It’s now easier to unlock phones when connected to Android Auto

Safety has been the main priority for Android Auto team right from the beginning. And while that’s all well and good, there are some features that don’t take into consideration common uses while on the road. One of them is that users are basically locked out of their devices when connected to Android Auto. But a common complaint about this is that a lot of drivers will hand their smartphones for passengers to use the phones. This method is definitely faster and safer than the driver having to use voice commands on the phone. Thankfully, Google has included a Swipe to unlock feature to make it easier to use these devices normally. It’s available for version 2.9 and 3.0 and is already confirmed to be working inside a connected car that’s in motion. Of course, we still advise you to drive safely and responsibly and don’t attempt to use your phone while driving. Pull over and then use your smartphone.

Source: Android Police

Android Auto tweaks user interface a bit with rounded icons

A minor update came to Android Auto recently outside of last month’s design refresh. This time, Google has rounded off the corners to its icons. Twitter user Derek Ross spotted the change where he saw almost every box on the home page and app switcher with round corners. It now resembles the look of your Google Feed, which is perhaps Google’s way of uniting its UI across its different platforms. This new look is rolling out to Android Auto now, so you might see the change head your way soon.

Source: 9to5Google

CES 2018: Google Assistant starts rolling out to Android Auto users in the US this week

Feeling a bit confused? You aren’t alone. Apparently, the voice assistant on Android Auto only makes use of Google Voice search and not Google Assistant, which we’ve been using in our phones and other smart devices. It’s only this week that Google has begun rolling out the smart assistant to its Android Auto platform in the U.S first. What this means is you could get a more consistent experience using Assistant no matter what device or Android platform you’re using. It should also make it easier to do things like check the status of your car as well as control certain things like, say, locking doors. It’s already available for vehicles from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Hyundai and coming soon to Kia and Fiat Chrysler.

Some of the upcoming features users can expect include “able to reserve a parking space with SpotHero or order your favorite handcrafted drink or food from Starbucks—all from the road.” But as Google says, these Actions are limited to voice-only features and should be kept as “voice interaction and sounds simple and not too jarring or distracting.”

Source: 9to5Google

Nissan has four 2018 models compatible with Android Auto

If you’re interested in getting a new vehicle with Android Auto compatibility, Nissan has four models that have been included into the fold. These are the Altima 2018, Leaf 2018, Maxima 2018, and Rogue 2018. These were announced back in September or October but have just been added to the official list on the Android Auto site. These four cars support both Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Depends on where you’re from, this feature could be part of the basic package or you might have to ask your dealer for the option.

Source: Android Police