Google launched Wednesday at its Google I/O 2023 occasion quite a few new options and providers designed for vehicles, together with video conferencing, gaming and YouTube because the tech firm continues its drive additional into the automotive world.
The corporate has been making inroads into automotive by way of two paths: Android Auto, an app that runs on the person’s telephone and wirelessly communicates with and tasks navigation, parking, media and messaging to the car’s infotainment system, and Google built-in, which is powered by its Android Automotive working system and integrates Google providers instantly into the car. Android Automotive OS is modeled after its open-source cellular working system that runs on Linux. However as an alternative of working smartphones and tablets, Google modified it so automakers may use it of their vehicles.
Google’s purpose is to energy the entire linked automobile expertise. And it’s having success.
Google has develop into so commonplace in automobiles that Android Auto is predicted to be obtainable in round 200 million automobiles by the tip of the yr, the corporate stated at its annual builders occasion.
Google additionally stated it expects the variety of vehicles with Google built-in to double by the tip of this yr, together with in manufacturers like Chevrolet, Renault, Volvo, Polestar and Honda. (Google didn’t share what number of automobiles have Google built-in at this time). Which means that much more vehicles will likely be built-in instantly with Google apps and providers like Assistant, Maps and Play.
Right here’s a roundup up what’s coming:
Extra methods to stream and sport
Picture credit score: Google
Google introduced Wednesday it should make YouTube obtainable to all automobiles with Google-built in, beginning with Polestar.
YouTube joins a listing of different obtainable vide-streaming apps like Tubi and Epix Now.
Within the coming weeks, Polestar automobiles will start to show YouTube as an choice for obtain and streaming on the automobile’s Google Play Retailer. Google says extra automobile manufacturers which have Google built-in will quickly comply with. OEMs simply must undergo their respective software program replace processes to convey it to their vehicles, in accordance with the corporate.
You may also recall that Mercedes struck a deal earlier this yr with Google to convey YouTube and different apps to future automobiles.
Talking of issues to do whereas ready for an EV to cost or parked curbside, now of us who personal vehicles with Google built-in will even have the ability to play video games from GameSnacks, a group of bite-sized video games like Solitaire, Seaside Buggy Racing and My Speaking Tom Mates from publishers like Vector Unit, FRVR and Outfit7 Restricted.
GameSnacks is already obtainable on Android Auto and practically 1,000,000 avid gamers per thirty days are utilizing it, the corporate stated.
Get extra performed
Android Auto is working with Cisco, Microsoft Groups and Zoom to allow conferencing. That signifies that quickly, customers will have the ability to be part of a name instantly from their automobile’s show. This characteristic will solely enable customers to affix by way of audio — for now.
Automobiles with Google built-in will even quickly have extra integration with Google Assistant. Over the following few months, vehicles will begin seeing good options for messaging, in accordance with the corporate.
Leaning into crowdsourced navigation
Google purchased Waze, the favored navigation app, again in 2013. Reasonably than folding Waze’s expertise into Maps, Google has maintained the separate product, even when Google mixed Waze and Maps groups final December amid stress to chop prices.
In March, Waze launched the flexibility for customers to discover a cost level close by by way of the cellular app. And since it’s Waze, the group of volunteers ensures that customers have all of the details earlier than driving over, like whether or not the cost factors really work or if it’s the proper plug kind.
On Wednesday, Waze introduced plans to embrace customers who drive with Waze in-car on Android Auto, Google built-in or Apple CarPlay. Meaning drivers will now have the ability to obtain that data of their in-car show with out having to make use of their cell phone.
Including onto Android for Automobiles App Library
In 2020, Google opened its Automobiles App Library for builders and OEMs to make use of so they may design, develop and check apps made for navigation, parking or charging which might be suitable with two totally different, however generally overlapping platforms: Android OS and Android Auto. It additionally means builders can create one app that ought to work seamlessly between numerous makes and fashions of automobiles. The library has templates that builders can faucet so that they guarantee their apps meet driver distraction requirements.
Android for Automobiles App Library, which is on the market as a part of Jetpack, was created to help the Android Automotive working system which is powered by Android Automotive OS. Many third-party builders like Spotify have used the Android for Automobiles App Library to create and publish their Android Auto apps to the Play Retailer. When Google took the step in 2020 to increase Automobiles App to the working system, it meant builders solely wanted to construct as soon as.
At Google I/O day, Google expanded the kinds of apps builders can convey to vehicles with Android Auto to incorporate web of issues (IoT) and climate apps. All builders can entry the IoT class, however climate remains to be in an early entry program. As a part of this, the Climate Channel app will likely be obtainable later this yr.
Moreover, builders involved in constructing apps for passenger and parked experiences can now convey video, sport and browser apps which might be normally obtainable on tablets over to vehicles to be distributed instantly by way of Play. And since Google Voice Assistant is inbuilt, builders may have the choice of including Assistant integrations into their apps to facilitate extra hands-free interactions.
