What is Android Auto?

Android Auto is essentially a secondary Android platform designed specifically for ease of use in a car.

It can be used as a standalone app (on a phone or tablet, see below) or be integrated into the car's infotainment system (using your phone for signal). Car apps are becoming more and more common, but Google's Android Auto app is arguably one of the most comprehensive.

It's not the first foray Google has had into the automotive industry. Today (13 Dec 2016), Google announced they are finally shelving plans for their self driving car, which they began developing in 2009. However, it seems Google can still get it right when they stick to what they are best at: Software.

Put simply, Android Auto allows you to use a selection of apps and functions from your phone on the car's screen. This offers you more integrated infotainment. In some cars, you can even control the system from the steering wheel.

Google stress that it has been designed with safety in mind. For this reason, certain apps have more limited functionality (to stop them from distracting you when driving). For example, while Google Play Music will allow you to play songs, it won't allow you to scan through them to get to your favourite bit.

Also, when your phone is connected to Android Auto, the phone locks, preventing you from navigating to your regular Android home screen.

Main Features

Voice recognition is a key feature of Android Auto. It allows you to dictate destinations for navigation, write messages and say general commands to Google.

As expected, most of the apps are centered around entertainment or voice messaging. Google's own software contains incredibly advanced voice recognition, and will even read messages back before sending. After you've heard it's correct, you simply say the word, and it will send.

It also attempts to keep the apps (usually displayed as 'cards' on the screen) as relevant to driving as possible.  Typically these are navigation, weather or infotainment related. The display layout is an offshoot of Google Now, so feels familiar.

List of Android Auto Apps

We've put together a list of all the Android Auto apps currently available and their functionality. We've highlighted the ones we find most interesting in green. Familiar apps (like Spotify) have been cleverly redesigned for Android Auto, so they are ideal for in-car.

List of all Android Auto Apps	Funtion/Category
Audible (audio books)	Audio Books
Deezer Music Streaming	Music
WhatsApp messenger	Messenger
Spotify	Music
Kik	Messenger
Skype	Calls
TuneIn Radio	Radio
Text Me	Messenger
Text Plus	Messenger
Amazon Music	Music
We Chat	Messenger
Pocket Casts	Podcasts
Nextplus Free SMS	Messenger
Telegram	Messenger
Over Drive	eBooks and Audiobooks
Google Play Music	Music
Hangouts	Chat
Djay FREE - DJ Mix	Music mix app
FreeTone Free Calls	Calls
Contacts+	Phone Book app
BBC Media Player	Media
Stitcher Radio for Podcasts	Podcasts
LibriVox Audio Books	Audio Books
Talkray - Free Chats	Chat
NPR One	Stories/Podcasts
Podcast Player	Podcasts
Video Call and Chat ICQ	Calls/Chat
MLB.com	Baseball updates
Evolve SMS	Messenger
DoggCatcher Podcast	Podcasts
Threema	Secure Messenger
Radio.net	Radio
Beyond Podcasts	Podcasts
KSL News	News
Radio Paradise	Music
7Digital Music Store	Music
Jupiter Broadcasts	Radio
audioBoom	Podcasts
LibriVix Audio Books	Audio Books
IRCCloud	Messenger
Voice Infos	Integrated media app
Turkce Telegram	Messenger (Turkish)
Open Radio	Radio
Mudaas - Discover New Music	Music
TAKs Chat	Chat
Kite - Cloud Music Player	Music
Radio Sound	Radio
OnChatt	Chat
Safe text	Messenger
NEK Chat	Chat

List of cars supporting Android Auto

Manufacturer	Model Series	Features
Abarth	595	Carplay - Android Auto
Audi	A4	Audi Entertainment Mobile
Audi	A6	Audi Smartphone Interface
Audi	A7	Audi Smartphone Interface
Audi	Q7	Audi Entertainment Mobile
Audi	Q7	Smartphone Interface
Audi	Q7	SmartPhone Interface
Audi	R8	Audi Smartphone Interface
BMW	3 Series	BMW Online Services
BMW	3 Series	Remote Services
BMW	4 Series	BMW Online Services
BMW	4 Series	Remote Services
BMW	5 Series	BMW Online Services
BMW	5 Series	Remote Services
BMW	6 Series	BMW Online Services
BMW	6 Series	Remote Services
BMW	7 Series	Rear Seat Comfort Package
BMW	7 Series	Rear-Seat Entertainment Experience with BMW Touch Command
BMW	7 Series	Remote Services
BMW	i3	BMW Emergency Call
BMW	i3	BMW Online Services
BMW	i3	Remote Services
BMW	i8	BMW Online Services
BMW	i8	Remote Services
BMW	X3	BMW Online Services
BMW	X4	BMW Online Services
BMW	X5	Remote Services
BMW	X6	Remote Services
BMW	Z4	ConnectedDrive Services Package
Citroen	C4 Picasso	Citroen Connect Nav with Citroen Connect Box
Fiat	500	7in HD Touchscreen Radio with 3D Navigation - Bluetooth - USB-Aux-in and DAB
Ford	Fiesta	Ford DAB with Ford SYNC
Ford	Fiesta	Ford Navigation System with DAB and Ford SYNC
Ford	Fiesta	Ford SYNC
Ford	Fiesta	Sony CD Radio with DAB and Ford Sync
Ford	Fiesta	Sony Navigation System - DAB and Ford SYNC
Ford	Fiesta	Sony Navigation System - DAB and Ford SYNC
Ford	Mustang	Apple Carplay and Android Auto Compatibility
Maserati	Ghibli	MTC Plus - Maserati Touch Control Plus
Maserati	Levante	MTC Plus - Maserati Touch Control Plus
Maserati	Quattroporte	MTC Plus - Maserati Touch Control Plus
Mercedes-Benz	A Class	Smartphone Integration
Mercedes-Benz	B Class	Smartphone Integration
Mercedes-Benz	CLA Class	Smartphone Integration
Mercedes-Benz	CLS Class	Smartphone Integration
Mercedes-Benz	E Class	COMAND Online System
Mercedes-Benz	E Class	COMAND Online System with Media Interface and Touchpad
Mercedes-Benz	E Class	Smartphone Integration
Mercedes-Benz	E Class	Smartphone Integration
Mercedes-Benz	E Class	Smartphone Integration
Mercedes-Benz	G Class	Smartphone Integration
Mercedes-Benz	GLA Class	Smartphone Integration
Mercedes-Benz	GLE Class	Smartphone Integration
Mercedes-Benz	GLS Class	Smartphone Integration
Mercedes-Benz	SLC Class	Smartphone Integration
MINI	Clubman	Media Pack XL
MINI	Clubman	MINI Connected
MINI	Clubman	MINI Tech Pack
MINI	Clubman	Visual Boost Radio
MINI	Convertible	Media Pack XL
MINI	Convertible	Media Pack XL
MINI	Convertible	Media Pack XL
MINI	Convertible	MINI Connected
MINI	Convertible	Visual Boost Radio
MINI	Convertible	Visual Boost Radio
MINI	Countryman	MINI Connected
MINI	Hatch	Media Pack XL
MINI	Hatch	MINI Connected
MINI	Hatch	Visual Boost Radio
Mitsubishi	Outlander	Navigation System with Smartphone Link
Peugeot	3008	Mirrorscreen
Porsche	Cayenne	Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment
Porsche	Cayenne	Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment Plus
Porsche	Macan	Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment
Porsche	Macan	Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment Plus
Porsche	Panamera	Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment
SEAT	Alhambra	Full Link
SEAT	Ateca	Full Link
SEAT	Ibiza	Full Link
SEAT	Ibiza	Full Link
SEAT	Ibiza	Full Link - Ibiza
SEAT	Ibiza	Technology Pack
SEAT	Ibiza	Technology Pack
SEAT	Ibiza	Technology Pack
SEAT	Leon	Full Link
SEAT	Leon	Full Link
SEAT	Leon	Full Link
SEAT	Leon	Navigation System High
SEAT	Leon	Navigation System High
SEAT	Leon	Navigation System High
SEAT	Toledo	Full Link
SEAT	Toledo	Full Link
Skoda	Fabia	Bolero Radio
Skoda	Fabia	SmartLink
Skoda	Octavia	SmartLink
Skoda	Superb	Columbus Touchscreen Satellite Navigation System
Skoda	Yeti	SmartLink
Smart	ForFour	Premium Equipment Line
Smart	ForFour	Premium Plus Equipment Line
Smart	ForTwo	Premium Equipment Line
Smart	ForTwo	Premium Equipment Line - Brabus
Smart	ForTwo	Premium Plus Equipment Line
Smart	ForTwo	Premium Plus Equipment Line - Brabus
Vauxhall	Adam	R 4.0 IntelliLink System
Vauxhall	Adam	R4.0 IntelliLink Touch-Screen Infotainment System
Vauxhall	Adam	Technical Pack
Vauxhall	Astra	Navi 900 IntelliLink Touchscreen Navigation and Infotainment System
Vauxhall	Astra	R4.0 IntelliLink Touch-Screen Infotainment System
Vauxhall	Astra	Smartphone Holder
Vauxhall	Corsa	R4.0 IntelliLink Touch-Screen Infotainment System
Vauxhall	Corsa	R4.0 IntelliLink Touch-Screen Infotainment System - MY17
Vauxhall	Corsa	R4.0 IntelliLink Touch-Screen Infotainment System - VXR
Vauxhall	Mokka X	R4.0 IntelliLink Touch-Screen Infotainment System
Vauxhall	Mokka X	Satellite Navigation - Navi 900 IntelliLink
Vauxhall	VIVA	R4.0 IntelliLink Touch-Screen Infotainment System
Vauxhall	VIVA	R4.0 IntelliLink Touch-Screen Infotainment System
Vauxhall	VIVA	R4.0 IntelliLink Touch-Screen Infotainment System - SE
Vauxhall	Zafira	R4.0 IntelliLink Touch-Screen Infotainment System
Volkswagen	Beetle	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Beetle	Composition Media System
Volkswagen	CC	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	CC	Discover Navigation System
Volkswagen	Golf	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Golf	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Golf	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Golf	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Golf	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Golf	Composition Media System
Volkswagen	Golf	Composition Media System - GTI Clubsport
Volkswagen	Golf	Discover Navigation Pro Touch-Screen Navigation DVD Radio System
Volkswagen	Golf	Discover Navigation Pro Touch-Screen Navigation DVD Radio System
Volkswagen	Golf	Discover Navigation Pro Touch-Screen Navigation DVD Radio System
Volkswagen	Golf	Discover Navigation Pro Touch-Screen Navigation DVD Radio System with Integrated Voice Activation - Car-Net Guide and Inform Plus and App-Connect
Volkswagen	Golf	Tech Pack
Volkswagen	Golf	Tech Pack
Volkswagen	Golf	Tech Pack
Volkswagen	Golf	Tech Pack
Volkswagen	Golf SV	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Golf SV	Composition Media System
Volkswagen	Golf SV	Discover Navigation Pro Touch-Screen Navigation DVD Radio System with Integrated Voice Activation - Car-Net Guide and Inform Plus and App-Connect
Volkswagen	Golf SV	Discover Navigation Pro Touch-Screen Navigation DVD Radio System with Integrated Voice Activation - Car-Net Guide and Inform Plus and App-Connect
Volkswagen	Jetta	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Jetta	Composition Media System
Volkswagen	Passat	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Passat	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Passat	Composition Media System
Volkswagen	Passat	Discover Navigation Pro Touch-Screen Navigation DVD Radio System
Volkswagen	Passat	Discover Navigation Pro Touch-Screen Navigation DVD Radio System with Integrated Voice Activation - Car-Net Guide and Inform Plus and App-Connect
Volkswagen	Polo	App Connect
Volkswagen	Polo	App Connect
Volkswagen	Polo	Car-net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Polo	Composition Media System
Volkswagen	Scirocco	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Scirocco	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Scirocco	Composition Media System
Volkswagen	Sharan	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Sharan	Composition Media System
Volkswagen	Sharan	Composition Media System
Volkswagen	Tiguan	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Tiguan	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Touran	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Touran	Car-Net App-Connect
Volkswagen	Touran	Composition Media System
Volkswagen	Touran	Discover Navigation Pro Touch-Screen Navigation DVD Radio System
Volkswagen	Touran	Discover Navigation Pro Touch-Screen Navigation DVD Radio System with Integrated Voice Activation - Car-Net Guide and Inform Plus and App-Connect
Volkswagen	up!	Hands Free Navigation and Music Over The Car Speaker System
Volkswagen	up!	Smartphone Navigation Interface
Volkswagen	up!	Smartphone Navigation Interface - Beats UP

Android Auto Standalone

A fairly recent feature is the Android Auto Standalone. It's a version of Android Auto that works without needing a compatible car. Visually, it is much the same as how Android Auto would look if you had it on the in-car screen. It simply opens on your tablet/phone instead, optimizing your phone's operation for the car in the same way as the connected app.

All in all . . .

Android Auto is a great integration of technology that is well thought out, and available in many vehicles sold by AutoeBid. We can help with advise on which vehicles integrate Android Auto.