Android Auto is being phased out in favor of Google Assistant Driving mode on smartphones.
Incorporating some of the capabilities of Google Assistant Driving mode into Android Auto would be a significant improvement for the vehicle entertainment software.
A excellent thing, period, is software installed in vehicles that prohibits the use of cell phones while driving. However, not all automobiles are compatible with Apple Car Play or Android Auto, which is a limitation. Because that was the purpose of Android Auto for phone screens, its discontinuation in favor of Google Assistant Driving mode raises the question of whether this is a portent for what may be in store for Android Auto in its entirety in the future.
Finding solutions to relocate critical phone operations such as navigation, discussions, music, and phone calls to a larger display that is more visible to the driver is vastly preferable to reaching for a smaller phone screen. Not only is the screen smaller, but the number of touchpoints is also reduced. It’s also hit or miss when it comes to using voice control through Google Assistant in a loud car.
A car that has been properly configured to utilize speech as a way of accessing various functions includes microphones that are strategically placed so that the vehicle can best hear the driver’s voice while speaking. Using a phone to accomplish this is less than ideal, to say the least. Although Android Auto for phones did a good job of providing the driver with a relatively basic user interface (UI) with several touchpoints for making adjustments, it might have done better. The Google Assistant Driving mode is intended to address this issue.
Not only does the new app have a more user-friendly appearance than its predecessor, but it also incorporates some of the elements that make Google Assistant so useful — such as predictive predictions — into its functionality. If you have enabled this feature in your Google Account settings, Google Assistant will use the information it has about your schedule from being linked to your calendar and Gmail to assist provide ideas for traffic and travel times based on that information. I could see this as a significant improvement over the Android Auto system now in use in automobiles.
Now that I’ve acquired a car that is capable of supporting Android Auto, I can’t picture my life without it. Even with its flaws, I like it immensely. A number of new functions have been added to the Google-developed infotainment software in the previous year or two, but greater interaction with Google Assistant and an updated user interface would be greatly appreciated.
In its current state, there isn’t anything particularly objectionable about the way Android Auto appears. Even though I’m pleased that the option to alter the background has finally been included, there are still methods to improve the overall design and usefulness of the user interface. For example, an auto-sort for the most often used applications, as well as suggestions for new apps, would be beneficial. This is something that may be really beneficial in conjunction with improved Google Assistant integration.
The suggestions for phones made by Google Assistant Driving mode might help to build a more unified package, especially if Android Auto is used to provide an inclusive experience. Yes, Google Assistant is accessible in Android Auto, however it is just available as a voice assistant and does not have the predictive capabilities that are offered in the new phone app. Current relationships between the two pieces of software are still very distinct from one another.
As I discussed in my road trip battle between Waze and Google Maps, Google Maps on Android Auto is excellent but not flawless. The ability to display use information directly from what Google Assistant knows about a user’s smartphone queries that are travel-related on the vehicle’s display may be quite beneficial. Preventative measures, such as displaying traffic and travel times and then providing other route options, are more convenient than ones that need me to request them.
When driving, is it better to use a phone in a dedicated driving mode rather than fiddling with the device while on the road? Yes, as long as you use some excellent car accessories to properly display your phone so that you don’t have to take your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel all of the time. It is possible to minimize these instances even further by adding new capabilities to Google Assistant. Additionally, integrating some of the new Google Assistant Driving mode capabilities into Android Auto may allow for more time spent with the hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
