Being able to safely operate your smartphone while in the car is not only a matter of convenience, but one that can mean the difference between life and death. Google has taken this serious issue to task and is currently working with automakers to change the way we drive. Its new system integrates with vehicle touchscreens for the ability to use mobile apps while driving, such as Google Maps, Google Now, and Google music. Additionally, the new interface will support many of your favorite third party apps such as Spotify and Pandora. Not only that, but many of your car’s native functions such as climate control and audio will be accessible through the simple Android interface.
Installing the system in a compatible vehicle is extremely easy, simply connect your Android Smartphone using a USB cable. The first time you connect your phone to your car, you will have a few disclaimers to read and selections to make, then you will see the app displayed on your phone screen. Select it, and then you can begin to use Android’s best features right on your vehicle’s touchscreen. At this point, some potentially distracting phone features will be disabledand many features of your phone will operate by voice command and simple on-screen swipes, leaving you free to operate your vehicle in a safe manner.
One of the most impressive improvements is that the app will show an Android overlay on top of your car’s touchscreen. This simple interface will be at once familiar and intuitive. Using this system helps to streamline functions across different vehicle ecosystems as well as making changing between vehicles simple and seamless. But what exactly does Android Auto do?
It’s primarily focused on the most useful apps to use while driving, such as navigation, music, and communication. Let’s take a look at the main features.
There are five main information panels, each performing a different set of tasks: navigation, information, media and music, phone dialer, and a vehicle diagnostic panel that works with certain compatible vehicles to alert you to vital car information such as tire pressure or fuel efficiency readings.
Perhaps the most useful feature is the navigation panel which runs Google Maps tools to help get you to your destination, quickly and safely. Instead of complicated on-board GPS systems, the simple Google Maps interface has a familiar look and operation and destinations can be selected by voice command, for safe driving.
The information panel will alert you to incoming messages sent by SMS, Hangouts, WhatsApp, and Skype. Select a message and Android will read it aloud to you and give you the chance to respond by voice. You can also dictate new messages safely while driving.
The music and media panel lets you access music and podcasts on your smartphone and play it through the Vehicle's Audio System. It currently supports Google Play Music as well as Spotify, Pandora and certain podcasting apps. This great feature will keep you entertained no matter how long your trip is.
Currently, the diagnostic panel, which displays important info about your vehicle systems will work with selected cars, but Google is working with many manufacturers to expand this important feature to many more car models in the near future.
Recognizing the many advantages to bringing mobile smartphone power into vehicles, Google has created a powerful system to give users more information, easier communication, and better entertainment in automobiles. In the interest of safety, Google’s new system eliminates many dangerous phone distractions and makes full use of voice activation for commands and uses Google Voice Search in an integral way to safely access almost any information during your drive. With Android Auto , the future is here, and it promises to be more entertaining, more useful and safer for you and your family.
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