Source: Google.
Android Auto has gone from strength to strength, with over 200 million cars using the operating system as of 2024. That number is only set to grow, so it makes plenty of sense that Google is looking to make the user experience even better.
In order to achieve that, Google will be bringing Google Cast, formerly known as Chromecast built-in, to cars with the Android Automotive OS. The rollout will start with Rivian cars in the coming months, and will enable users to project videos from a phone or tablet to the car easily, widening the range of entertainment options available.
Google built-in might be rather limited in its current rollout, as only 40 car models from brands like Polestar, Volvo, Chevrolet, Honda, Nissan and others have it, but it’s also starting to expand, with the Acura ZDX, Ford Explorer and more. With built-in navigation via Google Maps, Google Assistant-based controls and more, Google is expanding the selection of mobile and tablet apps with the company’s new developer program.
Source: Google.
Entertainment apps like YouTube and games like Angry Birds are available, and games clearly are popular among Android Auto users, with Google claiming nearly a million gamers per month on GameSnacks for Android Auto.
According to Google’s Google built-in website, car manufacturers Ford, Buick, Infiniti and Mitsubishi are planning to release cars with Google built-in soon.
Cars with Google built-in will also see more differentiated experiences through apps that are highly optimized for in-car experiences such as a watching a TV channel while parked and only listening to the commentary while driving - and the switching between these modes being invoked automatically. Even the car instrument cluster integration with apps is improving as Waze and Kakaro Mobility are working on bringing supporting their mapping and navigation information directly in the car instrument cluster to better support mapping preferences by users.
Source: Google
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