Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
Google Maps is getting another useful feature on Android Automotive, this time as part of what looks to be an increasing effort to bring all devices running Google software in sync.
The Mountain View-based search giant announced at CES that Google Maps users can now send planned routes to Android Automotive with a dedicated button in the navigation app.
When you configure a route on your mobile device and set up the directions, you will see a new button called "Send to car." Tapping it automatically sends the configured route to your Android Automotive vehicle, where you are logged in with the same Google account. When you start the engine and are ready to begin navigation, Google Maps should automatically load the sent route and display a small tag at the top of the screen to let you know that the directions have been "sent from phone."
The process is as straightforward as possible and will likely work instantly regardless of your mobile device. If you think you've seen a similar feature somewhere else, you're not wrong, as Google has been offering these capabilities on the desktop for several years.
Users can configure routes on Google Maps on the web and then send them to their mobile devices with a dedicated option. The only requirement is the Google account, as users must be logged in with the same credentials on both devices.
Google says the new Google Maps feature is already available for the first users, landing in Google Maps on Android and iOS. Make sure you update Google Maps to the latest version before trying to send a route to your Android Automotive car.
Meanwhile, Google's efforts to create more consistency between its devices also expands to Android Auto, where the search giant will allow users to enable the same wallpaper and icon design from their mobile phones. The data will automatically roam between devices and land on Android Auto, making the switch from the smartphone to the car more seamless.
The Android Auto home screen will look similar to the one on the phone, except for the missing apps (as not all applications support the in-car experience). The wallpaper will be automatically transferred based on the phone background, while the icon design will use the stock theme available on your mobile device – if you use a Samsung phone, you'll see the rounded icons on Android Auto, with Google likely to add support for other brands in the coming months.
The search giant didn't officially announce these changes, but they already started showing up for the first users, likely as part of limited experiments.
Android Automotive is also projected to expand to more cars, with Google teasing partnerships with Nissan, Ford, Lincoln, and Porsche (who has already confirmed the adoption of Google's OS).
When you configure a route on your mobile device and set up the directions, you will see a new button called "Send to car." Tapping it automatically sends the configured route to your Android Automotive vehicle, where you are logged in with the same Google account. When you start the engine and are ready to begin navigation, Google Maps should automatically load the sent route and display a small tag at the top of the screen to let you know that the directions have been "sent from phone."
The process is as straightforward as possible and will likely work instantly regardless of your mobile device. If you think you've seen a similar feature somewhere else, you're not wrong, as Google has been offering these capabilities on the desktop for several years.
Users can configure routes on Google Maps on the web and then send them to their mobile devices with a dedicated option. The only requirement is the Google account, as users must be logged in with the same credentials on both devices.
Google says the new Google Maps feature is already available for the first users, landing in Google Maps on Android and iOS. Make sure you update Google Maps to the latest version before trying to send a route to your Android Automotive car.
Meanwhile, Google's efforts to create more consistency between its devices also expands to Android Auto, where the search giant will allow users to enable the same wallpaper and icon design from their mobile phones. The data will automatically roam between devices and land on Android Auto, making the switch from the smartphone to the car more seamless.
The Android Auto home screen will look similar to the one on the phone, except for the missing apps (as not all applications support the in-car experience). The wallpaper will be automatically transferred based on the phone background, while the icon design will use the stock theme available on your mobile device – if you use a Samsung phone, you'll see the rounded icons on Android Auto, with Google likely to add support for other brands in the coming months.
The search giant didn't officially announce these changes, but they already started showing up for the first users, likely as part of limited experiments.
Android Automotive is also projected to expand to more cars, with Google teasing partnerships with Nissan, Ford, Lincoln, and Porsche (who has already confirmed the adoption of Google's OS).
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