Android Auto

Android Auto lets you benefit from integrating your smartphone and your car. It offers voice assistance for most routine operations when driving, like building routes or making calls. Download Android Auto and enjoy the new quality of driving!

Functionality — 5/5

The app by Google responds to most driver’s needs when behind the wheel. It combines a navigator with voice instructions, an assistant for launching apps, controlling media and making calls, and news alerts on anything happening on your road. It’s also integrated with other apps, like Calendar, and lets you access its events without losing control of your drive.

Design — 5/5

To avoid distracting you from driving, Android Auto offers mostly voice commands. Voice interface is on the highest level, but there are also navigating options, media players, and quick access to third-party apps you may need. Anything is designed to be clearly readable at a glance, to keep you concentrated on the road ahead. There are also little things like automatic switching to night mode you may notice later, but they matter as well.

Usability — 4/5

Operations Android Auto makes simpler include routing, calling, listening to music, getting notifications, and much more. The app makes navigation easier with either Google Maps or Waze, the two services officially supported. It can build your route at your voice command and display it on the screen, dubbing it with voiced instructions.

If you want to listen to some music, you can also launch a player from within the app and command it with your voice. Android Auto is compatible with various player apps and online radio services, including Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and so on. There is also integration with default Google apps, like Gmail, Calendar, Hangouts, phone and SMS apps, and so on. It can be integrated with buttons on your steering wheel.

Alas, we should mention in Android Auto review that the app often turns out buggy and slow at launch. Many drivers report that, and, while driving, one should stay concentrated, so this matters. The next update of Android Auto should remove the current bugs, but it may add new ones.

Cross-Platform Use — 4/5

Of course, the extension meant for Android cannot be installed on any non-Android devices. It’s compatible with car media systems if they are Bluetooth-equipped (that is, with most), and with touchscreen dashboards with Bluetooth. They can be installed in various cars, if not preinstalled, and it changes the entire experience.

In-App Purchases

Like most Google services, this extension is free. It may display ads or collect your data for big data researches Google constantly conducts, and you need to accept that with your user agreement.

The Bottom Line

Android Auto is a great assistant optimized for driving needs, with lots of operations automatized, voice-controlled, or made more visual to require just a glance.

• Graphics 5
• Gameplay 5
• Controls 4
• Replay Value 4

Pros

Voice Assistant integrated;
Most car sound systems supported;
Many third-party services supported, including maps, online radios, and so on;
Integration with car radio touch dashboards.

Cons

The app is a bit glitchy;
Only made for Android.