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Correct. I see maps in the main MMI display, and get voice too. I don’t see the mini map in the instrument cluster (between the power level and the speedometer behind the steering wheel) - that only works with the inbuilt Audi nav. I think that’d be the same with any car that has wireless carplay.
- Overview
- What is Android Auto?
- What does Android Auto look like?
- Which apps work with Android Auto?
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By Alistair Charlton
published 20 July 2018
We test drive Android Auto and go in-depth
Page 1 of 3:
Introduction and apps
Android Auto casts a Google Now-like interface onto your car's infotainment display via USB. It's not the same as mirroring your phone onto the car display using HDMI, as the vehicle's touchscreen, steering wheel controls, buttons and control knobs remain functional when using Android Auto.
But this doesn’t mean your entire phone interface appears on the car’s dashboard screen, because that would still be distracting and unsafe. Instead, Android Auto is more like a simplified version of Google Now, with the ability to make calls, play music stored on your phone, send dictated messages to contacts, and of course use Google Maps.
Calls and messages will come through (although the latter are read out by Google Assistant instead of appearing on-screen), but all other notifications are completely hidden away in the background. You won’t even hear the ping of a new WhatsApp message until you disconnect your phone.
Audio is sent to the car’s speakers via USB for music with no reduction in sound quality, unlike with Bluetooth audio streaming. Phone calls are handled via Bluetooth hands-free.
Although your phone‘s processor is used to run Android Auto, your phone’s screen remains blank while the system is running to prevent distractions. Meanwhile, your car’s dashboard screen is completely taken over by the Android Auto interface.
Once you get used to Android Auto, there’s no real need to go back to your car’s system. If you have to, in some models (like those from VW) a short press of the voice command button makes the car listen, while a long press summons Google Assistant.
Android Auto has a permanent menu bar at the foot of the screen for quickly returning to the maps, phone or music app. There is also a button for accessing car information and diagnostics, but this is not supported by all manufacturers.
The UI shares a lot with Google Now. It has that same card-based menu that's part of Google's unified design language, and it's laid out on a home screen with all of the predictions you'd expect.
Without even having to think about it, Android Auto suggests directions on where you might want to go. This is based on recent searches or your daily routine.
The weather, missed call or text alerts and in-progress music also appear within this very glanceable menu - it looks a lot like the Android lock screen with embedded notifications.
The answer here is, not many. But that’s exactly the point. You don’t really need to know about that new Instagram message or Facebook event reminder until you get to your destination anyway, so it can’t be seen, heard or interacted with.
Instead, you can use maps, make calls, send messages and listen to music, plus interact with a small number of third-party map and message applications.
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Current page: Introduction and apps
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Feature availability or functionality may depend on your car manufacturer or region and data plan. For easy and reliable navigation, use the Google Maps app in your car. Maps will guide you...
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