At Google I/O there are many connected car announcements. New Android Auto future features include Waze, OK Google, use on phones without a compatible vehicle, OEM apps and connection via Wi-Fi. Android N allows automakers to create their own apps and has car function controls.
Android Auto will be able to be used on your phone screen without a car including voice-enabled calling, media, messaging and navigation with a new driver-friendly interface.
Google is previewing three upcoming Android Auto features at Google I/O— Waze integration and hotwording to activate voice by saying “OK Google”. Android Auto can project to screens in compatible cars using Wi-Fi that will become available in future car models that support Android Auto and WiFi.
Google reports carmakers are using Android Auto make their own apps, and Google is previewing two such apps from Honda and Hyundai.
Android N can used by automakers. It offers many new car featues ncluding support for AM/FM radio, HVAC, Bluetooth calling and media streaming, multi-channel audio, digital instrument clusters, and an infotainment user interface designed
Google is showing an Android in-car infotainment concept at Google I/O in a concept car based on the Maserati Ghibli and Qualcomm’s modular Snapdragon 820 Automotive platform.The concept car shows Android N running as the built-in infotainment platform on a 15” 4k main display and 720P digital cluster, with the new Android infotainment user interface and apps from Google and the Android developer ecosystem.
Qualcomm simultaneously announced a collaboration with Google to extend the Android OS to embedded automotive infotainment systems. The collaboration’s goal is to help automakers design infotainment systems using Android as a common platform. Both the Qualcomm Snapdragon Automotive 820A and 602A processors support this new platform.
The concept car functions demonstrated at Google I/O run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Automotive processor for connected cars and infotainment. The flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Automotive processor is empowering automakers with scalable solutions that are connected, smart and aware.
Google is showing the Google assitant and Allo.
The Google assistant will extend across multiple devices and many contexts. For example in the Car, Google claims “You should be able to access the assistant from behind the wheel and say ‘Let’s have curry tonight.'” When you’ve gotten out of your car, you get a notification on your watch or your phone confirming the order. Then when you step through your front door, the Google assistant should notify you that your order is 15 minutes away. It seems like Google is trying to create its own Alexa.
Then there’s Allo the smart messaging app. The Google assistant in Allo understands your world, so you can ask for things like your agenda for the day, details of your flight and hotel, or photos from your last trip. And since it understands natural language patterns, you can just chat like yourself and it’ll understand what you’re saying. For example, “Is my flight delayed?” will return information about your flight status.