Hey Google, repair android auto

Key Takeaways

Google ought to guarantee a constant consumer expertise between vehicles and telephones for security.
The corporate ought to enhance caller show to announce calls and forestall interruptions.
It also needs to add a toggle to pause audio playback between drives for a quiet begin.

For most individuals, Android Auto, together with Apple Automotive Play, has changed the infotainment system that got here with their automobile with one thing that’s an extension of their cellphone. Whereas we have seen Android Auto flourish, there are just a few areas the place Google might enhance the expertise.

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1 Completely different automobile, totally different expertise

Seamless experiences all spherical

A Mini displays Android Auto on the in-car dash.

Prior to now, one of many arguments I continuously had with Apple customers was in regards to the fragmentation of Android throughout totally different manufacturers. Mainly, with Apple units, everybody has the identical expertise. Whereas I feel that is sort of boring so far as telephones and tablets go, I don’t desire a totally different consumer expertise between vehicles and Android handsets once I’m driving.

I need all of the buttons and settings to be in the identical place.

I need all of the buttons and settings to be in the identical place. There should not be a studying curve. If I’ve to fiddle about in search of a selected setting or management whereas driving, that is clearly a difficulty. Google has already taken important steps to unify the Android Auto expertise, however the firm might do extra. Since it is a automobile, you’ll need the buttons to be in the identical place for security causes alone. I can not rely what number of occasions I’ve received right into a rental and needed to discover buttons to do issues, solely to repeat the method in Android Auto.

2 Caller show

Someone is asking. Do not look now.

A few of us truly use our telephones for calling, and a few of us older people let our telephones ring out loud.

When somebody calls and their title seems on the show, one factor ought to occur and the opposite I want it did not. Firstly, I wish to hear Android Auto announce the caller by default. Certain, you will get your cellphone to do this, however it’s a royal ache within the butt to alter the setting for every time I get into the automobile after which out manually. Google, please repair this; assist us drivers hold our eyes on the highway.

Additionally, why does Android Auto cowl your navigation app to show the title of the particular person calling you? Can you modify this, Google? A small bubble notification is simply superb, or as I discussed, an audio announcement with the choice to select up or reject the decision together with your voice can be ultimate. Whereas we’re on the topic, the choice to say Reject or Reply, possibly Ship to voicemail, can the brand new Google Gemini AI assist right here?

3 Pause music between drives

Put a cease to it

My different main annoyance with Android Auto entails audio playback. Music, podcasts , or no matter you final performed within the automobile, the audio will proceed while you re-enter it, whether or not you prefer it or not.

Once more, a easy toggle someplace would do wonders.

Whereas that is superb on some events, it may be grating on others. Within the morning, for instance, I desire a quiet getaway. The very last thing I would like is a Formulation 1 podcast blasting very first thing on my morning commute.

Once more, a easy toggle someplace would do wonders.

An iPhone with Spotify open with a pair of headphones plugged in

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4 Hear what I say

Shouting does not assist, apparently

The bottom two buttons in the Gemini Live feature.

I am not American. I’m English. There are occasions when Google Assistant will wrestle to grasp what I say except I say it in an American accent. Should you get an opportunity to fulfill me and ask me to do an American accent, bear in mind I used to be introduced up with Soiled Harry and John Wayne motion pictures. Apparently, Google does not discover this very useful, both.

To be truthful, poor speech recognition isn’t 100% restricted to Android Auto, however the automobile is the place the place I expertise the worst of what Google has to supply, and the place the place accuracy is paramount.