![]() ![]() In 2020, Google opened its Cars App Library for developers and OEMs to use so they could design, develop and test apps made for navigation, parking or charging that are compatible with two different, but sometimes overlapping platforms: Android OS and Android Auto. That means drivers will now be able to receive that information in their in-car display without having to use their mobile phone. On Wednesday, Waze announced plans to include users who drive with Waze in-car on Android Auto, Google built-in or Apple CarPlay. And because it’s Waze, the community of volunteers ensures that users have all the facts before driving over, like whether the charge points actually work or if it’s the right plug type. In March, Waze launched the ability for users to find a charge point nearby via the mobile app. Rather than folding Waze’s technology into Maps, Google has maintained the separate product, even when Google combined Waze and Maps teams last December amid pressure to cut costs. Google bought Waze, the popular navigation app, back in 2013. ![]() Over the next few months, cars will start seeing smart suggestions for messaging, according to the company. This feature will only allow users to join via audio - for now.Ĭars with Google built-in will also soon have more integration with Google Assistant. That means that soon, users will be able to join a call directly from their car’s display. Get more doneĪndroid Auto is working with Cisco, Microsoft Teams and Zoom to enable conferencing. ![]() GameSnacks is already available on Android Auto and nearly a million gamers per month are using it, the company said. Speaking of things to do while waiting for an EV to charge or parked curbside, now folks who own cars with Google built-in will also be able to play games from GameSnacks, a collection of bite-sized games like Solitaire, Beach Buggy Racing and My Talking Tom Friends from publishers like Vector Unit, FRVR and Outfit7 Limited. You might also recall that Mercedes struck a deal earlier this year with Google to bring YouTube and other apps to future vehicles. ![]() OEMs just need to go through their respective software update processes to bring it to their cars, according to the company. Google says more car brands that have Google built-in will soon follow. In the coming weeks, Polestar vehicles will begin to display YouTube as an option for download and streaming on the car’s Google Play Store. YouTube joins a list of other available video-streaming apps like Tubi and Epix Now. Google announced Wednesday it will make YouTube available to all vehicles with Google-built in, starting with Polestar. Here’s a roundup up what’s coming: More ways to stream and game This means that even more cars will be integrated directly with Google apps and services like Assistant, Maps and Play. (Google did not share how many vehicles have Google built-in today). Google also said it expects the number of cars with Google built-in to double by the end of this year, including in brands like Chevrolet, Renault, Volvo, Polestar and Honda. Google has become so commonplace in vehicles that Android Auto is expected to be available in around 200 million vehicles by the end of the year, the company said at its annual developers event. Google’s aim is to power the whole connected car experience. But instead of running smartphones and tablets, Google modified it so automakers could use it in their cars. Android Automotive OS is modeled after its open-source mobile operating system that runs on Linux. The company has been making inroads into automotive via two paths: Android Auto, an app that runs on the user’s phone and wirelessly communicates with and projects navigation, parking, media and messaging to the vehicle’s infotainment system, and Google built-in, which is powered by its Android Automotive operating system and integrates Google services directly into the vehicle. Google introduced Wednesday at its Google I/O 2023 event a number of new features and services designed for cars, including video conferencing, gaming and YouTube, as the tech company continues its drive further into the automotive world. ![]()
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