Google has announced the integration of many apps into its Android Auto car operating system. Waze can be useful, but others like YouTube or Zoom will raise police eyebrows at the risks of distracted driving.
Google has announced the integration of a slew of new applications that will be available for cars equipped with its Android Auto OS. While useful apps for navigation feature in this update like Waze (which now guides you to charging stations compatible with your electric car), there are also apps that will raise eyebrows at police and road safety. .
Indeed, Google has added video conferencing apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Webex to Android Auto: when an important work call can’t wait, this can come in handy. But the search engine also added more video games. Worse still, YouTube will now be available in cars with native Android.
Waze and Google ensure the safety of Android Auto users
Fortunately, the company is aware of the road hazards involved in its in-vehicle applications and takes this issue very seriously. “Managing driver distraction is a very heavy burden” explains Roshan Khan, director of product management at Google in the pages of The Verge. “Many developers don’t know how to navigate the nuances of this.”
Thus, Google limits the use of some of these applications: it will only be possible to watch YouTube on the vehicle’s infotainment system when it is stationary. Phew. Likewise, video conferencing applications will only be available in audio, regardless of whether the car is parked or moving. In any case, most vehicles do not have cameras to record drivers or passengers in videoconference. Moreover, Waze voluntarily disables most voice commands on Android Auto.
Read: Waze wants to warn drivers if they drive on very dangerous roads with a high accident rate
The update will soon be available for Volvo and Polestar cars. Other automakers will soon follow. These are features that will only be available to vehicles with the native Android operating system. So far, the number of automakers releasing cars with Google’s operating system built-in is rather limited, but it still features Volvo, Honda, and especially our national heavyweight Renault. Cock-a-doodle Doo.
