25/03/2015
After unveiling Android Auto in June and distributing developer APIs in November last year, Google on Tuesday launched a consumer version of the Android Auto app on Google Play.
The Android Auto app is compatible with Android 5.0 Lollipop and higher devices, Pioneer head units/ dashboard products. At present, Android Auto is only supported for users in the US, UK and Australia, and Google is looking to add more partners soon.
Google's Android Auto platform essentially brings Google Now and Google Maps to the car's dashboard. With the app connected to cars' dashboard/ head units, users get turn-by-turn navigation, traffic information and more via Google Maps. Users can send and make calls, ask for Google Now cards via, and play music using voice commands, notes the Google Play listing.
Google's Wednesday update cycle for apps has brought new features for Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, YouTube, Quickoffice, Maps, Play Music, and Inbox by Gmail.
With the update, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps have got the ability to go full screen during scrolling. Users can now double-tap on the current document or once on the Material Design-themed pencil at the bottom-right corner to edit the document.
For the Quickoffice app, Google has updated the Quickoffice app to limit its functionality before finally taking it away from users. The app now uses individual Google Docs, Sheets, Slides apps to edit documents, and if none of the individual apps is installed Quickoffice notes that it is no longer supported, and has been replaced by Docs, Slides, and Sheets apps, prompting users to download them.
For the YouTube app, the updated version 10.10 brings a new 4K video search filter, some filter options for video uploaders, as well as some changes to the video editing interface.
For the Maps apps, Google has updated the Maps app to version 9.6, bringing new toggle in the Navigation settings menu that will allow users to choose between turn-by-turn voice navigation through the device's speakers or via a Bluetooth connection and some design tweaks to the app.
With Google Play Music version 5.8.1836R, Google has brought the YouTube music videos in the app's search results. Users can also see all albums in My Library without the need to tap on More.
The Inbox by Gmail app version 1.4 available on Google Play now reportedly allows Google Apps users with invites to access the service. Google hasn't yet announced anything regarding the same.
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Android Auto extends the Android platform into the car in a way that's purpose-built for driving. Learn more at: http://www.android.com/auto/
