Android Auto Connects Android L and Your Car in 2014

When the Android L Release arrives later this year, you will be able to buy a car that is compatible with Android Auto top connect your car or truck to your Android smartphone like never before.

Android Auto will work with 28 car brands and the first Android Auto cars will arrive in dealerships later this year. Although Google did not announce which vehicles will work with Android L and Android Auto, there are big names like Ford, Bentley, Honda, Chevrolet and many more on the list.

Read: Android L Release Date MIA

Android Auto connects an Android L powered smartphone to your car using a USB cable and takes over the in dash screen to offer fast access to your Android smartphone including maps, apps, music and voice. You can use steering wheel controls and the touch screen to interact with the Android Auto system.

Android Auto Video

The video below shows how Android Auto works in the car. This shows the apps and services that are on an Android L smartphone, controllable using the video and on wheel controls.

Google wants to allow Android developers to make apps specific to your car. We could see these come later this year as part of Google’s overall Android L plans which include Android TV as well. The system uses cards, like Google Now to show you important information, and large touch points for easy use while you are on the go.

Android Auto Maps

Forget an out of date and impossible to use in dash navigation system, and the $800 premium to get it and use Android Auto with Google Maps. This puts the Google Map from your phone on your car’s display for easier access while driving, and you don’t need to stick your Android phone to the windshield.

Android Auto Music

You also get fast access to entertainment from Google Play, Spotify and Pandora so you can stream you music from your phone to your car’s speakers. This includes touch optimized apps and access to what you need while listening to music in the car, which means voice control and quick access.

Android Auto Voice

Use your voice to control much of the Android Auto experience, and take advantage of the voice improvements that Google made with Android over the last two to three years.  the system looks a lot like Google Now, and appears to function similar as well.

Android Auto Apps

Google announced a collection of Android auto apps including, iHeartRadio, JoyRide, MLB at Bat, Pandora, Pocketcasts, Songza, Spotify, TuneIn Radio, Stitcher and Umano. We could see more Android Auto apps this fall.

Android Auto Compatibility

You will need an Android phone running Android L and a car that supports Android Auto. Although there are no specific cars and trucks announced yet, Google announced 28 partners. Some of these companies will sell Android Auto compatible cars later this year.

• Abarth
• Acura
• Alfa Romeo
• Audi
• Bentley
• Chevrolet
• Chrysler
• Dodge
• Fiat
• Ford
• Honda
• Hyundai
• Infiniti
• Jeep
• Kia
• Maserati
• Mazda
• Mitsubishi Motors
• Nissan
• Opel
• Ram
• Renault
• Seat
• Skoda
• Subaru
• Suzuki
• Volkswagen
• Volvo

We can expect to hear announcements from car companies later this year and we will likely see teasers for how Android Auto looks inside cars from each of these companies in the coming months.

Android Auto is a competitor to Apple’s CarPlay which is coming as an option to cars from some of the same manufactures listed above. Although unconfirmed, it looks like car owners may enjoy the option to use either CarPlay or Android Auto so that they are not locked into a smartphone for the life of their car.