Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
As a carmaker, it's hard to find a reason not to install Android Auto in a car. Together with CarPlay, Google's application has become a must-have option in new vehicles, and many customers wouldn't even imagine buying a car that lacks such features.
Google rarely talks about Android Auto, and when it does, it typically announces new features either for the in-car experience or the supported apps.
This time, the search giant used its CES announcement to also share a number that many people have been curious about for years.
Android Auto is available in 200 million cars, though the company doesn't share further specifics to let us know how many use wired and wireless. I believe the wired version is the more common choice, mainly because it's cheaper for carmakers to install it, but wireless adoption is also on the rise.
Furthermore, anyone can now convert Android Auto wired to wireless with a dedicated adapter. Devices like AAWireless, which will soon receive a major upgrade as part of a new generation that'll also include CarPlay support, convert a wired connection into wireless by connecting to the vehicle via the USB port and to the phone with Bluetooth.
Google's numbers confirm the Android Auto world keeps growing, as the previous statistics shared nearly two years ago revealed that the app was running in 150 million vehicles. They are living proof General Motors is fighting an unstoppable trend, especially as all drivers have a phone in their pockets, and connecting it to the vehicle feels more natural than relying on a separate experience behind the wheel.
GM claims Android Auto and CarPlay come with substantial limitations that make it hard for carmakers to offer more advanced capabilities, and by switching to Android Automotive, the company can get rid of this roadblock.
Google is also working on improving Android Auto, including a feature that will allow Google Maps to access more vehicle information, including the battery range. Announced this week, the feature will debut in Ford models and allow the navigation app to offer advanced navigation for EVs, reading the battery range and suggesting charging stops when a vehicle can't arrive at a configured destination with the current charge level.
Google Maps can also estimate how long it'll take to charge the vehicle based on the specifications, eventually offering more accurate ETAs even if you have to stop along the route.
Google says Android Auto is already compatible with nearly every major car brand worldwide, and while the company doesn't mention aftermarket media receiver upgrades, they have become a very common way to get Android Auto in a car where the feature is not factory installed. Such upgrades cost anywhere from $100 to $1000K, depending on the brand, and allow drivers to get Android Auto either with a cable or wirelessly in nearly any car.
This time, the search giant used its CES announcement to also share a number that many people have been curious about for years.
Android Auto is available in 200 million cars, though the company doesn't share further specifics to let us know how many use wired and wireless. I believe the wired version is the more common choice, mainly because it's cheaper for carmakers to install it, but wireless adoption is also on the rise.
Furthermore, anyone can now convert Android Auto wired to wireless with a dedicated adapter. Devices like AAWireless, which will soon receive a major upgrade as part of a new generation that'll also include CarPlay support, convert a wired connection into wireless by connecting to the vehicle via the USB port and to the phone with Bluetooth.
Google's numbers confirm the Android Auto world keeps growing, as the previous statistics shared nearly two years ago revealed that the app was running in 150 million vehicles. They are living proof General Motors is fighting an unstoppable trend, especially as all drivers have a phone in their pockets, and connecting it to the vehicle feels more natural than relying on a separate experience behind the wheel.
GM claims Android Auto and CarPlay come with substantial limitations that make it hard for carmakers to offer more advanced capabilities, and by switching to Android Automotive, the company can get rid of this roadblock.
Google is also working on improving Android Auto, including a feature that will allow Google Maps to access more vehicle information, including the battery range. Announced this week, the feature will debut in Ford models and allow the navigation app to offer advanced navigation for EVs, reading the battery range and suggesting charging stops when a vehicle can't arrive at a configured destination with the current charge level.
Google Maps can also estimate how long it'll take to charge the vehicle based on the specifications, eventually offering more accurate ETAs even if you have to stop along the route.
Google says Android Auto is already compatible with nearly every major car brand worldwide, and while the company doesn't mention aftermarket media receiver upgrades, they have become a very common way to get Android Auto in a car where the feature is not factory installed. Such upgrades cost anywhere from $100 to $1000K, depending on the brand, and allow drivers to get Android Auto either with a cable or wirelessly in nearly any car.
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