You only need your phone to run Android Auto
Android Auto’s and Apple’s CarPlay biggest limitation has been how you’ve needed a newer car with an infotainment system which supported either system. I have a 2014 Civic, and many manufacturers didn’t start to make Android Auto or Carplay a standard offer until the past year. This has limited the adoption of these systems, but also made Google’s and Apple’s efforts to make the car safer a harder task than necessary.
Luckily, Google understands not everyone is going to cough up the extra money for an Android Auto compatible infotainment system. Back at Google I/O, the company announced their Auto infotainment system would work on any Android 5.0 phone without the cars system.
“Android Auto automatically brings you useful information – like suggested destinations, upcoming appointments, and weather conditions – all organized into simple cards that appear just when they’re needed,” Google said. The new design feels a lot like how Google Now cards surface pertinent information, but all within the safe confines of an easy to read setup. Google Now voice activation isn’t supported right away, but it’ll be added in over the coming months.
tl;dr: Google’s working to make Android Auto easier to use. Making your car safer, keeping your eyes on the road, and cementing Android as an everywhere OS. We need Apple’s Carplay also to offer some on the phone support. Otherwise Android will likely have a large upper hand from now on.
Tell us in the comments below if you’ll use Android Auto’s new app in your car, or if you’re going just to abstain from using your phone altogether.