Google is getting rid of Android Auto’s smartphone UI — here’s why

The new Android Auto began rolling out in the present day (and it is fairly good), however sadly, all of its varied enhancements are solely coming to in-car shows. The model of Android Auto you may run in your cellphone’s display screen standalone will not be getting the identical face carry — and as a matter of truth, it is finally going away fully (although we’re unsure precisely when). Here’s what’s occurring.

Why is Google phasing out Android Auto’s smartphone mode?

The quick reply is that Google needs to get rid of the necessity for a discrete driving mode app in your cellphone. The lengthy reply is, effectively, longer.

The Google Assistant — the one you have already got put in — will probably be taking up for Android Auto as your phone-display driving companion, with an all new interface in addition. Android Auto is more and more specialised for in-car dashboard shows, that are historically horizontally oriented, considerably bigger than your cellphone, and glued within the heart of your automotive’s sprint.

 
Android Auto’s cellphone interface is, to place it charitably, a bit clunky.

Your cellphone, then again, could be mounted in any quantity of places, and is normally fastened vertically to maximise navigation visibility. The new Assistant-based interface is tailor-made to work higher on a phone-format show. Bonus: it would not require any further software program. Once it is out there (extra on that quickly) in case you’ve bought the most recent model of the Google app, you are good to go.

What is the Assistant driving mode? What options does it add?

The official title of this new interface is “Google Assistant driving mode.” You’ll be capable to flip it on by saying “let’s drive” to the Assistant (that phrase presently opens Google Maps to Driving Mode or simply does a search, relying on what state your cellphone is in). It additionally stands to purpose that, like Auto, you can configure it launch mechanically when your cellphone connects to your automotive by Bluetooth, however we’ve not heard something official to that finish simply but.

Much higher.

You’ll see giant icons representing widespread actions folks take whereas driving — navigation, cellphone, and media management — adopted by a variety of particular issues Google thinks you may need to do, like resuming taking part in media you’d began elsewhere, returning a missed name, or navigating to an appointment. If you get a name, the Assistant will ask aloud whether or not you’d wish to reply, and you’ll verbally reply sure or no to take motion.

You can see it working right here:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFTEEZyxw0E?feature=oembed&w=668&h=376]

It’s all just like what Android Auto’s cellphone interface does now, simply in a prettier, easier-to-use bundle with a bit extra predictive Google Assistant magic and with out the necessity for a separate app.

When does Assistant Driving Mode launch?

We’re not precisely positive. In May, Google mentioned driving mode could be out there on Android telephones this summer season, however the newest phrase is simply “in the future.” It’s half of the “next-generation” Assistant introduced at I/O this yr. Parts of that new expertise, like simpler verbal management of…

https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/07/30/android-auto-app-going-away-assistant-driving-mode/

Leave a Reply