Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Google
Artificial intelligence is already integral to Google's long-term strategy, and now the search giant is planning to expand the use of its latest-generation tech to Android Auto, too.
The company has recently been spotted testing a new feature that will make what it describes as "busy conversations" easier while driving with Android Auto on the infotainment screen.
Google Assistant can already read your messages while driving, allowing you to keep your eyes on the road and reduce distraction. However, Google Assistant reading message after message after message in a busy conversation (such as in a group chat) can become a double-edged sword, eventually causing more distraction and turning the experience into an annoying and frustrating message-listening thing.
Google knows this isn't what drivers want to listen to while running Android Auto, so the company plans to expand the availability of a feature bundled with Google Chat to drivers. Google Assistant will soon be able to summarize a conversation on Android Auto, providing the driver only with the essential information extracted from messages submitted in a group chat.
It means Google Assistant will no longer read every message but wait for the conversation to end and create a summary to keep you up-to-date with the essential bits. You'll listen to a summary instead of every word from your contacts, with the content generated by artificial intelligence integrated into Google Assistant.
As recently discovered in a Google app APK teardown, Google admits from the first step that the summary might not always be accurate. The company acknowledges the limitations of artificial intelligence, explaining that "there could be mistakes."
The feature isn't yet available for all users, but it should start rolling out shortly, especially because it aligns with Google's push for AI in all essential products.
Google has been working on several big updates for Android Auto lately, including support for new icons and a wallpaper sync option.
Android Auto will soon support importing the stock icons from Samsung phones, replacing the default look currently available in the app. It's unclear if Android Auto will also support other stock icons from different Android OEMs, but Google's aim appears to be keeping mobile devices and the infotainment screen in sync when getting behind the wheel.
To do this, the search giant is also planning a wallpaper synchronization feature that will allow the phone's background to be transferred to the Android Auto screen when the device connects to the vehicle. With the same wallpaper and icon design, Android Auto will feel more like an extension to the mobile device, keeping the user more connected to the Android ecosystem.
These features are still in the works but could be released at some point in 2024, possibly as part of a major Android Auto overhaul.
Google Assistant can already read your messages while driving, allowing you to keep your eyes on the road and reduce distraction. However, Google Assistant reading message after message after message in a busy conversation (such as in a group chat) can become a double-edged sword, eventually causing more distraction and turning the experience into an annoying and frustrating message-listening thing.
Google knows this isn't what drivers want to listen to while running Android Auto, so the company plans to expand the availability of a feature bundled with Google Chat to drivers. Google Assistant will soon be able to summarize a conversation on Android Auto, providing the driver only with the essential information extracted from messages submitted in a group chat.
It means Google Assistant will no longer read every message but wait for the conversation to end and create a summary to keep you up-to-date with the essential bits. You'll listen to a summary instead of every word from your contacts, with the content generated by artificial intelligence integrated into Google Assistant.
As recently discovered in a Google app APK teardown, Google admits from the first step that the summary might not always be accurate. The company acknowledges the limitations of artificial intelligence, explaining that "there could be mistakes."
The feature isn't yet available for all users, but it should start rolling out shortly, especially because it aligns with Google's push for AI in all essential products.
Google has been working on several big updates for Android Auto lately, including support for new icons and a wallpaper sync option.
Android Auto will soon support importing the stock icons from Samsung phones, replacing the default look currently available in the app. It's unclear if Android Auto will also support other stock icons from different Android OEMs, but Google's aim appears to be keeping mobile devices and the infotainment screen in sync when getting behind the wheel.
To do this, the search giant is also planning a wallpaper synchronization feature that will allow the phone's background to be transferred to the Android Auto screen when the device connects to the vehicle. With the same wallpaper and icon design, Android Auto will feel more like an extension to the mobile device, keeping the user more connected to the Android ecosystem.
These features are still in the works but could be released at some point in 2024, possibly as part of a major Android Auto overhaul.
Google News