Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
The Android Auto app ecosystem keeps growing, and the latest name to join Google's car-optimized experience is smart home solutions provider Alarm.com.
The company has just announced that its mobile application, which allows users to control their smart home and security controls from smartphones, now supports Android Auto.
The smart home app ecosystem in the Android Auto world keeps expanding after Google initially unlocked this category earlier this year. The number of apps available in this sector is still small, but smart home companies rapidly notice the opportunity of expanding their services to the larger screen in the car.
The benefits are obvious: drivers can control their smart homes from the infotainment screen without needing a mobile device.
The best way to understand why a smart home app fits Android Auto like a glove is to think of an Internet-connected garage door. With a dedicated Android Auto interface, drivers can open and close the garage door from the screen on the dashboard as they arrive home. Looking for the mobile phone, unlocking it, and launching the dedicated application is no longer required, as the Android Auto interface takes care of everything.
Alarm.com joins Google's car-optimized experience with a similar approach. The Android Auto integration supports Home and Away scenes for users' smart homes and controls to remotely open and close garage doors.
The application can also show real-time alerts from a configured smart home, including security events and arming reminders.
Drivers can configure routines that are then available right from Android Auto. One such example is a setup that allows them to open the door garage, disarm the security system, turn on the lights in certain rooms, adjust the temperature in others, and start playing music to create a relaxing environment.
Android Auto gets new applications, especially as the platform's popularity increases. Earlier this year, Tailwind, a popular smart garage door manufacturer, announced Android Auto support, bringing the mobile app to Google's car experience.
Not long ago, The Weather Channel also confirmed Android Auto support, with a new app to launch with a vehicle-optimized interface by the end of the year. WhatsApp revealed that it also plans to expand its Android Auto feature lineup with support for voice calls. The feature is projected to launch this year, but no further specifics were provided. The current WhatsApp support for Android Auto revolves around text messages, with Google Assistant capable of reading conversations and sending replies with voice commands.
Zoom and Cisco will join the Android Auto app party with new app releases later this year, allowing users to join meetings right from the infotainment display. The experience will include limitations to audio, while video support will require switching to the mobile device.
The smart home app ecosystem in the Android Auto world keeps expanding after Google initially unlocked this category earlier this year. The number of apps available in this sector is still small, but smart home companies rapidly notice the opportunity of expanding their services to the larger screen in the car.
The benefits are obvious: drivers can control their smart homes from the infotainment screen without needing a mobile device.
The best way to understand why a smart home app fits Android Auto like a glove is to think of an Internet-connected garage door. With a dedicated Android Auto interface, drivers can open and close the garage door from the screen on the dashboard as they arrive home. Looking for the mobile phone, unlocking it, and launching the dedicated application is no longer required, as the Android Auto interface takes care of everything.
Alarm.com joins Google's car-optimized experience with a similar approach. The Android Auto integration supports Home and Away scenes for users' smart homes and controls to remotely open and close garage doors.
The application can also show real-time alerts from a configured smart home, including security events and arming reminders.
Drivers can configure routines that are then available right from Android Auto. One such example is a setup that allows them to open the door garage, disarm the security system, turn on the lights in certain rooms, adjust the temperature in others, and start playing music to create a relaxing environment.
Android Auto gets new applications, especially as the platform's popularity increases. Earlier this year, Tailwind, a popular smart garage door manufacturer, announced Android Auto support, bringing the mobile app to Google's car experience.
Not long ago, The Weather Channel also confirmed Android Auto support, with a new app to launch with a vehicle-optimized interface by the end of the year. WhatsApp revealed that it also plans to expand its Android Auto feature lineup with support for voice calls. The feature is projected to launch this year, but no further specifics were provided. The current WhatsApp support for Android Auto revolves around text messages, with Google Assistant capable of reading conversations and sending replies with voice commands.
Zoom and Cisco will join the Android Auto app party with new app releases later this year, allowing users to join meetings right from the infotainment display. The experience will include limitations to audio, while video support will require switching to the mobile device.
Google News