Android Auto and Android Automotive are about to change with a pile of novelty

It is not a secret that Google is investing on the future of connected mobility, aiming to make the experience in the car more and more secure, useful and rich thanks to the integration of artificial intelligence and new features intended for both end users and developers.

The novelties, especially for the latter at the moment, involve Android Auto and the Android Automotive operating system, both protagonists of constant growth and today increasingly central in the panorama of the infotainment on board.

Growing numbers and new opportunities for Android Auto and Android Automotive

Let’s start with the numbers, Android Auto is now supported by the almost all of the new cars on the market, with about 250 million compatible vehicles already in circulation; Parallel, over 50 Models of Campeda Camatato Android Automotive OS with Integrated Google, with a constantly expanding app ecosystem (there are already more than 300 apps available on the Play Store). An evolution made possible also by the Car Ready Mobile Apps program, which allows adaptive mobile apps to integrate perfectly into vehicles.

Just to continue on this road Google presented a long series of novelties designed to simplify the development of apps optimized for use in the car, improve the user experience and, last but not least, make the most of the potential of artificial intelligence with the arrival of Gemini in the automotive world.

Gemini arrives by car for an even more smart guide

The most relevant novelty announced is undoubtedly the arrival of Gemini, the new generation of Google, even in vehicles; This change opens a new fluid, natural and contextual vocal interactionsmaking the experience by car more intuitive than ever.

Just to give some examples, with Gemini it will be possible Find a charging station, reply to an email or start navigation simply speaking, without the need to physically interface with the screen; All while the IA manages the context, the apps involved and multitasking in the background.

Navigation apps in particular will be able to integrate Gemini through three intent formats, so as to offer advanced features such as the reporting of traffic or accidents through voice commands.

Gemini on the cars will be available in the coming months, Google has now decided to push towards an increasingly close integration between artificial intelligence, cars and digital services.

New bees, templates, games and apps: Android Auto expands

In addition to the arrival of Gemini, Google has announced new development tools, UI templates and categories of apps compatible with Android Auto, some of which already in Beta:

• Weather app -> now outside the beta phase, they can be published directly on the Play Store (after compliance with the guidelines)
• games -> Already available on Android Auto to vehicle stopped for devices with Android 15, with titles such as Angry Birds 2, Farm Heroes Saga or Beach Buggy Racing 2
• Communication apps (VoIP and messaging) -> now in beta with simplified integration through the Jetpack Callsmanager API, which allows for advanced functions such as messages, ongoing calls, meetings list and more
• multimedia apps -> improved thanks to the Car App Library 1.8, with new models SecationiMtemplate And Mediaplaybacktemplate that allow customized layouts and richest navigation
• Video app -> arriving on Android Auto starting from Android 16, for the use per parked on some compatible cars
• Experiences only audio -> for video apps while driving, for a safer use of content

Adaptive mobile apps, games and Quick Share for Android Automotive

As for the Android Automotive system with integrated Google, the news mainly concern:

• support extended to adaptive mobile apps -> also on the move thanks to the collaboration with the producers for the next phase of the Car Ready Mobile Apps program
• Simplified distribution through Google Play -> Now it is possible to publish the same app for both cars and for smartphones in the same apk/App Bundle
• games support -> The integration of Google Play Games allows fluid access, synchronization between devices and multiplatage saves
• Quick Share -> coming for immediate sharing between telephone and cars
• Passkey and Credential Manager API -> for simpler and safer logins directly from the car
• Firebase Test Lab -> introduces real devices with Android Automotive to test apps without having to own a car
• Play console -> updated with dedicated pre-launch reports, useful for guaranteeing quality and stability before the release

Another interesting news concerns the Public availability of Android Automotive OS on Pixel Tabletwhich thus becomes a real and accessible tool to test apps without having to buy a car; The latest system images also include support for Android Auto Receiver, making it possible to test both the android car and automotive environment at the same time.

The one traced by Google is a very clear path, to bring the same wealth and versatility of the mobile world even on board cars, without sacrificing safety and ease of use; The arrival of Gemini, the opening towards new app categories and the commitment to provide increasingly advanced development tools demonstrate it in a clear way.

The developers are called to seize these opportunities to build differentiated, intelligent and increasingly engaging experiences; We users, on the other hand, can begin to foretaste a future made of intelligent cars that speak with us and understand our needs, perhaps even before expressing them.