Imagine a morning trip to work without the car’s navigation system guiding you through the traffic. Then what if there’s no ability to turn on your favorite music on the way home? Sounds weird, isn’t it?
Cars are not just the means of transport anymore. They have evolved into smart, connected machines that offer a wide range of facilities apart from the main function — commuting.
In this age of technological advancements, Android has broken into the automotive industry with two platforms: Android Auto and Android Automotive.
Though their names may sound similar, these two systems serve different purposes and have their special features lembergsolutions.com.
So, let’s dive into what Android Auto vs. Android Automotive app development means, discuss what Google Automotive Services stands for, and give predictions on the future of Android Auto and Android Automotive. Stay tuned!
What Is Android Auto?
Simply put, Android Auto is a software platform that allows you to connect a smartphone to the car’s infotainment system.
In 2015 Google introduced Android Auto, a feature that mirrors a smartphone’s screen on a vehicle’s display.
The good news is that the interface was designed specifically for use while driving, so the drivers can concentrate on the road instead of physically interacting with the phone. With Android Auto, you can:
- Use voice commands to make calls, send messages, navigate through the apps, and listen to favorite music.
- Check notifications. No more missed calls or birthday parties. Android Auto will display the message content on the car’s screen.
- Navigate through the media files. Android Auto allows you to browse artists and albums with the help of car control or voice commanding.
- Use car navigation easily. Enjoy a smooth experience of getting real-time traffic updates and turn-by-turn directions displayed on your car’s screen. What’s more, the navigation is accompanied by voice guidance.
Any smartphone running Android 10 has the Auto feature built-in. For versions 9 and older, it’s recommended to download a separate Auto app for Android from Play Store.
What Is Android Automotive?
While Android Auto serves as a bridge between a smartphone and a car multimedia system, it’s Android Automotive that brings the car multimedia system to life.
Android Automotive is a customized version of Android OS built into the car’s hardware. It ensures seamless work of the car’s infotainment system, allowing drivers to enjoy a smooth experience of navigation, voice commanding, and hands-free app interactions.
In short, it’s the Android Automotive head unit that powers the vehicle’s infotainment system
What is Google Automotive Services?
It was not until 2007 that the software development leader Google delved into one more domain — Automotive. At that time, Android began gaining popularity as a progressive OS for powering smartphones.
Google, always at the forefront of technological advancements, recognized the potential of integrating this operating system into vehicles. This laid the first bricks to Google Automotive Services (GAS).
By and large, Google Automotive Services is a collection of applications and services that original equipment manufacturers can integrate into their car’s infotainment systems. Of course, they should obtain the license before integrating the apps.The most important apps and services include
- Google Maps & Navigation.
- Automotive Keyboard.
- Google Assistant.
- SetupWizard.
- Google Play Store.
Android Auto vs. Android Automotive: Which Is Better?
Despite sounding similar, Android Auto and Android Automotive both connect to your car, but they serve different missions.
While Android Auto is responsible for connecting the smartphone to the car’s head unit, Android Automotive functions directly on the head unit and doesn’t require a phone to operate. So, the question is: Android Auto vs Android head unit?
Regardless of serving two different purposes, these two features have their pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Android Auto Pros
- Available in most new vehicles.
- Compatible with most navigation apps.
- Certain features can be accessed through Google Assistant Driving Mode without connecting to the head unit.
Android Auto Cons
- Requires a compatible with Android Auto head unit.
- Requires an Android phone running Android 9 or a more recent version.
- Requires a mobile hotspot.
Android Automotive Pros
- Compatible with both iPhones and Android phones.
- Fully connected to the vehicle.
- Facilities control. Android Automotive OS head unit controls features like multimedia, air conditioning, seat adjustments, and lighting preferences, among many others.
Android Automotive Cons
- Limited availability of vehicles with Android Auto.
- Supports a limited number of Android apps.
- Limited to Google Maps for navigation.
What Is the Future of Android Auto and Android Automotive?
Never slowing down, technological giants like Google consistently burst with new ideas to make the lives of people easier. A lot of new features are looming on the horizon and will be ready for use the following year.
- For instance, Google is partnering with Microsoft Teams, Webex by Cisco, and Zoom to make joining online meetings through car audio from the display possible. This feature is sure to improve people’s comfort and productivity while on the go.
- Moreover, new prospects for the entertainment system are yet to come. A good example is the integration of YouTube into the multimedia system. Car manufacturers like Polestar and Volvo are already partnering with Google to have YouTube built-in into their vehicles. This innovative feature would allow drivers to watch their favorite videos while waiting for a car wash. The good news is that this feature will be rolled out via over-the-air software updates.
- Apart from that, Google Assistant will come in handy to handle communication easily. For example, when you receive a message, it will suggest a bunch of quick replies you can choose from just by tapping on the screen. Additionally, Google Assistant can share your approximate arrival time with others.
- The navigation is not lagging behind as well. Waze, a pioneer in providing real-time traffic updates on car displays, will be globally available on the Play Store.
These updates aim to revolutionize the driving experience, making it more entertaining and productive with Google’s innovative technology at the forefront.
