Comparison Of All Google's Driving Techs and Apps Released In I/O 2019

Google’s 2019 I/O keynote was pretty exciting. Besides releasing new hardware, the company also made announcements about their idea of putting Google into your car. Though for most people, the idea of software helping daily commune a little bit safer is welcomed, it is difficult for them to differentiate between the four relatively similar techs and driving modes featured in the keynote. To add to the confusion, all of them are also similarly named.

So if you’re confused and interested, here is a side by side comparison of the Android Auto, Android Auto app, Android Automotive OS, and lastly, Google Assistant Driving Mode.

Android Auto

If you’re familiar with Apple CarPlay or Mirror Link, Android Auto is Google’s spin on them. Essentially, Android Auto is Google’s app projecting and inter-connectivity solution for cars. Once you pair your compatible car with a similarly compatible phone, Android Auto will change the standard interface of your car’s dashboard from the boring OEM skin and overlay the Android Auto’s interface on it.

It will also come with Google’s driving interface notifications. Along with other useful features such as hand-free dialling through voice command, the app will allow you to open your preferred audio streaming app like Spotify. And most important of all, a navigation app that might be far better than what you have on your car like Google Maps or Waze.

Productivity wise, Android Auto will also show you the events and appointments you had written down on your virtual calendar as well as showing you some navigational recommendations such as a good restaurant in the area.

Of course, Google’s voice search and its Assistant will aid you in using the app without ever having to look away from the road ahead. Not surprisingly, the system requires you to log into your Google’s account.

Android Auto is set for a ‘major redesign’ sometime this summer. Reports say that the updated version of the tech will make multitasking easier and further reduce distraction.

How to Install

Like what we have written above, Android Auto requires compatible devices and cars to work. So before even thinking about getting the app, you should get to know your car first and learn whether it is compatible or not. If it does, pull the app down onto your device, hook it up with the car through a USB line, and you’re finished.

Newer vehicles may even allow you to wirelessly connect your device with the car through Wi-Fi. If you have an old car and still want to add smart tech into it, there are some models of multimedia receivers you can replace your dashboard with to add compatibility.

Android Auto App Mode

Immediately after their introduction of Android Auto, the company continued by introducing Android Auto App Mode. Technically, it is Android Auto without projecting the app interface onto your car’s dashboard. The interface is simple, low in distraction, and it is run on the user’s smartphone than being projected to the car.

Android Auto App mode features all of the things that are available on the standard Android Auto, since they are more or less the same thing, from voice commands, audio streaming, to Google Maps navigation, etc. 

How to Install

It is available on Google Play Store right now if you have an Android device. Just download it, buy a mount, anchor your device and start driving straightaway.

Though don’t get used to it, since it is only a temporary solution. It will be phased out of service when Google Assistant Driving Mode is released later this year.

Google Assistant Driving Mode

Driving Mode interface is the new thing that was added to Google Assistant this year. Assistant Driving Mode, just like Android Auto, will switch up the default dashboard with a redesigned one to offer your navigational recommendations, let you see the content of your calendar, your contacts, and give you access to your streaming app, all in a simplified interface.

For the most part, Assistant Driving Mode is voice navigated. So before you use it, fully expect that vocal exercise with spoken prompts and commands will play a very large role in your communal life with the app. Google Maps will be magnified to full screen once you had activated it. And at the bottom menu, you can access audio controls, notifications and more.

How to Install

Unfortunately, Assistant Driving Mode is not yet released until later this year. But on the bright side, once it is released, activating it is simply calling up Google Assistant by saying: “Hey Google, let’s drive”. Most Android phones are expected to be fully supported, and for those who are using iOS, there are some rumors that it could also run on Apple’s platform as well.

Android Automotive OS

The third car-related tech introduced during the keynote was Android Automotive OS. It is a custom-built flavour of Android built by Google to work in vehicles. In comparison to Android Auto, which is installed on the user’s device and merely projected onto the dashboard, Android Automotive OS is installed straight into the car. It powers everything from smartphone-like functions such as from notifications and navigation to climate control and vehicle settings.

How to Install

Unfortunately, this is the most expensive to ‘get’ out of all. It is not something you can download, instead, you will have to buy an entirely new car that is pre-installed with Android Automotive OS. And even more unfortunate, at the moment there are no cars on the market the come with it. Though we do know that the upcoming 2021 Polestar 2 will feature Android Automotive OS when it is expected to debut in 2020. Aside from a full suite of all Google Services, it will also have the Google Play Store on the dashboard even though what you can actually buy and install on the Play Store is not known.

The Volvo XC40 is also said to feature the OS and will find its way to the market on roughly the same time as the 2021 Polestar 2.

As car-specific OS-es like Android Automotive OS becomes more and more popular, other automakers will surely follow the footstep to modify and put their own spins of automotive OS on their cars. So the future is especially bright for those who are interested in a completely connected life.