Knowing what Android Auto is & How it changes the game

The world you’re now living in cannot be imagined without the slightest intervention of technology. From the way you eat, up to the way of doing simple tasks, everything has been integrated with technology.

Without a doubt, technology does, in a sense, makes the world go round. Ironically, when technology cannot be utilized, people would react as if the world has stopped from rotating. Taking advantage of the many perks technology has to offer is Google. Innovating an app that can aim to make driving a pleasant experience.

Here is an introduction of Android Auto from  Philkotse.com. Find out its effect in the auto industry.

1. What are the purposes of Android Auto?

With the introduction of Android Auto, it seems like your dashboard married an ultimate infotainment software. There are two other players competing in this league and that is a car's own infotainment software and Apple's very own, Apple CarPlay.

Android Auto was innovated with the purpose of minimizing distractions by integrating phone features directly to your dashboard. Over the past few years, the number of car-related incidents over the use of cars has been increasing and this is because people get to be distracted with phones on their hands instead of the steering wheel.

The seemingly obvious solution to minimize such concerns is to incorporate phone features directly into your dashboard. Android Auto makes gathering information easy and automatic. In addition, this function is paired with a user-friendly interface to access it immediately without being a distraction while driving.

Android Auto was innovated with the purpose of minimizing distractions by integrating phone features directly to your dashboard

2. Android Auto features

One of the best feature Android Auto has to offer is the Google Maps-powered navigation system. This feature gives the driver step-by-step instructions and other necessary details like a real-time alternate route if it detects traffic and roadblocks along the way. At the same time, you can save common destinations like the directions to your home or office without commanding it to do so.

Furthermore, you can access its wide variety of songs and podcasts to provide you the whole infotainment package. Messages and calls can also be entertained, hands-free, with the integration of this app to your car.

Android Auto offers Google Maps-powered navigation system

With the rise of voice commands and speech-to-text recognition, you can also utilize this feature by simply saying, “Okay Google, find me the fastest route to Destination A.” In an instant, the directions will be flashed onto your dashboard and you can start driving away. You can also reply to texts, e-mails, and answer phone calls with this amazing function.

If your car is not equipped to carry on with the voice recognition technology, you can still use Android Auto with the touchscreen feature. However, the screen is, by default, locked. If you think it is safe to do so, unlock your phone with a swipe to access these features.

Android Auto works with third-party apps to make your driving experience safer and fully-integrated. Apps that work well with Android Auto Waze, Skype, Spotify, WhatsApp, and iHeartRadio. But, take note that vehicle settings cannot be modified or changed in Android Auto. In order to adjust climate controls, browse through various radio stations or change into a different driving mode, you need to exit the application first.

Android Auto works with third-party apps to make your driving experience safer and fully-integrated

3. Android auto compatibility

Now that you have an idea of what Android Auto is and what it offers, you need to know what phones are compatible with the app as well. Generally, Android-powered phones running on 5.0 (Lollipop) or even higher can be utilized for this app.

Download the app first on Google’s PlayStore and upon successfully installing it, connect your phone to your car through a USB cable. In addition, you can maximize the use of Android Auto through a Wi-Fi connection.

In terms of car compatibility, there are tons of car model that is compatible with Android Auto. However, some car manufacturers add more for the additional feature while others make car models that do not offer compatibility with Android Auto to save up some cost.

Generally, Android-powered phones running on 5.0 (Lollipop) or even higher can be utilized for this app

The line-up of supercar maker, Mercedes Benz, have cars that are mostly compatible with the app. The same with every car model, Cadillac makes. Some cars by Chevrolet, Honda, Kia, Volvo, and Volkswagen can be integrated with the use of the app. For a specific list of cars compatible with Android Auto, you can browse Android Auto's website.

Although some carmakers are open with the possibility of integrating Android Auto with their respective car models, some, like Toyota have a different opinion on it. For reasons of user privacy, security and questions as to whether it can really minimize distractions while driving, it offers a native infotainment system that functions similarly to Android Auto, which is called Telenav. For the same reasons Toyota stated, Porsche and BMW share their disdain for the integration of Android Auto.

Even if you own cars that are from said manufacturers, you can still use Android Auto as a standalone app. You can utilize it by just launching the app and placing it in on top of your dashboard or mounting it on your windshield.

4. Bottomline

There are still a lot of tips into using Android Auto and you can master it all. Since it aims to make your drive easier, learning it one by one or at least learning one trick at a time can greatly help you while utilizing Android Auto. You can research and read about these tips on the internet. Just give it a quick browse and you might find something that will be helpful to you.

Incorporating the use of Android Auto should be taken with utmost safety and convenience. Nothing can be replaced with a driver's own sense of awareness all throughout his travel. He should always be focused and aware of his surroundings. Android Auto aids in driving, but it can never substitute human instincts.

Incorporating the use of Android Auto should be taken with utmost safety and convenience

Yes, you can make your ride easier and more fun with the inclusion of Android Auto. However, if you indulge yourself with too much technology, you might compromise your own safety because you rely too much on it. However, the old ways of relying on your own instincts and making sure your hands are on the steering wheel instead of on your phone, you make sure that you are in charge of your own safety.

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