Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Google rarely talks about new Android Auto updates, so its new versions roll out without changelogs and any information about what's new in there.
But as it turns out, the search giant has been quietly working on a big update ever since Android Auto 9.5.
The company is working on better EV integration into Android Auto, with new settings that will appear in an "EV settings" menu to let drivers configure the app for an electric car. Android Auto will also allow drivers to choose the charging connector type, presumably as Google Maps will search for nearby charging stations and offer guidance to the nearest location right on the dashboard screen.
Surprisingly, Google also wants to bring what looks like battery charge information to Android Auto, essentially allowing users to see the battery level on the screen.
It's not exactly clear how this is going to work, given Android Auto is powered by the mobile device and is not directly connected to the vehicle to import such data. The feature could eventually be supported only on select models, perhaps if drivers can connect vehicle companion apps with Android Auto if such a version exists.
Google's secret new features were first spotted in Android Auto 9.5 a couple of months ago, and they made significant progress in the most recent versions. They are also included in Android Auto 9.9, and as it turns out, some users could already try them out, presumably as a very limited test in certain regions.
Google might be using a phased rollout for the new EV features in Android Auto, so right now, only a small set of users might be allowed to try them out.
I expect Google to come up with an official announcement when the broad availability is ready, given this is a big update that the company will almost certainly want to brag about. EVs are rapidly gaining traction in the automotive world, and Google needs the world to know that Android Auto is prepared for zero-emission vehicles.
Android Auto 9.9 is already available for download, but the rollout takes place in waves through the Google Play Store. If you don't want to wait, you can download the new build manually using the stand-alone APK installer. However, note that installing Android Auto 9.9 does not guarantee that you'll get access to the new features, as Google controls the rollout with a server-side switch. As such, only the devices the company itself chooses are provided with the new features.
For now, the work on EV integration into Android Auto continues under closed doors, but given the new discovery, it's probably just a matter of time until an official announcement is made and the public rollout gains more pace.
The company is working on better EV integration into Android Auto, with new settings that will appear in an "EV settings" menu to let drivers configure the app for an electric car. Android Auto will also allow drivers to choose the charging connector type, presumably as Google Maps will search for nearby charging stations and offer guidance to the nearest location right on the dashboard screen.
Surprisingly, Google also wants to bring what looks like battery charge information to Android Auto, essentially allowing users to see the battery level on the screen.
It's not exactly clear how this is going to work, given Android Auto is powered by the mobile device and is not directly connected to the vehicle to import such data. The feature could eventually be supported only on select models, perhaps if drivers can connect vehicle companion apps with Android Auto if such a version exists.
Google's secret new features were first spotted in Android Auto 9.5 a couple of months ago, and they made significant progress in the most recent versions. They are also included in Android Auto 9.9, and as it turns out, some users could already try them out, presumably as a very limited test in certain regions.
Google might be using a phased rollout for the new EV features in Android Auto, so right now, only a small set of users might be allowed to try them out.
I expect Google to come up with an official announcement when the broad availability is ready, given this is a big update that the company will almost certainly want to brag about. EVs are rapidly gaining traction in the automotive world, and Google needs the world to know that Android Auto is prepared for zero-emission vehicles.
Android Auto 9.9 is already available for download, but the rollout takes place in waves through the Google Play Store. If you don't want to wait, you can download the new build manually using the stand-alone APK installer. However, note that installing Android Auto 9.9 does not guarantee that you'll get access to the new features, as Google controls the rollout with a server-side switch. As such, only the devices the company itself chooses are provided with the new features.
For now, the work on EV integration into Android Auto continues under closed doors, but given the new discovery, it's probably just a matter of time until an official announcement is made and the public rollout gains more pace.
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