The app has been improving over time, however, Google also offers a similar experience with Google Assistant and its Driving Mode that arrived in our country, without many even knowing it, a few months ago. For this reason, now, to avoid working on two almost identical systems, the company has opted for the most radical decision, to end Android Auto.
Goodbye Android Auto, hello Google Assistant
With the goal of working with a single global Android experience for cars, Google confirmed to 9to5Google that Android Auto will be abandoned on all those phones running Android 12 in favor of the Google Assistant car mode: For those who use Android Auto in compatible vehicles, this experience will not stop there, but those who do so via the Google app , they will be redirected to the Google Assistant car mode.
Starting with Android 12, Google Assistant Car mode will be the integrated mobile driving experience. We have no further details to share at this time.
The good news is that Google Assistant Car Mode is not much different from what we already know. In fact, it is easier to use and is present in a much larger number of smartphones, since it is a native application, even having a dedicated button on some devices. The negative part is that once again users will be forced to make use of an assistant that perhaps listens and knows much more about us than we think.
How is the assistant’s car mode
The integration of the assistant with the car is done through Google Maps, the app that we usually use to guide us on our routes on the road. While driving using the company’s navigation app, we are given the opportunity to check notifications, view messages, make calls or control music playback, all with our voice and from Google Maps itself.
To configure it, you must enter the Google Assistant Settings and, in the search bar, select “Transport”. On this screen, at the bottom, you will find the menu of “Driving mode”. Grant the requested permissions and you’re done. The mode will work automatically when using Google Maps.