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Android Auto is one of the coolest things Google is doing right now, but it’s also one of the most difficult things to try for yourself. In order to use Android Auto you need a phone running Lollipop and an expensive aftermarket head unit for your car. Why should we have to buy a display to put in our vehicles when we already carry a display around with us everywhere?
Many people have complained about the fact that Android phones can’t display the Android Auto interface. All you would need is a simple car mount and it would work just the same. That’s exactly what you can do with a new app called AutoMate. The app is not official, so there are a few kinks (it launches Maps and music apps externally).
AutoMate gives you easy access to Google Maps navigation, phone, music, and favorite apps for driving. It’s a nice, clean, distraction-free interface to use while you should be concentrating on the road. To give AutoMate a try you’ll need to join the Google+ beta community and then opt-in to test the app from Google Play. Drive safely!
[via Lifehacker]
Ugh!! The Sense Lollipop ROMs for the M8 still aren’t where I want them to be. =.[
But this gives them time. I’m sure eventually I’ll be able to upgrade again.
Give me some reasons for this over Car Home besides that this is more of material design.
Car Home Ultra is great. But I thought I’d take a look. But can’t figure out how to ‘Opt in’, or to what. Searched for Automate on Play, and Android Auto Interface.
Did finally think to try to find Automate on Google+ and did find it there (not in PLay). Clicked the links to opt in, and then to take me to Play to install, and it’s a dead link.
Not overly promising right now ;-0
… Tried again later, and the link came up.
Been using Car Home Ultra for years. Works great! Does everything I need it to do. Has a nice UI. As excited as I get about new Android products, I doubt Android Auto is going to make me buy a new head unit. I wouldn’t mind if it came with my next vehicle purchase though.
AutoMate seems promising from just playing around with it at home. I’m going to test it out tonight on my way to the gym.
I’ll stick with the UConnect system in my 2014 Dodge Journey SXT, it beats this and Android auto as it has more features when connected to my Android devices through Bluetooth.
Even without this app, I very much doubt most android users will buy a car unit just for the new Google car system.
Most people just use their existing phones, a car mount and possibly a custom “car mode” launcher.
That’s exactly what this is, an android launcher that looks like Google Auto.