Google's side. That changes with Android Auto v3.1. According to Android Police, users will first need to connect their compatible smartphone...
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BMW is well known for nickel and diming customers with outrageously priced option packages. However, BMW's latest boondoggle could be one of its most egregious acts yet -- starting next year, it will begin charging a subscription fee to access Apple CarPlay. Yes, you heard that correctly. Don Smith, technology product manager for BMW North America, told The Verge that the German auto giant will charge $80 per year to access CarPlay. To help soften the blow somewhat, the company says that the first year of access will be provided for free. BMW currently charges a flat $300 option fee to enable CarPlay support on 2017+ model year automobiles. To make matters worse, BMW's reasoning for switching...
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Android Auto has been around for a while now and allows users to connect their Android smartphone to compatible infotainment systems in cars, along with some aftermarket audio systems. The catch is that connecting the smartphone to these infotainment systems requires a cable and a USB port. Having to connect your phone via a cable to use the features is not ideal, especially considering that many cars now include as standard (or as an option) wireless charging pads. That is about to change with JVCKENWOOD announcing that it will be showing off a new line of products under the JVC band that will be Wi-Fi enabled and support wireless connectivity for Android Auto use. That means you can wirelessly...
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If you are a fan of Google’s crowdsourced Waze navigation app and have a vehicle that supports Android Auto, you have up to this point been able to pair the two together. That, however, all changes today. Google has just released the Android Auto version of Waze to Google Play, meaning that you will be able to enjoy most of the fruits of the regular smartphone app. When you fire up Waze for Android Auto, the interface should be instantly familiar, but Google has made some changes to make the app less distraction for drivers (something that regulators and automakers have been harping on with system like Android Auto and CarPlay). For starters, you won’t be able to partake in map chat and gas prices...
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If you own a 2016 Ford car or truck, some new smartphone/infotainment goodness is now coming your way. The American auto giant today announced its SYNC 3 version 2.2 software, which enables both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for all 2016 model year vehicles. So, if you own a lowly Fiesta subcompact or a highfalutin F-150 King Ranch pavement pounder (or anything in between), you’re covered. Getting SYNC 3 v2.2 is quite simple, and you have one of three ways to perform the update. If your vehicle is Wi-Fi-enabled, you can perform an over-the-air (OTA) update from within the vehicle to upgrade to the latest version of SYNC 3 (using the Automatic System Updates feature). Alternatively, you can download...
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How would you like it if Android was behind the operating system powering your instrument cluster and the display screen mounted in the center of your dashboard? No, we’re not talking about the Android Auto intermediary that is being supported by more and more auto manufacturers, but the full-blown Android operating system. Google is set to unveil such an endeavor this week at Google I/O. According to the Bloomberg, Google’s efforts would put it in direct head-to-head combat with BlackBerry’s QNX operating system, which is found in over 50 million cars traveling the world’s roads. But whereas the Android Auto interface in effect runs on your smartphone and is projected onto your vehicle’s display...
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As was promised by Google a long time ago, Android Auto users can now fire up the interface on their smartphones, the Mountain View company announced in a blog post. The mobile phone functionality is part of the newly released Android Auto 2.0 update, which Google is rolling out to users in more than 30 countries over the coming days. Since launching two years ago, the Android Auto platform has spread to over 200 new car models from more than 50 brands, and there are more launching each day. However, there was no way of using Android Auto on the millions of existing vehicles lacking integrated screens, a fairly common features on many new automobiles sold today. That's where Android Auto 2.0...
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Ford has announced some pretty big news for its 2017 vehicle lineup. Earlier in the year, the Dearborn, Michigan-based company announced that Android Auto and CarPlay would be coming to all of its 2017 model year vehicles equipped with SYNC 3. Today, Ford expanded on that previous announcement to state that all of its 2017 model year vehicles will support SYNC 3, Android Auto, and CarPlay. That means each and every 2017 model year car, light truck, and SUV will be able to support the latest smartphone-based infotainment solutions from Google and Apple. Customers who don’t want to take advantage of the fully-integrated solutions from the top smartphone OS makers can also choose to add apps directly...
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Long gone are the days when a tape deck and digital display constituted a fancy in-car stereo system. In today's connected world, dashboard entertainment is becoming ever more sophisticated and convenient, a fact that's highlighted by Ford expanding its SYNC connectivity system to include support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G LTE, and several new AppLink apps. In North America, each and every 2017 Ford vehicle equipped with SYNC 3 is getting support for CarPlay and Android Auto, starting with the new Ford Escape. Support will also come for owners of 2016 model Ford cars equipped with SYNC 3, though the opportunity to upgrade will arrive sometime "later in the year," Ford says. "SYNC allows...
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After initially promising that Apple CarPlay support would be made available in 2015 model year Sonata (which started arriving on dealer lots in late 2014), Hyundai failed to deliver. We’re now coming up on the closing days of 2015 and the CarPlay update is still nowhere to be found. So what the heck is going? Well, apparently the update has turned out to be a bigger endeavor for Hyundai, and the South Korean car company is now promising that it will make the updates available during Q1 2016, one year after it was originally planned. "Hyundai and Apple are committed to delivering drivers the best possible experience while using CarPlay in their vehicles," said Hyundai in a statement. "We are...
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The battle for your car’s dashboard is well underway, with Apple and Google lobbying heavily to get their auto platforms into your next car. Earlier this year, Chevrolet opted to include both Apple and Google in its cars going forward, giving customers the benefit of each platform’s full feature set. The company announced progress in that endeavor this week, saying that an Android Auto update is due for many Chevy dashboards by March 2016.Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Image credit: Chevrolet“Thanks to the hard work and determination of our engineering team, Chevrolet consumers who use Android phones will not have to compromise when choosing which MyLink system meets their needs – both the seven-inch...
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Volkswagen is taking a kitchen sink approach to in-car infotainment technology for its new vehicles. All 2016 VWs will include both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay so customers can have a solid experience regardless of their smartphone brand. Android Auto“With the new MIB II infotainment platform, Volkswagen’s next generation of Car-Net connected services brings to market one of the most comprehensive suites of connectivity features ever available in an automobile,” said Volkswagen of America president and CEO Michael Horn. “As the people car brand, we knew that it was important to democratize these technologies across the Volkswagen line-up, with features like App-Connect ensuring that more consumers...
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In late May, Hyundai became the first automaker to officially support Android Auto with a software update to its 2015 (and newer) Sonata midsize sedans. At the time, Hyundai said that it would add support for Apple CarPlay at a later date. This week, however, Honda announced that is refreshed 2016 Honda Accord, a direct competition for the Sonata, is debuting with both Android Auto and CarPlay support fresh out of the box. CarPlay requires iOS 7.1 or higher, while Android Auto requires Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher. Both allow you to mirror functions from your smartphone like texting, navigation, and streaming audio playback (that would otherwise take your eyes too far off the road) to your...
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Tech giants like Apple and Google are making a big play to take over your car’s dashboard. Their respective CarPlay and Android Auto platforms allow you to connect your smartphone via a USB cable (or wirelessly in future implementations of CarPlay) and mirror functionality to your vehicle’s center-mounted display. Phone, texting, audio streaming, and navigation functionality is all made accessible through the touch screen in a format that supposedly cuts down on distracted driving, making the roads safer for us all. As we find ourselves becoming part of an increasingly connected world, it was only a matter of time before our vehicles started becoming an extension of the smartphones that we carry...
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Fully baked-in Android Auto support is officially kicking off today with Hyundai’s mainstream Sonata midsize sedan (third-party head units began supporting Android Auto earlier this year). Drivers of 2015 or newer Sonatas can take their vehicles to their nearest dealership to have their existing infotainment system updates to support Android Auto. If you prefer to perform the update yourself rather than step foot into a Hyundai service bay, customers will be able to perform the update on their own later this summer (presumably via a USB stick). There are a couple of prerequisites, however, before you can take advantage of Android Auto on your Sonata. For starters, the Sonata has to be equipped...
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Google this week made its Android Auto platform now available for devices running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and higher, provided you own a compatible car stereo head unit. Pioneer gets first dibs on that front with a trio of compatible models -- AVIC-8100NEX, AVIC-7100NEX, and AVH-4100NEX -- though Google says more partners will jump on board. "Starting today, you can get Android Auto in your car with your Android 5.0+ phone and compatible Pioneer head units," Google stated in a Google+ post. "Available in the US, UK, and AU. Stay tuned for more partners coming soon." This has been a long time coming. Google first unveiled Android Auto during its Google I/O event last year, saying that cars would...
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Google is engrossed with self-driving cars and Apple has reportedly assembled a super team of engineers to build an electric vehicle to take on Tesla. Whether or not either venture makes it into the mainstream is something we won't know for at least several more years, but in the meantime, both companies are also jockeying for dominance in the in-car dash market. As in-car electronics become more sophisticated and connected with our mobile devices, there's definitely a growing market for platforms like Google's Android Auto and Apple's CarPlay. And as each company makes its respective pitch, expect more and more dealerships around the country to begin offering these platforms, either as standard...
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