'Android Auto For Phone Screens' Is Shutting Down (9to5google.com) 22
An anonymous reader quotes a report from 9to5Google: Google's ambitions in the car led to Android Auto being redesigned a couple of years ago, mostly to positive feedback. However, the version of Android Auto on phone screens was meant to shut down at the time and has been on life support ever since. Now, that version has stopped working for some users. The aptly named "Android Auto for Phone Screens" was launched in 2019 as Google was forced to delay Google Assistant Driving Mode. That feature, which finally started rolling out in 2020, continued into earlier this year, and has expanded since, was supposed to replace the experience on phone screens. At the time, Google called this app a "stopgap" for users who needed an in-car experience but lacked a vehicle compatible with Android Auto.
In speaking with Google, we are able to confirm that Android Auto for Phone Screens is, indeed, shutting down with the release of Android 12. The experience will not be available for users on Android 12, but still on older versions of the OS. Google says that Assistant Driving Mode will be "the built-in mobile driving experience" on Android 12. Google's full statement follows: "Google Assistant driving mode is our next evolution of the mobile driving experience. For the people who use Android Auto in supported vehicles, that experience isn't going away. For those who use the on phone experience (Android Auto mobile app), they will be transitioned to Google Assistant driving mode. Starting with Android 12, Google Assistant driving mode will be the built-in mobile driving experience. We have no further details to share at this time."
In speaking with Google, we are able to confirm that Android Auto for Phone Screens is, indeed, shutting down with the release of Android 12. The experience will not be available for users on Android 12, but still on older versions of the OS. Google says that Assistant Driving Mode will be "the built-in mobile driving experience" on Android 12. Google's full statement follows: "Google Assistant driving mode is our next evolution of the mobile driving experience. For the people who use Android Auto in supported vehicles, that experience isn't going away. For those who use the on phone experience (Android Auto mobile app), they will be transitioned to Google Assistant driving mode. Starting with Android 12, Google Assistant driving mode will be the built-in mobile driving experience. We have no further details to share at this time."
Meh (Score:2)
Not much of a change... full functionality is integrated into the Google Assistant for control via voice commands. It doesn't need a separate app duplicating functionality.
Good Riddance! (Score:2)
The last time I tried Android Auto, it was on a rental that had full support (as far as the manufacturer was concerned) and it consistently tried to run the phone screen version. I'd say it should've been gone 5 years ago.
Re: (Score:2)
I have found it to be glitch AF at the best of times. I'm on my second car and second phone with it and I don't even bother to plug in anymore.
Dumb.... (Score:3)
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Cars have a 15-year ish lifespan and most cars on the road don't yet have Android Auto.
Then use Google Assistant driving mode, the intended replacement, which exists and is not going away anytime soon.
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Cars have a 15-year ish lifespan and most cars on the road don't yet have Android Auto.
This has no effect on cars with Android Auto. It only affects people using the phone app without a connected car, and even then they are simply moving to an alternate interface and not killing functionality.
Please understand what is going on before posting nonsense.
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You obviously haven't used Android Auto. It's just a launcher/wrapper. There is no need for it, even on a car that doesn't have Android Auto.
You can just run Google Waze and Google Maps perfectly fine without using Android Auto.
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>"You obviously haven't used Android Auto. It's just a auncher/wrapper. There is no need for it, even on a car that doesn't have Android Auto."
Right now? Yes there certainly is! Using native apps without auto isn't the same at all. Claiming there is no current/past need for it is just insane.
>"You can just run Google Waze and Google Maps perfectly fine without using Android Auto"
For those using it on a motorcycle, bike, or unconnected car, the whole point of Android Auto is to have a UI that has
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It's been replaced already. When you start navigating by car in Google Maps it goes into a special mode that is similar to what Android Auto offers.
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>"It's been replaced already. When you start navigating by car in Google Maps it goes into a special mode that is similar to what Android Auto offers."
Nope. That is just maps. It doesn't address phone/text, or music interface or switching between them. Those also change drastically in Auto. It also offers an always-on screen option.
There is nothing inherently wrong with integrating Auto into base Android. But right now, you cannot get all the same functionality of Auto without using Auto.
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It includes that stuff. Controls for music appear at the bottom with big icons etc. Google assistant for text messages.
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>"It includes that stuff. Controls for music appear at the bottom with big icons etc. Google assistant for text messages."
Well, I haven't seen that yet. Maybe because I primarily use Auto when traveling, or that my phone is pretty ancient and maybe doesn't have such an update. It wouldn't surprise me that things are moving that way, as they clearly plan to integrate the functionality.
But Google Assistant isn't a substitute for screen UI, especially when on a motorcycle or bike (trust me, I have tried-
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I think they want you to stop using the screen UI for safety reasons. Do everything by voice.
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>"I think they want you to stop using the screen UI for safety reasons. Do everything by voice."
Probably. But there are times that doesn't work or doesn't work well.
Sorry, but "the replacement" does not cut it (Score:4, Interesting)
I have a 2015 model vehicle, which is one year older than the native Android Auto cutoff. Having the phone as the car screen was a great lifesaver, and I don't plan to dump $10K just to upgrade my entertainment system.
Well, they say "but there is a replacement"... which misses major features. I can start Android Auto without entering navigation. Yes, I know how to drive to my own home, thank you. However I would like to respond to phone calls, and set up my music with a larger UI. I *could* just navigate to home using the new assistant replacement, and again I could also dump my perfectly working vehicle. No thank, I want to continue using what works today.
This is the common feature of most tech *upgrades*. You want Windows 11, great, but just be ready to say good bye to choosing your own defaults.
Experience? It's a cellphone app (Score:3)
The experience will not be available
When did we start calling everything an 'experience'? It's preposterous.
Might be a bug (Score:2)
The new version of Maps that incorporates this driving mode is pretty good. I noticed it about a month ago, as I usually use Maps rather than Auto, and I think the new layout is good, especially if the phone is in a holder. But I'd like to know how to "activate" this mode... because I also noticed that if I swiped then say sent a text, when I swiped back half the time it was in normal maps mode.