Android Auto directly on your phone screen
by Volker Weber
We launched Android Auto two years ago with the goal to better integrate phones and cars, and give drivers an easier way to access the information they need. There are now over 200 new car models supporting Android Auto offered from more than 50 brands, and many more launching every day.
But we know there are millions of older cars on the road that are not compatible with Android Auto, and many don't have a screen at all. We wanted to bring the same connected experience to these drivers too.
This is great news. Some auto manufacturers make you buy their most expensive entertainment system before you can connect your Android phone. Which then provides more smarts than what you just bought. Google Maps is incredibly accurate with traffic information in this country for instance. They have enough probes on the road.
All you need is a car mount and a power wire and you are good to go.
Comments
I want this. It's not in the App Store, though.
Let me help you read this: "The latest version (2.0) with the phone screen experience will be rolling out in the coming days to more than 30 countries where Android Auto is currently available."
In the coming days ...
I was able to download it in the Germany Google Play store. Search for 'Android Auto' by Google Inc.
Google Maps hat in der Tat die besten Verkehrsinformationen. An den Verkehrsknoten z.B. um Köln und Düsseldorf sind die Verkhrsdichteanzeigen und Streckenempfehlungen wirklich nahe an der aktuellen Situation.
Ich habe das abgebildete Einbaugerät. Ein Nachteil ist, dass die internen Karten- und Medienfunktionen nicht mehr gehen bei aktiver Android oder Car Play Verbindung. Die Android Auto Verbindung über Connect friert gelegentlich ein - dann ist Blindflug bis zum Reboot (nicht des Handys). Außerdem ist eine Kabelverbindung erforderlich. Das macht Sinn zur Vermeidung von Problemen und erhält die Akkuladung, ist auf kurzen Strecken aber nicht so komfortabel wie Bluetooth.
Android Auto auf dem Handydisplay ist also nicht unbedingt die schlechtere Variante.
Seems to be available in the UK store as well now, unfortunately can't test it just now as I can't drive a car for another few weeks.
I remember they had something vaguely similar a few years back, which was then stopped and removed from the store. I was hoping they'd bring something like it back, looks like my wishes have been fulfilled.
