Android Auto brings all the features of Android available in your smartphone to the car environment and replaces the default car information and entertainment system. Google’s proprietary software provides information in a familiar and easy-to-use interface. Displaying information in the form of a card with the ability to reject and ignore, extensive and readable menus and large icons make the Android Auto user experience very attractive. In the new versions, a darker theme has been added to the software, which, along with the new application launcher pattern and a more intuitive interface, has made it more familiar to users than ever.
One of the best advantages of Android Auto is the navigation system based on Google Maps. The routing system guides the user step by step and suggests alternative routes if traffic is detected. If your car does not have an automatic navigation system, Android Auto will be an efficient solution. The destinations stored in the smartphone are also automatically transferred to the software, and as a result, you will not need to search and type to navigate to frequently used destinations, such as home, work, etc.
Thanks to an extensive collection of different applications, Android Auto offers a variety of features to users. Access to online music and podcasts, web browsing, making calls and messaging using applications such as Hangouts and WhatsApp and other messaging platforms are some of the most used features of Android Auto.
Users who use an Android phone equipped with version 9 or older have to download a particular application to use the features of Android Auto. The Android Auto application is available for free from the Google Play Store. Phones equipped with Android 10 use this feature by default. In general, all smartphones equipped with Android 5 and newer can use Android Auto features; As a result, you don’t necessarily need to buy a new smartphone to use this service. You must use the USB port to connect the smartphone to the smart car system. Of course, the latest phones from Samsung and some other manufacturers provide wireless connectivity by default with many cars.
Among the cars equipped with Android Auto support are cars from Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Kia, Honda, Volvo and Volkswagen. Of course, many more cars are on this list, and you can see the complete list by visiting www.android.com/auto/ website. Due to driver safety and privacy concerns, Lexus and its parent company, Toyota, did not enable Android Auto for years. Of course, the new cars of both brands, including 2020 models such as Tacoma, Sequoia, Tundra, 4Runner and RX, support this software. However, it is expected that we will see an increase in the number of cars on this list in the coming years. BMW and Porsche don’t support Android yet, But Porsche claimed in a new announcement that it might soon activate this feature in its cars.