Jakarta (ANTARA) – Google has removed the “Android Auto for Phone Screens” application with Android 12 in cars.
Instead, drivers can use the Google Assistant driving mode, available in Google Maps, or the native Android Auto interface available in select cars for a driving-friendly interface with an Android phone.
“For those using the experience on the phone (Android Auto mobile app), they will be switched to Google Assistant driving mode,” Google said in a statement, quoted by The Verge, Monday.
“Starting with Android 12, Google Assistant driving mode will be the default mobile driving experience. We have no further details to share at this time,” he added.
Google says that the user driving experience is unchanged for anyone using Android Auto in a compatible car.
Google’s confirmation comes after XDA Developers reported that some users saw a message in the Android Auto for Phone Screens app saying the service was “now only available for car screens” and directing phone users to Google Assistant driving mode as a replacement.
Meanwhile, 9to5Google reports that the Android Auto for Phone Screens app now says it’s not compatible with Pixel devices running Android 12.
Android Auto’s app history is a little messy, but it’s a move that’s been around for a long time.
The story begins in 2019, when Google decided to build most of Android Auto’s features into Android 10 as system-level features, and discontinued previously downloadable apps.
That’s great for anyone with an Android Auto-compatible car, but anyone with an older vehicle will miss out on access to the driving-friendly interface available right on their phone.
Google’s plan for these users was a new Google Assistant driving mode, but the software was delayed, and although it was announced in 2019, it only started rolling out late last year (later expanded internationally).
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Reporter: Arnidhya Nur Zhafira
Editor: Ida Nurcahyani
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