Google plan to discontinue the Android Auto app for Android headphone , and has created a new room to navigate using Google Assistant in Google Maps . Today Google said its raw Google Assistantdriving modefor Android phones is getting a new dashboard that ’s easy to use hand - innocent and wo n’t require you to set a terminus in Maps to get start . The Assistant driving mode will be bake into Android 12 when it roll out in the coming workweek , and the new splashboard will also be available on phones that ca n’t advance to 12 .
All you have to say is , “ Hey Google , permit ’s drive , ” and the unexampled driving way rocket launcher will look over the usual dwelling house screen . you’re able to also set a favorite Bluetooth gimmick to make the drive modal value belt down up once you ’ve turned on your railroad car and before you hit the road . you may scan more about how to set it uphere .
It ’s important to note that this change is specific to Android telephone , not the in - dash edition of Android Auto on your car ’s exhibit . If your auto lacks an in - dash display , you’re able to apply the phone interlingual rendition as a relief , and this update will make that well-to-do .

Google’s bringing a ton of new Assistant-led features to Android Auto on the phone and in the dash.Image: Google
Google calls the Assistant driving mode part of its “ voice - forward ” approach to facilitate citizenry use their devices safely while they ’re behind the rack . The party has been ferment on the changeover from the Android Auto app for phones since November 2020 , when it plunge the original Assistant drive way within the Google Maps app . The dispute now is that the feature film will be part of Android 12 , and it ’s no longer a standalone characteristic . It also wo n’t be uncommitted for iOS twist users .
Like the presently - to - be phase - out Android Auto app for smartphones , you may still get notifications understand aloud as they get in by asking Google to turn onauto - read . Automatic recommendations will bolt down on the map regardless if you ’re in navigation mode , as will entertainment recommendation from the apps you have installed on your smartphone . The young Google Assistant drive mode will also work with third - party railway car accessory like theRoav Bolt .
The newfangled Assistant driving mode features will start turn over out over the hail weeks , both as part of Android 12 and as an update for telephone set on older Android software . Google said that drug user trust on older versions of the Android Auto app or Assistant driving mode in Google Maps will be “ guided towards this experience , ” but that the app will remain in thePlay Storefor the time being . If you kick upstairs to Android 12 , the Android Auto phone app will go aside .

Say “Hey Google, let’s drive” and the Assistant driving mode dashboard will pop up on your phone.Gif: Google
Android Auto Changes Coming to the Car
Google is also add new feature article to Android Auto on car displays . The Assistant will start to serve more music , news , and podcast good word on the main show , and it will be able to switch apps on the screen with a vocalization command . Dual - SIM Android users will also be able to switch between different earphone numbers . And Android Auto will support piece of work profile in the railcar , so you ’ll see detail for meetings and counseling integrate with the rest of your living .
Though it might seem contrary to the whole hands - free part of using Android Auto , Google is also bringing games to the display , though only once Android Auto has detect that your car is parked . GameSnacksgames are design to help folks pass the time as they ’re , say , wait in the school day pickup line . It ’s also to help discourage you from ever putting your hand on your smartphone .
Another feature to bet out for in Android Auto is the ability to pay for gas using only your interpreter . Shout “ pay for natural gas , ” and the Assistant will ask for your pump act before it get going the transaction within Google Pay . The hands - free payment ability will be available at more than 32,500 natural gas station when it starts to twine out , set out with select Exxon and Mobile stations . Google plans to finally add financial backing for Shell , Conoco , Phillips 66 , and 76 stations over time .

An example of what the game apps will look like in Android Auto once the car is in Park.Image: Google
Google Built Right Into the Car
Google announced that Honda will protrude to use the Android Automotive platform in model like the Civic beginning in 2022 . Honda joinsFord , General Motors , Polestar , Renault , and Volvo in offering Android Automotive in its vehicles .
Android Automotive tend directly in the railway car and is more integrated with the rest of the ironware . you could apply Android Automotive to control parts of the car you ca n’t with regular Android Auto , like the HVAC and instrument clustering .
Electric vehicle will also get some novel features in Android Automotive . The OS will show more targeted selective information , like institutionalise station locations and whether they ’re readily uncommitted .
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As a longtime user of the Android Auto app for the smartphone — since its unveiling in 2015 — I’m glad to take heed some much - needed changes are coming to how Android does infotainment in the car . The conversion has n’t been easy for those of us who have dumb cars without displays . The Assistant drive mood within Google Maps stay on severely limited compare to the Android Auto for phones app — at least until the updated Assistant driving modal value undulate out . It ’s unclouded the app has n’t receive a significant update in a long time , and it does n’t have anywhere near the polish of Android Auto in the bolt .
I ’m curious how speedily the changeover will occur and if it ’ll be as fluid for non - Pixel smartphones that are n’t upgrading to Android 12 on day one . For now , it looks like I ’ll go on to use the Android Auto app for telephone set until the Assistant - pass drive mode is a sure thing on my gimmick .
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