All About Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

[Nairrk]

Android Auto preparing Gemini Live support and ‘local media’ controls alongside radio

Google appears to be working on a couple of new Android Auto features, with further support for “local media” from your car continuing to be developed alongside hints that Gemini Live may be supported in the car.

As we first reported in July, Google is working on support for controlling your car’s radio through Android Auto directly. Since then, Google has continued to work on this functionality.

Android Auto 12.7 hints at support for adding and removing “Favorite” stations through an app on Android Auto, while the latest Android Auto 12.8 beta adds information about using “Car Local Media” through Auto.

• <string name=”radio_add_favorite_label”>Add</string>
• <string name=”radio_node_favorites_display_name”>Favorites</string>
• <string name=”radio_remove_favorite_label”>Remove</string>
• <string name=”car_local_media_service_label”>Car Local Media</string>

Beyond that, these recent updates have also added icons for both the radio and local media playback, as pictured below.

None of these options have actually gone live yet, though.

Further, Google also appears to be preparing support for Gemini Live support on Android Auto. A new string directly references a codename associated with Gemini and the ability to “start conversation,” but it’s also not yet live. Some of the added assets also include the “star” used for Gemini, and Android Authority noted some further references as well.

<string name=”gearhead_assistant_action_kitt_live_query”>Start conversation</string>
“Kitt_live” has been used previously be Google in relation to Gemini Live. Long before that, Google used “kitt” regarding in-car always-listening voice functionality. Gemini Live made its debut earlier this month alongside the Pixel 9 series, and is rolling out to Android users in English with Gemini Advanced.

It’s unclear when Google intends to roll out either of these options, but with continued issues with Google Assistant on Android Auto, it’s not surprising that a Gemini upgrade is in the works.

9To5google

 

[Nairrk]

AAWireless update prepares for the Android Auto adapter sequel, improves pairing status

The second generation of the first wireless Android Auto adapter, AAWireless, is right around the corner as a new firmware update prepares for its arrival and makes some improvements to the existing model.

AAWireless announced a second version of its Android Auto adapter, AAWireless 2, earlier this year. The new device has updated hardware and a button for added functionality, but we haven’t heard much on its release date in the time since. It seems, though, that the release is approaching.

• AAWireless 2 quick look: How it compares to the original Android Auto adapter [Gallery]

Through its changelog, AAWireless has announced a new firmware update rolling out to the original adapter which, among other things, adds support for AAWireless 2.

The 4.0.0 update brings software support for the sequel adapter, signaling that its launch may be coming relatively soon.

Another key hint that AAWireless 2 is coming is that this update enables support for showing a purple LED when no phones are paired to the adapter, something that we saw in the original teaser for the sequel.

Other fixes include preventing phones from switching on head units that cause the adapter to reboot when stopping Android Auto or CarPlay, fixing developer mode, and a couple of improvements when running Android Auto over CarPlay (on cars that don’t already have wired Android Auto support).

[4.0.0]
General:‍

• Add AAWireless TWO support
• Make LED go purple when no phones are paired
• Fix phone switching on head units which kill USB power (thus make AAWireless reboot) when stopping Android Auto or CarPlay.

Android Auto

• Fix developer mode on newer headunits

Android Auto over CarPlay

• Touchpad tweaks
• Fix phone call audio with multiple phones paired

This update is rolling out to the existing model. AAWireless 2 isn’t on sale just yet, but is likely just around the corner.

The original AAWireless is currently on sale for $65.

9To5Google

 

[Nairrk]

Google Maps on Android Auto adds an easier ‘Add Stop’ button

Google Maps is picking up a couple of new features on Android Auto, with a new and much easier way to add a stop on your route.

The Android Auto version of Google Maps is occasionally lacking features. For instance, we’ve been asking for incident reporting on the platform for years now, and it’s only just now finally coming (or at least, it’s supposed to). But there are some other, smaller things that haven’t been available until now.

One of those that’s quietly rolled out in recent updates is an “Add Stop” button for Google Maps on Android Auto.

When selecting a new location to navigate to, Google Maps will now show a prominent “Add Stop” button underneath the location details, as pictured below. This was highlighted by Hipertextual and we’ve since confirmed that it’s available with the latest updates (though it’s likely not tied to the Android Auto v12.9 release currently rolling out in beta). We’re not quite sure exactly when the button was added, though, but it’s fairly recent.

The ability to add a stop on Android Auto has been available for a while by voice command, but it’s not easy to do it via the touchscreen. This new button, which appears during the timer before navigation actually starts, provides a very quick and easy shortcut.

9T05Google