The Google blog post released close to the end of last year has spurred discussion on the differences between Google Assistant Driving Mode and Android Auto functions on Android devices. It announced a change that would take place in 2023: Google Assistant Driving Mode will continue to be the only alternative for the user-friendly driving interface, and Android Auto will cease to function on phones running Android 12.
Googleβs updates always aim to enhance the user experience, such as beginning to accept ads for sports betting, online casinos (some of which are here), and daily fantasy sports in Ontario via Google Ads Gambling and games policy Canada country-specifics update in March 2022. Nevertheless, itβs important to thoroughly examine what theyβre all about.
All about Google Assistant Driving Mode
In order to progressively replace Android Auto as an interface designed for use while driving, Google Assistant Driving Mode was launched in 2019 and made available in January 2021. The interface saw additional revisions in the second part of 2021. After that, the Google Assistant Driving Mode features an initial UI thatβs pre-populated with the βWhere to?β navigation frame, music suggestions, and shortcuts for texting or making phone calls. The novel navigational experience simultaneously displays the music thatβs available from applications like Spotify, YouTube Music, and others.
A few months after the release of Google Assistant Driving Mode, Google indicated that the sole interface on Android phones will be tailored for use while driving and that support for Android Auto would end with the release of Android 12. Google said that it would no longer support Android Auto on older Android OS versions as of June this year.
All about Android Auto
Since there wasnβt another app or mode specifically designed to ride in a car, the introduction of Android Auto has filled the need. The Google Assistant Driving Mode app was first temporarily suspended, but when it became clear that smartphones wouldnβt have the new feature right away, Google permitted the Play Store to distribute the Android Auto for Phone Screens app.
Google began phasing out the Android Auto app with the release of Android 10, and after making a mistaken calculation on the end of the Google Assistant Driving Mode, it chose to alter the old layout and activate the new Android Auto for Phone Screens application. It has connectivity with the Google Maps app for navigation, a touch interface thatβs optimized for phone conversations, and an interface thatβs optimized for using some audio programs like Spotify, Google Podcasts, and others.
Is it safe to say that these features share a key option? They undoubtedly share some fundamentals and functions, yet they also differ in some ways.
How to Access These Features?
The manner in which both functions are activated is one of the greatest variances. The Google Play Store is where you must download the Android Auto for Phone Screens app before it appears as an icon on your home screen.
The Google Assistant Driving Mode is more difficult to access. βHey Google, activate Driving Modeβ is the voice command that makes it the simplest to access. The first time it runs, you can click on the icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen to enable the βAdd Driving Mode to home screenβ shortcuts, which will expedite the featureβs future opening. The inclusion of Google Assistant Driving Mode when connected to Bluetooth within the car can also be controlled in the settings.
Google Assistant Driving Mode Isnβt Available in βLandscapeβ Mode
The reality that Google Assistant Driving Mode canβt be used in βLandscapeβ mode is arguably the most significant distinction between the two capabilities. The screen on your smartphone wonβt move no matter how you turn it. Thereβs no problem with the Android Auto for Phone Screens app, and when the smartphone is turned on, the application UI also rotates and immediately corrects.
Do Both Features Support Same Apps?
Many media content applications are supported by Android Auto for Phone Screens and Google Assistant Driving Mode. All applications only display suggested albums, playlists, and other items when in driving mode. The user experience provided by the Android Auto application is a little bit more specialized, enabling a view of all previously organized playlists and media content.
Google Assistant Driving Mode only works with the Google Maps app for navigation, though the Android Auto for Phone Screens app also supports WAZE (also owned by Google).
Region-Related Limitations
This is a crucial factor to consider when contrasting two aspects. The US, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, India, and Mexico are the only nations that can use Google Assistant Driving Mode.
The Android Auto for Phone Screens app is accessible worldwide and doesnβt have these regional restrictions.
Conclusion
In a comparison of two features designed to adjust a smartphone display while driving a car, Google Assistant Driving Mode appeared to be far more appealing in the 2019 announcements. Since its statements were made about four years ago, it actually seems to us that his features are just a slightly inferior version of the Android Auto for Phone Screens applications.
Google had intended for the Android Auto for Phone Screens application to be completely replaced and to have its capabilities adequately replaced. Unfortunately, using Google Assistant Driving Mode prevented this, and a greater proportion of customers will likely regret using the Android Auto option because it was so straightforward, useful, and accessible.